2021 marked the sudden deaths of Cornelia City Councilman Wesley Dodd and Clarkesville City Councilman Steven Ward. As their cities and fellow councilmembers continue to grieve their losses, government moves on, and their empty council seats must be filled.
In the City of Cornelia, Jeff Wilson was appointed in October, about a month after Dodd’s passing, to serve as the Cornelia Ward 1 commissioner until an election could be held. That special election will be held Tuesday, March 15.
Early voting for that election will begin Feb. 21, starting at 8 a.m. and going until 5 p.m. Monday through Friday until March 4. Saturday voting for the election will be on Feb. 26 and March 5 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., and advance voting will begin at 8 a.m. and run through 7 p.m. March 7 through March 11.
The candidates for the seat include Wilson and Mark Reed, who previously ran for the Ward 1 seat and sought to be appointed to the seat following Dodd’s death.
Click here to view a sample ballot.
In Clarkesville, Steven Ward’s seat sits vacant nearly two months after his death. The council has approved a special election to be held on May 24.
Early voting times have not yet been released.
Qualifying for the election in Clarkesville to fill Ward’s vacant seat will begin at 9 a.m. on Monday, March 7, and end at noon on Friday, March 11. Qualifying fees are set at $18.
