Beverly files November election bill for Macon-Bibb County

ATLANTA -- State Rep. James Beverly has formally filed a bill to reset Macon-Bibb's nonpartisan elections to November presidential election dates, though he lacks the support to make the move.

Beverly, D-Macon, wants to hold elections for Macon-Bibb mayor and county commission on the same dates as presidential general elections because that is when voter turnout is highest.

Now, Macon-Bibb mayor and commission elections are held at the same time as partisan primaries, scheduled this year for May 24.

Beverly's only co-signer is fellow state Rep. Nikki Randall, D-Macon. He would need the signature of one more of Macon-Bibb's five state House members for the first step to passage -- a hearing with the House Intragovernmental Coordination Committee.

"I still want to send a signal to Macon-Bibb County" that voters' voices need to be heard, Beverly said.

He said he is still hoping to get one more House signature on House Bill 978, though he has been pushing the idea for several weeks already and has no takers.

Critics of the proposal, such as Macon Mayor Robert Reichert, have said November elections are a bad idea because that could put runoffs near Christmas, when turnout would be very low.

To contact writer Maggie Lee, e-mail mlee@macon.com

This story was originally published February 17, 2016 at 3:15 PM with the headline "Beverly files November election bill for Macon-Bibb County."