Taxes and local candidates are on the ballot as early voting begins in Middle Georgia

Early voting began Tuesday across Georgia and runs through Oct. 29 in advance of the Nov. 2 election.

While this year’s ballot is far lighter than last year’s — which included a Presidential and two U.S. Senate elections — and next year’s — which will feature a gubernatorial race and Senate election — there are still plenty of reasons to head to the polls.

Voting schedule

Georgians can vote early from 8:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Monday through Friday through Oct. 29. Saturday voting is also available from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Oct. 16 and Oct. 23.

Macon-Bibb County has two early voting locations: The Board of Elections office (2525 Pio Nono Ave., STE 1200) and the Elaine H. Lucas Senior Center (132 Willie Smokie Glover Drive).

The deadline to request an absentee ballot by mail is Oct. 22. The general election is Nov. 2.

For more information, visit the county’s board of elections’ website. To check your voter registration status or request an absentee ballot, visit mvp.sos.ga.gov.

Macon-Bibb County special election

In Macon, voters can vote for or against an “Other Local Options Sales Tax,” or OLOST, in a special election. The OLOST would add a penny sales tax on the dollar for county purchases and services, while allowing for a property tax rollback, reports the CCJ’s Liz Fabian.

According to the county, the additional tax revenue would go to pay public safety and emergency services, road repair, street cleanup, park maintenance and more.

Property taxes collected for Macon-Bibb County would be initially reduced by 5 mills according to House Bill 575, which authorized the additional tax, and then by an estimated 7 mills, more than one-third of the county’s property tax rate. The OLOST would bring in an estimated $30 million a year for the county.

“This would be the largest single property tax reduction in our community’s history,” Mayor Lester Miller said back in April. “The OLOST will generate millions in revenue for our general fund and, because of our geography, we know that more than 70% of it will come from people who live outside of our county.

“It will provide much needed funding for public safety infrastructure and even to begin planning for the second phase of our payscale to ensure we can retain deputies, firefighters, and other first responders.”

Houston County elections

Three city council positions and the mayor’s seat are up for grabs this fall in Warner Robins:

Mayoral candidates

• Randy Toms (Incumbent)
• Stephen Baughier
• LaRhonda W. Patrick

City Council Post 1

• Derek B. Mack (Incumbent)
• Leslie Morales
• Jonathan “Jon” D. Nichols

City Council Post 3

• Angie Eugene
• Scott A. Howard
• Keith Lauritsen (Incumbent)

City Council Post 5

• Clifford Holmes, Jr. (Incumbent)
• Michael Jones

In Perry, the only contested race is for City Council - District 2 between incumbent Robert Jones and William D. Phelps. Centerville’s mayoral seat and two city council seats are uncontested.

Other Middle GA races

In Fort Valley, councilman Lemario Brown is running unopposed to replace current Mayor Barbara Williams after candidate Jefferey Lundy was disqualified for failing to meet residency requirements.

There are three contested city council races in Milledgeville:

District 1

• Collinda Lee (incumbent)
• Torie Stewart

District 5

• Jessica McQuain
• Richard “Boo” Mullins” (incumbent)

District 6

• Steve Chambers (incumbent)
• Daisy Childs

This article includes reporting from Telegraph reporter Tamari Perrineau and Center for Collaborative Journalism reporter Liz Fabian.

This story was originally published October 12, 2021 at 3:03 PM with the headline "Taxes and local candidates are on the ballot as early voting begins in Middle Georgia."