Local elections are still three months away, but if you’re considering a possible run, you better decide soon. The qualifying period for Habersham County’s municipal elections opens on Monday, August 16, and runs through noon on Friday, August 20.
There is one Habersham County Commission seat up for grabs and fourteen city council seats. There are mayoral races in Baldwin, Clarkesville, Demorest, and Mt. Airy.
In addition to electing their next slate of officials, voters in Alto, Clarkesville, and Cornelia will also vote on liquor referendums.
Prospective candidates may qualify at the Office of Elections and Registration during the qualifying period. The office is located in the new Habersham County Administration Building at 130 Jacob’s Way, Suite 101 in Clarkesville.
What’s on the ballot?
Habersham County: Habersham County voters will head to the polls to elect a new District 5 County Commissioner. The seat remains vacant since Tim Stamey resigned in April. While the seat is elected at large, only qualified candidates who live within Commission District 5 may run. The winner will fill the remainder of Stamey’s unexpired term beginning November 15, 2021, and running through December 31, 2024. The qualifying fee is $288.
Alto: Three at-large council seats are up for election in the Town of Alto, including Posts 1, 3, and 5 currently held by Carolyn Cabe, Allen Fox, and P.J. Huggins, respectively. The elections are for four-year terms running January 1, 2022, through December 31, 2025. The qualifying fee is $35.
Alto voters will also vote on a liquor referendum to decide whether to allow package sales of distilled spirits in their town.
Baldwin: Baldwin voters will vote in three at-large elections for Post 4 and 5 council seats and mayor. Maartin Venter and Alice Venter currently hold the council seats. Joe Elam is the current mayor. The elections are to fill four-year terms from January 1, 2022, through December 31, 2025. The qualifying fee for both mayor and council is $35.
Clarkesville: Voters in Clarkesville will cast ballots in November for mayor and three at-large council seats. Posts 1, 4, and 5 are up for election. The seats are currently held by E. Lane Gresham, Franklin Brown, and Steven Ward, respectively. The current mayor is Barrie Aycock. The elections are for four-year terms running January 1, 2022, through December 31, 2025. The qualifying fee for council is $18 and for mayor, it’s $35.
Clarkesville voters will also vote on a liquor referendum to decide whether to allow the package sale of distilled spirits in their town.
Cornelia: Cornelia voters will elect two city council members this year. The seats up for election are Ward 2, currently held by Janice Griggs, and Ward 3, held by Don Bagwell. The elections are for four-year terms running January 1, 2022, through December 31, 2025. The qualifying fee is $72.
Cornelia voters will also vote on a liquor referendum to decide whether to allow the package sale of distilled spirits in their town.
Demorest: In Demorest, the office of mayor and two council seats are up for election this year. Voters will elect all three officeholders at large. The council seats are currently held by Shawn Allen and Jim Welborn. The current mayor is Rick Austin. The elections are for four-year terms running January 1, 2022, through December 31, 2025. The qualifying fee is $100.
Mt. Airy: Voters in the Town of Mt. Airy will elect two council members and a mayor in November. All three will be elected at large. Patrick Ledford and Ray McAlister currently hold the council seats. Longtime Mayor Gary Morris has said he will not seek reelection. The elections are for four-year terms running January 1, 2022, through December 31, 2025. The qualifying fee for mayor is $35.00 and for council, it’s $20.00.
Dates to remember
This is the first local election since Georgia lawmakers passed the state’s controversial new voting law. Here are important dates to remember regarding the November 2, 2021, election:
- August 16 is the first day to submit an absentee ballot application.
NOTE: Under Georgia’s new voting law, you may submit an absentee ballot application no earlier than 78 days and no later than 11 days prior to the election. Previously, a voter could ask for their ballot as early as 180 days before an election and as late as the Friday before Election Day. Click here to download the new absentee application form or contact the county registrar at 706-839-0170 for more information on obtaining an absentee ballot. - October 4 is the last day to register to vote.
- Absentee ballots will be available beginning October 12.
- Early Voting will be held from 8 a.m.-5 p.m. October 12-22 at the Ruby Fulbright Aquatic Center in Clarkesville
- October 22 is the last day to submit an absentee ballot application.
- Saturday Voting will be held from 9 a.m.-5 p.m. on October 16 and 23 at the Ruby Fulbright Aquatic Center in Clarkesville.
- Advance Voting at the Habersham North Precinct (Ruby Fulbright Aquatic Center in Clarkesville) and the Habersham South Precinct (First Baptist Church of Cornelia) will run from 8 a.m.-7 p.m. October 25-29.
- All Habersham County and municipal voting precincts will be open from 7 a.m.-7 p.m. on election day, November 2, 2021.
To register to vote, visit the Office of Elections and Registration in person or visit My Voter Page online.
