Early Voting Going Well, Says Stephens Co. Registrar

One week of early voting is in the books in the Republican run-off for the Post Two seat on the Stephens County Commission.

Voters in Stephens County are choosing between incumbent Debbie Whitlock and challenger Kenny Yearwood after no candidate got the required 50 percent plus one of the votes in the May primary.

Stephens County Registrar Bill Cochran said his office has been busy during the early voting period so far.

“We have had a very good turnout,” said Cochran. “The first week yielded 476 ballots cast. That includes early, in-person and mail-in absentees and that is exceptionally high for a run-off. I am very pleased with the turnout. We have had no problems.”

Cochran said that his office has had to issue some reminders that since this is a Republican run-off, only certain people are eligible to vote.

“We had to explain that if they voted as a Democrat in the primary, they were not allowed to vote Republican (in the run-off), but Republicans, non-partisans, and people that did not vote in the primary are still eligible to vote in the run-off.”

Early voting continues from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Mondays through Fridays from now through July 22 at the Stephens County Registrar’s Office, which is located in the Stephens County Courthouse Annex on Tugalo Street in downtown Toccoa.

Voters will need a picture ID.

Election Day for the run-off is July 26.

Cochran also reminded voters that those casting a mail-in, paper ballot must return them to the Registrar’s Office by 7 p.m. on July 26.

For more information on requesting mail-in, paper ballots or for any information about voting, contact the Stephens County Registrar’s Office at 706-886-8954.