Today is Election Day for Municipal Elections in Martin and Toccoa

Today is the final chance for residents of Toccoa, and residents of Martin, to have a say in the selection of the elected municipal officials that will represent them in the coming four years.

Election day voting for the 2023 Municipal Elections for Martin and Toccoa begins at 7 a.m. today, and residents can cast their vote up until 7 p.m. this evening. According to Stephens County Election Supervisor Brice Carlisle, those who are in line to vote by 7 p.m. this evening will be allowed to cast their ballot.

Voting for the City of Toccoa election will take place at Toccoa City Hall, 92 North Alexander Street. The Toccoa Election is a combination of a special election to fill the seat of Commissioner Jennette Jamieson, who died in April, and a general election for three seats on the Toccoa City Commission.

Michelle Jamieson and Gary Cortellino are seeking election to Jennette Jamieson’s Post 3 seat on the Toccoa City Commission. 

Incumbent Terry Carter is running unopposed for re-election to his Post 1 seat.

Candidates Billy Chism and Ron Matheson are seeking the Post 2 seat, currently held by David Austin, who is not seeking re-election.

Incumbent Gail Fry and candidate Lenwood “Lenny” Cannon are on the ballot for Fry’s Post 4 seat. 

As of the close of the 3-week Advance In-Person Voting period this past Friday, 479 individuals had voted in person in the Toccoa Election, with 7 provisional ballots, and 42 absentee ballots had been requested in the Toccoa election, with 31 of them having been returned. 

In the Martin Election, Harold Alexander is running unopposed for the Mayoral seat, and three candidates, incumbent Mark Gearhart, along with candidates Michael O-Barr and Keith Merritt, are seeking election to one of two empty seats on the Martin Town Council. 

Election day voting for the Town of Martin election will take place at the Community Center, 159 Walters Road in Martin.

As of the close of the 3-week Advance In-Person Voting period this past Friday, 17 people voted in person for the Martin election, with no provisional ballots and no absentee ballots requested.

Headed into election day voting, and accounting for Advance In-Person Voting numbers, Toccoa stands at just more than 7.5% voter turnout for this election, while Martin stands at 8.5 percent turnout.

Carlisle also said that residents can drop off absentee ballots at the Historic Courthouse from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. today.

WNEG News will provide up-to-the-minute coverage of election night results on wnegradio.com and on the WNEG Radio Facebook page, beginning at 6:45 p.m.

To contact the Stephens County Election Office, call (706) 886-8954. To contact the City of Toccoa, call, (706) 282-3225.