Early Voting Opens in Habersham County for November General Election

Habersham County voters can begin casting ballots Tuesday as Georgia's three-week early voting period gets underway ahead of the Nov. 3 General Election.

Voters will have decisions to make from the top of the ballot to the local level, with contests for U.S. Senate and Congress, statewide offices and seats in the Georgia General Assembly. Several Habersham County offices are also on the ballot, along with statewide constitutional amendments and a countywide sales tax referendum.

Georgia's advance voting period runs from Oct. 13 through Oct. 30, with two Saturdays included.

Early Voting Begins in Cornelia

For the first portion of early voting, Habersham County voters will cast ballots at the Habersham County Elections and Voter Registration Office, 403 Habersham County Shopping Center in Cornelia.

Voting there will be available from 8 a.m. until 5 p.m. weekdays from Oct. 13 through Oct. 23. Saturday voting will be offered Oct. 17 and Oct. 24 from 9 a.m. until 5 p.m.

During the final week, Oct. 26-30, voting hours at the Cornelia location will be extended to 8 a.m. until 7 p.m.

A second location at the Ruby Fulbright Aquatic Center, 120 Paul Franklin Road in Clarkesville, will open Saturday, Oct. 24, from 9 a.m. until 5 p.m. It will also be open from 8 a.m. until 7 p.m. during the final week of early voting.

Habersham County's elections office says registered county voters may use either location once both sites are operating. Early voting ends Friday, Oct. 30.

Candidates on the Ballot

The November ballot includes the race for U.S. Senate between Republican Mike Collins and Democratic incumbent Jon Ossoff.

In Georgia's 9th Congressional District, Republican incumbent Andrew Clyde faces Democrat Caitlyn Gegen.

Voters will also choose Georgia's next governor and other statewide officeholders, including lieutenant governor, secretary of state, attorney general, agriculture commissioner, insurance commissioner, state school superintendent and labor commissioner. Public Service Commission Districts 3 and 5 are also on the ballot.

Habersham voters will see Bo Hatchett, Republican incumbent, and Democrat Dave Cooper in the Georgia Senate District 50 contest.

The county is divided between two Georgia House districts. In District 10, Republican incumbent Victor Anderson faces Democrat John Brown. District 32 voters will choose between Republican incumbent Chris Erwin and Democrat Rebecca Sims.

Which House contest appears on an individual voter's ballot depends on the voter's residential district. The Georgia Secretary of State recommends using My Voter Page to view the ballot associated with a voter's registration.

Habersham County Offices

Several county positions are on the ballot without a listed opposing candidate.

Republicans Shelley A. Tullis and Danny McClellon are candidates for County Commission Districts 2 and 3, respectively.

Board of Education incumbents Russell H. Nelson III in District 3 and Darlene T. Hudson in District 4 are on the ballot, along with Joseph Lee Duncan in District 5.

Virgina Webb is listed for Upper Chattahoochee River Soil and Water Conservation District supervisor.

Habersham County has also posted a public notice concerning the withdrawal of write-in candidate Abby Jackson from that race.

Property Tax Relief Sales Tax Goes Before Voters

Habersham County voters will also decide whether to approve a 1% Property Tax Relief Local Option Sales Tax, or PTRLOST.

If approved, the sales and use tax would remain in effect for five years, with proceeds designated to provide property tax relief within Habersham County and participating municipalities.

A Yes vote supports imposing the tax for that purpose, while a No vote opposes it.

The local referendum is separate from the proposed amendments to the Georgia Constitution that voters will also consider.

Before Heading to the Polls

Georgia requires voters casting ballots in person to show an acceptable form of photo identification. Habersham County notes that voters without another qualifying form of identification may obtain a free voter identification card.

For voters planning to cast an absentee ballot by mail, Friday, Oct. 23 is the deadline to submit an application for the Nov. 3 election.

Once early voting ends Oct. 30, voters who have not yet cast a ballot will need to vote at their assigned precinct on Election Day.

Polls will be open from 7 a.m. until 7 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 3. Anyone in line by 7 p.m. will be allowed to vote.

Voters can check their registration, assigned Election Day polling location and individual sample ballot through Georgia's My Voter Page.

Habersham County election information and official sample ballots are available through the Habersham County Elections and Voter Registration Office.