The colorful signs springing up in yards and along fences throughout Fayette County stand as reminders that election season is here.
Behind the scenes, Fayette Election Supervisor Tom Sawyer and his staff are preparing for the much anticipated July 15 local primary.
“The biggest thing I want to get out there is that the deadline to register in time for the July 15 election is June 16,” Sawyer exclaimed.
“We strongly encourage citizens to contact us if they are at all unsure about their registration, or if they have moved or changed names.”
Sawyer expects that several high profile Republican contests, including the four-man race for Sheriff and the three challenged county commission posts, will draw crowds to the polls.
“I believe that because the election excitement is in the air, we’ll have a large turnout,” Sawyer said.
“All 36 polling places in Fayette County will be open on July 15 from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.”
Sawyer also noted that early voting options will again be available.
“We will have four sites open daily the week prior to the election where people can come and vote early to avoid the lines.
“Early voting will be conducted in the Fayette County Commission chambers, the county election office and the Peachtree City and Tyrone libraries.”
According to Sawyer, over 5,000 of the more than 32,000 Fayette residents that voted in February’s Presidential Preference Primary did so in advance.
“If you don’t advance vote, you need to go to your designated polling place. You can find your polling station on the Georgia Secretary of State’s website,” Sawyer stated.
After arriving to the polling place on July 15, each voter’s registration will be verified. Then, the voter will be asked to choose either a Republican or Democratic primary ballot.
“In Georgia, you are not registered by party, so you get to designate if you want a Democratic or Republican ballot in each particular primary election.
“We will have samples of all of the ballots for people to look over so that they have a better idea of which one to choose.”
No Democrats qualified to run for county level offices, but nine of the county Republican races are contested, as is the district attorney position.
With four Republicans challenging to replace retiring sheriff Randall Johnson and three Republicans vying for both the third County Commission post and the Probate Court judgeship, a runoff is a likely possibility.
“If no candidate gets at least 50-percent of the vote on July 15, then the top two vote getters will face each other in a runoff on August 5,” Sawyer explained.
Sawyer also reiterated that to vote in the July 15 primary and the potential runoff on August 5, all voters must register by the June 16 deadline.
Registration forms are available at all of the county public libraries, the elections office and at public assistance offices such as DFACS.
The website where voters can find their designated polling station is http://sos.georgia.gov/elections/polllocator
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