Today is the first day of early voting for Toccoa and Martin municipal elections

Today marks the first day of Advanced Voting, also known as early in-person voting, for the 2023 municipal elections for Toccoa and Martin.

The City of Toccoa elections include a general election for three seats on the Toccoa City Commission, and a special election to fill the unexpired seat of Commissioner Jennette Jamieson, who passed away in April.

Michelle Jamieson and Gary Cortellino are vying for Jamieson’s Post 3 seat.

The Post 1 seat of Terry Carter is uncontested as he seeks re-election.

The Post 2 seat, now held by David Austin, is being sought by Billy Chism and Ron Matheson.

Post 4 incumbent Gail Fry will face Lenwood Cannon.

In the Martin election, Harold Alexander is running unopposed for mayor, and incumbent Mark Gearhart, along with candidates Michael O-Barr and Keith Merrit, are running for 2 available seats on the city council. 

Stephens County Election Supervisor Bruce Carlisle said advance voting for both the City of Toccoa and the Town of Martin will take place today through November 3, from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, at the Historic Courthouse, 37 West Tugalo Street in Toccoa. Advance voting will also be available on Saturday, October 21 and Saturday, October 28, from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Carlisle said voters must bring a valid photo ID such as a driver’s license, passport, or voter identification card to early voting and election day voting.

Audio ballots are available for voters who are blind or have low vision, and there are accessible booths available for voters in wheelchairs. Those who require assistance can ask a family member or friend to come with them to the polls and fill the ballot in with the voter’s choices. 

Carlisle said those who cannot, or do not wish to vote in person, either early or on Election Day, can request an absentee ballot to vote by mail. Georgia voting regulations do not require that a voter provide a reason for the request for an absentee ballot, and stresses that absentee ballot applications do not carry over from year to year unless you are 65 and older and/or disabled. A new application must be submitted each election year.  Applications for an Absentee Ballot for this election will be accepted in the Elections Office thru October 27. You can also request an absentee ballot online at securemyabsenteeballot.sos.ga.gov/s/

Requested absentee ballots will be mailed to voters beginning on October 16. The State Elections office advises, if you request a mail ballot, you will need to  wait for it to arrive and not go to the poll to vote without first contacting the Elections Office to cancel the mailed ballot.  Election officials also ask that, regardless of how the ballot is folded when you receive it, always return the ballot in the standard tri-fold format, as this will aid in efficient and accurate handling of ballots when being opened during processing.

The Stephens County Elections Office must receive absentee ballots before the polls close on Election Day, November 7, to be counted.Election Day is November 7. Carlisle said Election Day voting for the Toccoa general and special elections will be held at City Hall, 92 N. Alexander Street. Martin election day voting will take place at the Martin Community Center. Polls will be open on Election Day from 7:00 a.m. until 7:00 p.m.

For more information, visit mvp.sos.ga.gov, or call the Stephens County Elections and Voter Registration Office at 706-886-8954