Early Voting Starts Today for Run-off

Voters in Stephens County are headed back to the polls this month to decide a run-off election for a Stephens County Commission seat.

Early voting starts today for the Stephens County Commission Post Two Republican run-off between incumbent Debbie Whitlock and challenger Kenny Yearwood.

Stephens County Registrar Bill Cochran said that polls will be open for the next three weeks starting today for voters to cast early ballots in the run-off election.

“The polls will open at 8 a.m. and close at 5 p.m. daily July 5 through July 22,” said Cochran. “Because this is a local run-off, there will be no Saturday vote.”

Cochran went on to say that voters will again cast early votes at the Stephens County Registrar’s Office, which is located in the Stephens County Courthouse Annex on Tugalo Street in downtown Toccoa.

“It is across from the historic courthouse in the old annex building,” said Cochran. “It is the double doors right off the parking lot. Had a lot of compliments from people about the ease of parking and the easy access and we hope to continue to have a good experience with early voting.”

Voters need to bring their picture ID in order to vote.

Cochran said that only certain voters are allowed to cast ballots in this run-off.

“Since this is a Republican run-off, all eligible voters that did not vote as a Democrat in the primary are eligible to vote in the run-off,” said Cochran.

That means those who voted Republican in the May primary, along with those who voted non-partisan and any registered voters who did not vote at all, are eligible to vote in the run-off.

Anyone who voted Democratic in the May primary in Stephens County cannot vote in the run-off.

Election Day for the run-off is July 26.

Whoever wins this run-off between Whitlock and Yearwood has no Democratic opposition in the Fall.

Anyone with voting-related questions should call the Stephens County Registrar’s Office at 706-886-8954.