Election Results for Gilmer’s County Offices – May 24 Primary

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Election Results, election

GILMER COUNTY, Ga. – FINAL RESULTS: With election night completed, Gilmer will be going into a June runoff for the County Post 2 Commissioner position.

With 39.49 percent of Gilmer’s registered voters voting in the primary, the Gilmer Probate office issued the unofficial results of the 8,743 ballots cast.

County Offices

BOC Chairman
Charlie Paris – 6,664 votes – 100%

BOC Post 2 Commissioner
Gary Engel – 1,346 votes – 17.70%
John Marshall – 3,419 votes – 44.97%
Tom Whatley – 2,838 votes -37.33%

BOE Post 4
Michael Bramlett (I) – 4,089 votes – 50.82%
Michele Penland – 3,957 votes – 49.18%

BOE Post 5
Jacob Callihan – 4,728 votes – 59.83%
Sam Snider – 3,174 votes – 40.17%

Gilmer elections breaks 1,000 in early voting

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Second Amendment, Officials, threat, road, wineries, plan, Restraining Order, early voting

ELLIJAY, Ga. – A little over a week has passed since the beginning of early voting in Gilmer County. The Election have already seen its first of two Saturdays available for early voting as well.

In this time, Gilmer has broken past the 1,000 voters mark. While not nearly a comparison to the 2020 presidential election in November when early voting saw 470 on the first day alone, Chief Registrar and Elections Manager Tammy Watkins said that numbers are up from the 2018 Primaries as the last major non-presidential election year.

The totals for this year’s election primaries as of Tuesday, May 10, 2022, at 3:00 p.m. were 1,191 early voters who voted in-person at the courthouse and 258 mail-in ballots requested. Those numbers included the 75 voters who voted on the first Saturday for early voting.

The election has also received 108 of its requested mail-in ballots back. This week also sees a major deadline for the election as Friday, May 13, 2022, is the last day citizens can request mail-in ballots for absentee voting. Though the office will accept ballots back after that date, they will not be mailing those requested ballots unless they are requested by then.

This Saturday, May 14, 2022, will also be the last Saturday for in-person Early Voting. Opening at 9 a.m. citizens will have until 5 p.m. to vote. After that, early voting will only be open one more week, from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m., until May 20, 2022.

Watkins stated that much of the process has been uneventful. A definite positive for Gilmer after many Georgia County’s experienced so many issues in the 2020 election. However, Gilmer has been praised in the last two years from local and state officials as one of the best run elections for that cycle. This included no issues on the recounts or audits of that election.

Final day to register to vote and important upcoming dates

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vote

GILMER COUNTY, Ga. – Today, April 25, 2022, is the last day to register to vote in the General Primary Election, Nonpartisan General Election, and Special Election for Gilmer County. But the day has statewide implications as more than just local offices are up for the election date.

Local contested offices up for vote include BOC Post 2 Commissioner candidates John Marshall (R), Tom Whatley (R), and Gary Engel (R), BOE Post 4 candidates Michael Bramlett and
Michele Penland, BOE Post 5 candidates Jacob Callihan and Sam Snider, and Lime Stone Valley Soil & Water Conservation District candidates Ronald P. Cheslock, Michael A. Bushey, and Blake Hoffman.

Citizens can visit the Voter Registration Office at the Gilmer County Courthouse at 1 Broad Street in Ellijay, Georgia, or they can visit Secretary of State’s Online Voter Registration site. The site holds more than just registration, though, as citizens can check their polling locations, provide mail-in applications, and check sample ballots for the upcoming election. The site provides the address in Gilmer County for your polling location as well as providing a Precinct Card that you can print.

With election day, May 23, 2022, fast approaching, some citizens may wish to vote early. Early voting in Gilmer County begins on May 2, 2022 and continues until May 20, 2022. Each day, early voting is available from 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

In addition, Gilmer County is continuing to offer certain Saturdays for early voting as it has done in previous elections. Those dates include Saturday, May 7, 2022, and Saturday, May 14, 2022. These days will be available from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

If any offices require a run-off election, that date is already set for June 21, 2022.

For those wishing to apply for absentee vote, the last day to apply will be May 13, 2022, this will also be the last day that the office will mail an absentee ballot. Gilmer’s Voter Registrar’s Office provides the following information on absentee vote:

To confirm the identity of the voter, the absentee voting application requires the elector to provide all of the following:

  • Their name
  • Date of birth
  • Address as registered
  • Address to where the elector wants ballot to be mailed
  • The number of their Georgia driver’s license or identification card

When you send an application for an absentee ballot, you must include the number from your driver’s license. If you do not have a driver’s license, use the number from your state-issued identification card, which you can aquire for free at any office of the Department of Driver Services or your county voter registration office.

However, if you have neither a driver’s license nor a state ID card, then provide . . .

A copy or photo of one of the following:

  • United States Passport
  • Georgia voter identification card
  • Other valid photo identification card issued by a branch, department, agency, or entity of the State of Georgia, any other state, or the United States authorized by law to issue personal identification
  • United States military identification card provided that such identification card contains a photograph of the voter
  • Employee identification card issued by any branch, department, agency, or entity of the United States government, Georgia state government, or Georgia county, municipality, board, authority, or any other entity of the state of Georgia provided that such employee identification card contains a photograph of the voter
  • Tribal identification card, provided that such identification card contains a photograph of the voter

Or an acceptable document that shows your name and address:

  • Current utility bill

  • Bank statement

  • Paycheck

  • Government check

  • Other government document

First Candidates forum for Gilmer Elections in April

Election, News

GILMER COUNTY, Ga. – The Gilmer Chamber will be hosting the first candidate forum for the 2022 elections in the county. Hosting candidates from the Post 2 Commissioner race and the Board of Education races, the forum is set to cover all challenged races.

Beginning at 6:00 p.m., the event will be held at the Piedmont Community Center on Industrial Boulevard on April 11, 2022. According to the Chamber’s website, Steve Purvis will be moderating the candidates forum. Qualifying for these local elections ended on March 11, 2022.

While the Board of Commissioners Chairman position saw only the incumbent qualify, the Post Commissioner Candidates will be on hand for a meet and greet at the event. The candidates include Gary Engel. John Marshall, and Tom Whatley.

Both Board of Education positions saw opposition in qualifying. Board of Education Post 4 saw the Incumbent Michael Bramlett and Michele Penland qualify as candidates. Board of Education Post 5 did not have the incumbent qualify, but instead saw Jacob Callihan and Sam Snider qualify as candidates.

According to the chamber, this moderated forum will see candidates answering questions about their thoughts and stances on issues that impact the workforce and business in Gilmer County. The Chamber in the encouragement and progress of business and industry in the county. They also works alongside the Greater Gilmer JDA (Joint Development Authority) in their efforts to continue economic development within the county.

A major issue in the county that has risen further over the last two years, workforce housing centralizes as a topic many citizens are looking to explore. Staffing issues have also risen in the area as the state as a whole continues recovering from the pandemic and other political issues.

The forum is open to the public for all citizens to come and listen to the proceedings as each candidate will be given time to speak.

Candidates Qualify for Gilmer’s 2022 Election (FINAL)

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Probate Office, Qualify

ELLIJAY, Ga. – With qualifying ongoing this week, FYN is updating daily with new candidates who qualify for the 2022 election cycle. Qualifiers are coming to the Gilmer County Probate Office this week to register and pay the Qualifying Fees for these offices.

Qualifying Fees were approved in January 2022 by the current Board of Commissioners. These fees were set at $2,550.71 for Commission Chairman and $459.13 for Post 2 Commissioner. Additionally, the board also set Board of Education qualifying fees at $144.

This year, Board of Commissioners Chairman, Board of Commissioners Post 2 Commissioner, Board of Education Post 4, and Board of Education Post 5 are open for qualifying. Every position has seen at least one qualifier so far. Both Board of Education positions will have competitors in the race.

Those who have qualified include:

Board of Commissioners Chairman
Charlie Paris (R) (Incumbent)

BOC Post 2 Commissioner
John Marshall (R)
Tom Whatley (R)
Gary Engel (R)

BOE Post 4
Michael Bramlett (Incumbent)
Michele Penland

BOE Post 5
Jacob Callihan
Sam Snider

Lime Stone Valley Soil & Water Conservation District
Ronald P. Cheslock
Michael A. Bushey
Blake Hoffman

Qualifying has concluded today with these final candidates. From here, these candidates will begin the campaign trail to the May 24 election day according to the Secretary of State’s Office. This is the primary election, but as the Board of Education does not follow the party system and all qualifiers for the Commissioners are of the same party, this will likely be the final election day for Gilmer County Offices.

Gilmer Registrar honored with Frances Duncan Award

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ELLIJAY, Ga. – Gilmer, like the rest of the state and the nation, has gone through quite a lot since the 2020 Presidential Election. From early voting lines and record setting mail-in ballots to recounts and audits, all while monitoring and maintaining security and integrity in the election results. Now, one award is bringing recognition back to Gilmer County among the entire state.

There is no denying the levels of stress this puts on those running the election in the county and counting the results. Especially under an election that is still being scrutinized today.

To perform and succeed in this situation is one thing, but excelling is something worthy of acknowledgement.

award

From left to right, Gilmer Probate Judge Scott Chastain, Chief Registrar Tammy Watkins, and Registrar Sherri Jones pose for a picture with Watkins holding the Frances Duncan Award.

That acknowledgement came this week for Gilmer County and it’s Registrars’ Office. Specifically to the county’s Chief Registrar, Tammy Watkins.

Tammy Watkins, Chief Registrar of Gilmer County was honored by the Georgia Association of Voter Registration and Election Officials (GAVREO), by receiving the Frances Duncan award.

According to Gilmer’s Probate Office, “This award is given to just one person in the entire state of Georgia in recognition for their excellence in elections management.”

Tammy Watkins just returned this week from the GAVREO Conference and training under the Carl Vinson Institute of Government, according to the Registrars Office.

According to the Georgia Secretary of State’s Office, previous to 2020 and the COVID-19 outbreak, Georgia held one of the largest meetings of election officials in U.S. history in Savannah with more than 700 local and state elections officials from across Georgia attending a four-day conference.

Though Ms. Watkins was unavailable for comment, the Probate Office of Gilmer County issued a statement saying, “This is a very big honor and we would like to congratulate Tammy for a job well done. Gilmer County is very fortunate to have Tammy serve as our Chief Registrar and we should be so proud that one of our own was recognized with such an honor.”

Favorito speaks on election ballots court case in Henry County

BKP Politics, Election 2020

The day after the Henry County, Georgia, trial over election ballots, Founder of VoterGa.org Garland Favorito spoke in an interview about the case, current elections, and the process to achieve voter integrity.

A 20-year-veteran of elections and voter integrity since the rise of paperless “DRE” (direct recording electronic) voting machines, Garland Favorito has pushed heavily since the 2020 Presidential Election for voter integrity and elections reforms.

Speaking on the changes in voting machines and the inclusions of Dominion, Favorito spoke on the original issues that citizens and his group raised with Dominion and any other software that records votes through a barcode or QR code. However, over their objections, legislation approve the software.

Now, Favorito speaks out about other key pieces of evidence of election law violations through signed affidavits from Poll Managers handling counterfeit ballots. Specifically in Fulton County and the Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger’s office, Favorito took an Open Records Request to court over seeing ballots casts that was denied by both the county and Raffensperger.

Looking to verify counterfeit ballots, double scans, or other evidence of voter fraud, Favorito is seeking to bring in experts in documentation and forensic examiners to aid him in inspecting Fulton’s elections ballots.

Calling it corruption, Favorito has denounced both Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger and Georgia’s Attorney General Chris Carr for putting in roadblocks to keep his organization from looking at public documents. Georgia’s “Sunshine Law” allows for Open Records Requests submissions to view public documents. Favorito’s basis is viewing these public documents under the allowance for Open Records.

He went on to add that he believes the Secretary of State does not want any investigation that could reveal things that don’t add up, meaning he, as the Secretary, would have a major issue to explain.

During the court case, the judge ruled to turn over the ballot images. Images would be of a lower quality, according to Favorito, who said the quality would not be sufficient to perform the analysis he wants. The simple question he raises is why can he not simply view the original ballots. Yet, Favorito only sees this a step on the path, as he said he wants to return, as ordered, with a more in-depth plan and redoubled efforts to reach the actual, physical ballots.

Favorito calls the case a victory, gaining one of the four things he wanted, the images. But it is not over.

Returning to the case in 34 days, his organization is asking for a visual inspection, a forensic inspection, and the standard election report.

Along a similar note, Favorito commented on Georgia’s SB 202. Favorito called the bill a “mixed bag” of good and bad. While it did allow for public ballot images and elimination of private money, the bill did not provide any protection, according to Favorito, from having to spend thousands of dollars and months in courts to get physical access. He also noted the bill does not provide for forensic examinations of election ballots.

With elections processes the way they are and with Dominion machines still in place, Favorito said he didn’t see how Georgians could feel comfortable with elections under Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger who has attacked election directors in counties reporting machine failures and defends the machines that have failed.

 

County backs off from creating Board of Elections

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ELLIJAY, Ga. – Once again returning to conversations of an election board in Gilmer County, the Board of Commissioners is putting the agenda item to create a board on hold.

According to Commission Chairman Charlie Paris, the BOC will not host the agenda item on every meeting as previously planned. The decision came among the board’s agreement after Paris reported that he thought it best to seek an alternative path due to his investigations and considerations of the board’s make-up.

https://youtu.be/1QElEdxDSLg

Paris said, “When I got to looking around some at Elections Boards, what I found is that yeah almost all counties have them, but a lot of counties are having a lot of problems with them.”

Paris noted Fulton County specifically whose election board is denying legal requests for documents. He also noted reported problems in Fannin County where board members won’t speak to each other.

Paris said, “I don’t believe the two parties can hold civil conversation between themselves nowadays.” Though he noted that he previously believed Gilmer might be one of the few places it could occur, he no longer felt that way.

Acknowledging that elections have grown, Paris said he understood that elections are so minutely watched and that the work is substantially larger than it used to be.

The discussion continued with Post Commissioner Hubert Parker saying he agreed with not moving forward on an election board until the alternative has been studied.

Scott Chastain, Elections,

Gilmer County Probate Judge Scott Chastain

That alternative that the Board of Commissioners agreed to pursue and the Probate Judge Scott Chastain is currently looking into, involves reconfiguring the Probate Office to possibly include some extra staff to “offload” some of that work.

What the Probate Office would use this staff for in off years without elections is yet to be discussed. However, the concept is in very early stages as both entities continue to look for a path forward.

Post Commissioner Karleen Ferguson said, “I think that’s fantastic because that group has done a fantastic job with our elections.”

Paris echoed the sentiment saying Gilmer is among the few counties, in his opinion, that had a flawless election.

With a solid path forward for the commissioners, Paris made a final note that he told Judge Chastain that if there was a push in state legislation to force a Board of Elections, Gilmer would “fight it tooth and nail.”

However, Paris was also quick to note that while he shared this with Judge Chastain, it was not as a threat. Rather he wanted him to know the county’s stance. Paris said the conversation was “not contentious.” He went on to add that Chastain has been very civil in all conversations considering the county’s path forward for elections.

Probate Judge Chastain addresses commissioner questions in email

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Probate

ELLIJAY, Ga. – With the continuing process of such a “major change” for Gilmer County on the horizon, the Board of Commissioners have continued questioning the need, process, make-up, and representation for an Elections Board outside of the Probate Office for the county.

Continuing the discussion this month, Probate Judge Scott Chastain spoke with Commissioners about the board again. However, he had also been answering commissioners questions outside of meetings, too. Delving into the idea, Post 1 Commissioner Hubert Parker had issued questions to Chastain via email in order to garner more information.

Parker asked three questions of the Probate Judge. Upon request, the Board of Commissioners have provided that email to the public. The following are Chastain’s answers for the Board of Elections, in his own words.

What is the problem or situation we are attempting to solve?

One of the problems I am facing is the amount of work that I have to do in my office as the Probate Judge. As the numbers increase here in Gilmer County, the more volume of work I will see in my office. Another problem I face is as an elected official that Is over elections, when I am on the ballot, I cannot have any involvement with the elections. I have to appoint three people and pay them to monitor the elections in my absence but ultimately, if something goes wrong, I am still the Election Superintendent and would be responsible for the outcome. I do not like that nor believe it to be fair. They tell me that I cannot have anything to do with the election but then hold me accountable if something goes wrong. I am attempting to fix a couple of things by requesting a Board of Registration and Elections. I am trying to assure the citizens of Gilmer County that they have someone or a board that can focus entirely on the registration and elections here in Gilmer County. I feel as though my other responsibilities and duties are keeping me from being able to do that. I am trying to restore confidence in our election process by removing the administration of elections by an elected official that appears on the ballot. I am also trying to preserve the right of Gilmer County to create this board on their own without the intervention from the State of Georgia. As I previously stated, it is just a matter of time before every county in Georgia has a board. With 31 Probate Judges left as Election Superintendents and 29 of those Judges wanting it removed from their office now, it is only a matter of time before Gilmer County will be forced to create one and I would rather us have the flexibility to create it now instead of like they tell us to.

How are elections handled now? What is your role and what is Tammy’s role?

I am not sure if you mean specifically or just generally. Right now, Tammy Watkins is in charge of registration and all early voting, including absentee ballots. My role is to over see the election side of it. Most of that will happen the day of election. I am also in charge of all qualifying and filing of the elected officials reports. Tammy does a large portion of that now. Tammy and I proof all ballots, order the ballots, order election supplies, Logistic and Accuracy testing of the election equipment, notifications in the news paper, sample ballot in the news paper, recruit poll workers, train poll workers, secure polling places, deliver all election equipment to polling places, Election Day support for poll workers, election results, upload election results, email election results to the state, pick up equipment from polling places, consolidate the election results, etc. Of course, Tammy and I have a wonderful team of folks to help us do all of this because there is no way one person could do it all. I also prepare a budget each year for elections and I am required to attend several hours of training in elections. Tammy also attends this training. I am also in charge of changing and/or consolidating precincts.

Generally, boards serve as an oversight function and do not handle the daily operations. What role do you think they would play in this situation?

I know that Tammy has several connections with nearby counties that have created boards in the past and I know that there are a few of them that have active working boards. Tammy would not be in favor of just an oversight board. This board would need to be active in the workings of an election. Tammy would have more insight into that than I would. I understand your concern and I respect it. I do not want to create a problem or burden for the county and that is why I am advocating for this board. With the increase of the workload in my office, if the elections remain, I will be forced to add staff in the coming years or worse, I will make a mistake because I am trying to do to much at one time. Both of these outcomes will cost the county more money. Tammy and I are already doing duplicate work at times. Because we are both trying to be sure that elections are ran the best they can be, we sometimes do the same task when it only needs to be done once. We both are responding to emails and phones calls at the same time, we both are trying to fix the same problem at the same time. We both attend training and we both have budgets related to elections. As you know, I have a Probate Judge budget and an Election budget. If there was a board appointed, Tammy could combine her Registrar budget with the Election budget and therefore eliminate one?

Chastain also offered a final paragraph in response. He stated,

I truly want what is best for Gilmer County. If I didn’t I would have just ask the Commissioners for additional compensation or additional staff. I feel the best thing that could be done right now is to form a board of registration and elections and put people in place to protect our elections by having people able to provide supervision 24 hours a day, 7 days a week and 365 days a year. Thank you again for seriously considering this proposal. If you have any follow up questions, please feel free to let me know. I look forward to hearing the discussion tomorrow morning.

As previously reported, the Board of Commissioners have yet to make an official resolution, but have been actively discussing and debating the make-up and the way they would like to create a board, indicating that they are likely to move forward with the establishing of such an entity. The coming months will see more details fleshed out on the topic and should provide a clearer picture on specifically how the county will move forward with this item.

Additionally, the Probate Office is set to finish out this year following up on the most recent elections, should anything arise. Chastain agreed with Commissioners about taking time to create the new Election Board. He did request, however, to have the board in place before the beginning preparations of the 2022 Governor’s race are needed.

Board of Registrars could become the Board of Elections

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ELLIJAY, Ga. – Discussions are continuing amongst the Gilmer County Board of Commissioners and the Gilmer County Probate Office over the introduction and creation of a Board of Elections in the county.

Still hesitant, the commissioners went deeper into talks over the possibility of an Elections Board including make-up and representation on the board. During discussions, the board made reference to representatives from both the republican and democrat parties. However, they did not mention including representatives from third parties in the meeting.

The board did mention third party representation in a previous meeting’s discussion, but did not refresh that sentiment in January through their discussion over the topic. All three commissioners did indicate their hesitation in moving forward quickly with the agenda item, meaning more discussion is likely to come before they have any final or official decisions on the board.

Scott Chastain, Elections,

Gilmer County Probate Judge Scott Chastain

Probate Judge Scott Chastain continued to ask the Commissioners for their consideration and urged the importance of having a Board of Elections in the county, especially considering the major issues the country has seen in the most recent elections. Chastain noted the sheer amount of work involved in elections indicating that it was too much for his office and that he wants to rid the Probate Office of all Elections involvement.

Chastain said in the meeting, “I don’t know that it’s a problem for the citizens of Gilmer County as much as it is a problem for my office.”

He asserted the growing weight of Gilmer’s population and growth, saying that increased growth means and increase in the volume of work for his office during elections.

Chastain also repeated the appearance of possible impropriety of having the elected position of a Probate Judge involved in elections including ones he is running in. He said that in such situations as those he is running in, he has to pay someone to watch over the elections process because he legally can’t be involved, yet he is still held responsible should any issues arise.

January provided a prime example of such a situation where Chastain removes himself from the process. The January 5, 2021, runoff election concluded rather smoothly, despite some early issues with voting machines in one precinct, according to Chief Registrar and Elections Manager Tammy Watkins.

Elections

Gilmer County Chief Registrar Tammy Watkins

Throughout the night after polls closed, as FYN spent the night present in the Probate Office reporting results, Watkins worked diligently with Associate Judge Tracey Teague and members of Elections, the Probate Office, and Registrar’s Office. Much of the staff was present, with 6 people counting absentee ballots and four others running the counting machines. Yet, Judge Chastain did not appear.

Chastain recently appointed Associate Judge Teague for exactly such situations. As stated in previous Commissioner Meetings and the 2021 Budget meetings, having an Associate Judge would cover situations when Judge Chastain is unavailable due to trianing, meetings, or other circumstances. This came partially at the suggestion of the Council of Probate Judges as many Judges were being quarantined or sent home due to positive COVID tests and exposures, including Judge Chastain.

As the elections superintendent, Probate Judge Chastain is more of an overseer to the elections process with staff of the two offices being the ones who do the counting and processing.

Discussions continued amongst the commissioners and Chastain with indications pointing towards the county going forward with the creation of an elections board. However, rather than rushing through local legislation to put this in, Commission Chairman Charlie Paris said that they will likely take the time to fully flesh out the creation of a board and all the details involved before taking it to state representatives to be put into local legislation. Even with this push, indications pointed that with an early enough vote in the 2022 legislation, Gilmer could be converted into a Board of Elections before the Governor’s Race next year.

Elections

Gilmer County Commission Chairman Charlie Paris

Paris went on to say to Watkins that she should take it as a compliment that the board wants to go slow with the process and understand it as meaning that they have been pleased with the handling of the elections and don’t feel the need to rush into a change.

Originally, Chastain came to the Board of Commissioners with two options, creation of an Elections Board or an increase to his stipend for elections work. As such, Watkins was briefly considered to simply take over the Elections Superintendent position in his stead. More recently, the BOC seems entirely focused on a Board rather than a single person.

However, Watkins is still proving to be a top candidate in replacing Chastain in some form. Looking at other counties, it was noted during the meeting that some have the Chief Registrar as Chairperson of the Board of Elections, others have the board selecting the Chief Registrar who operates under that board.

Some comments even seemed to point that the county could consider consolidating the Board of Registrars into the Board of Elections, but, again, details have not been fully confirmed or set on how Gilmer County will create theirs.

The fact is, counties all across Georgia have created and operate their boards in many different fashions. A fact not lost on Gilmer’s BOC as they acknowledged early in the meeting that if the state moves to force every county to adopt a Board of Elections, they could create required standards or structure.

Moving forward, each of the commissioners noted how important or how big of a change this will be for Gilmer County. While it was said that citizens will not see any difference in polls or operations from their point of view, it will entirely change how Gilmer County runs its elections and how it operates internally during the process.

As always, citizens are welcome in the Commissioner’s monthly meetings as well as directly contacting the office of the Board of Commissioners.

Gilmer election voting turnout stays above 65 percent

Election, News
Voting

GILMER COUNTY, Ga. – As many expected and even publicly stated, Gilmer County did notice a drop in election voting turnout from the November Presidential Election to January’s Runoff Elections.

However, that drop has many surprised at how little the drop was. November saw 16,576 people cast their votes through one of the four voting paths including Election Day Precinct voting, Advanced in-person voting, Absentee by mail voting, and provisional ballot voting.

January saw 14,847 people vote in the county through those paths.

That equals 74.45 percent of the population in November and 65.17 percent of the population in January according to the Gilmer County Registrar’s Office. Only a 9.28 percent drop. This percentage comes from the Registrar’s records of Registered voters which also increase between the two elections from 22,264 in November to 22,781 in January.

January saw more people voting on Election Day with 5,601 compared to November’s 4,907.

January did see less in-person voting and absentee by mail with in-person reaching 6,292 (November – 8,150) and absentee reaching 2,949 (November – 3,506).

As previously reported, the increases have continued to rise throughout the year, some are calling ballot harvesting by one party as part of the reason for the increases, especially in absentee by mail, though it decreased from November to January. Others are simply citing the current times and consequences as the reason for increases.

Indeed, several people have made note that they are first time voters, like James Short who said he voted in the November election for the first time because it is the most important election he has seen in his life.

Meanwhile, the outcomes and ramifications of the elections, suspected fraud, and division among citizens continues spiraling into increasing tension among the nation and it’s citizens.

These hostilities are even affecting local rural counties as neighbor Pickens County recently posted deputies to polling stations during the January Election. The Sheriff’s Office issued a pre-emptive statement beforehand assuring citizens that there was no present threat. However, the did say that the action was taken due to threats received and dealt with in other counties.

The importance and effects that elections are having on people is continuing to be shown in total votes numbers in counties across the nation. Even with a drop in voting in January’s Runoff Election, Gilmer is still a prime example of this with well over half of its registered voting population turning out for a runoff election.

County budget pushes Probate-Elections debate to next year

Election, News
Elections

ELLIJAY, Ga. – Among budget discussions, the County’s Board of Commissioners revisited a major topic of discussion in recent months over elections in the county and what office or board should oversee them.

https://youtu.be/kDYNvZAEpjk

While approving an increase for Tracey Teague as she was appointed Associate Judge, the county has not settled on a decision on how to move forward with elections within the Probate Court Office, Registrar’s Office, and the possibility of an Election’s Board.

While the BOC stated it understands the importance of this subject to the Probate Court, Chairman Charlie Paris questioned saying, “I think the decision we have to make is how important is it to the county as a whole.”

Paris stated that he was speaking only personally when he noted that he has not found an Election Board configuration that he liked for Gilmer.

Additionally, adding an additional Election Board would increase the budget to fund that board. While the Probate Judge, Scott Chastain, receives a stipend for being Elections Superintendent of $4,500, Paris said a full election board would increase above that.

Scott Chastain

Probate Judge Scott Chastain

The board said collectively that they understood the impact and added stress of having the elections in his office as well as some concerns of the running and operating the elections that he also is running for his position in.

Post Commissioner Hubert Parker pointed out some community response as citizens have spoken with him saying that they debated the point saying he knew the elections were a part of the job when he first ran for office.

An alternative to an election board, the commissioners discussed increasing the stipend for Chastain to continue overseeing the elections. An idea Chastain himself brought up in a county meeting previously.

While the entire Probate Office operates and is used for elections through their office, the Commissioners discussed that much of the detailed work and oversight is undertaken by Chief Registrar Tammy Watkins. Elections, in essence, is already overflowing out of the Probate Office into Registrars. However, this is nothing new. Watkins has been working on elections in some degree for years, reaching back into the previous Probate Judge Anita Mullins.

The difference since those previous years has come as Watkins went from simply working on elections, to overseeing large portions of the process as Chief Registrar. Early Voting is completely undertaken in the Registrar’s Office at the courthouse, Watkins has also spoken recently with the second recount that was called for Georgia elections about the work she and staff has undertaken.

Chief Registrar Tammy Watkins

Increasing the stipend for Probate Judge Scott Chastain as overall Superintendent would increase his pay for that process, but would not change much in the office as far as the operations. However, creating an Elections Board would increase more costs for the county as they establish an entire board for oversight.

A comment from Post Commissioner Karleen Ferguson brought up another avenue explored previously by the board as she again questioned appointing another person as Election Superintendent. Previously, Watkins, as the county’s Chief Registrar, was considered to take the position of Elections Superintendent and, possibly, move the stipend from Probate Judge to Chief Registrar. Previous concerns over the election superintendent not being an elected position brought up questions about the position’s responsibility and how they answer to the people.

The commissioners agreed that they understood that the Chastain shoulders a lot of responsibility as the Elections Superintendent, and respected the request for something to be done. As discussion continued, the Commissioners opted to continue and finish out the current elections “as is.”

Moving forward, the commissioners will revisit the conversation in 2021 to take action on the item before the next big elections coming in 2022. Paris said that he wants to look into the subject and revisit the subject on a timetable rather than just leaving the item in discussion at every single commissioner’s meeting.

Gilmer amid statewide recount and audit of elections

Election 2020, News
recount

ELLIJAY, Ga. – Gilmer County and its Probate Court are deep amid recounting ballots today as they join in what Chief Registrar Tammy Watkins is calling both an audit and a recount for the Presidential Election of 2020.

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With employees from the Probate Office, Registrars, and some other volunteers, officials are fully confident in finishing the counting by Tuesday night.

A major stress on certain county offices, this major process has drawn in employees from both the Probate Office and Registrar’s Office to undertake recounting every one of the 16,576 ballots cast in Gilmer County, according to viewers and officials present at the recount.

Begun on Friday, November 14, 2o20, the process is being undertaken in the Jury Assembly Room of the Gilmer County Courthouse. Gilmer Probate Judge Scott Chastain said they used the Jury Assembly Room to allow public access and viewing of the audit, as required by law. However, he said the room also allowed for social distancing between tables and for space so that one table would not accidentally hear someone from the next table over possibly causing some confusion.

Chastain told FYN that the process was going well on Friday, and they have been looking at the progress daily. Scheduled to count through today and ending tomorrow, Tuesday, November 17, 2020, they actually have until midnight on Wednesday to finish the count. This means that if something happens, the county does have a buffer of one extra day just in case.

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Registrar Sherri Jones, left, helps alongside Gary Watkins, right, in the 2020 recount and audit of the Presidential Election on November 13, 2020.

Nearly twenty people at some times helping the process with including some floating staff that comes and goes, Chastain said that eleven core people including the elections review board are constantly working through the process.

Chastain and Watkins are both confident in the speed they have been accomplishing the task and are both fully confident in finishing in the scheduled time.

One of the major points of note in this process, those involved in recounting the ballots are only counting the presidential election. Chastain said this was a concern of his in the beginning. He worried that they would be needing to recount every vote in every race. Instead, focusing only on the presidential race is also helping in accomplishing the recount and audit with speed.

Moving forward, two very different outcomes could mean two very different futures for Georgia. Should the audit come up with different numbers than what the computers accounted for, Chastain said, “When we’re finished statewide, my hope is what the machines said is what we come up with. Because if we have different numbers than the machines, it’s not going to be a good situation statewide.”

recount

A part of the statewide audit and recount, Gilmer County is going through 16,576 ballots through day-of, in-person-early, and absentee voting.

Chief Registrar Tammy Watkins echoed a similar thought saying that the recount could prove to be a test for the election equipment statewide. Watkins has also voiced, in previous interviews, her faith in Gilmer’s elections staff and poll workers and has been happy with the efforts that Gilmer has put forth in elections.

This specific election has seen records broken in terms of those visiting in early voting as well as absentee ballots. Yet, this phrase is beginning to lose some of its impact as Gilmer has repeatedly increased in the numbers this year in each of the election days throughout local, state, and federal offices.

Regardless of what the audit comes up with, some are still concerned that hand counts could become a common thing in future elections with parties constantly claiming instances of voter fraud and suppression as well as other things. However, nothing concrete has been reported yet.

Chastain seeks Election Board instead of Probate Office for elections

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Election Board

ELLIJAY, Ga. – Amid budget talks and election recounts, Gilmer County Probate Judge Scott Chastain is continuing seeking to move elections out of the Probate Office and to an alternative, like an election board.

Scott Chastain

Scott Chastain, Probate Judge of Gilmer County

The issue has been broached in budget talks over recent years as the number of Probate Judges’ in Georgia remaining as elections superintendents has decreased. Chastain has requested that Gilmer’s Board of Commissioners take steps now to move elections to be run by an appointed board.

Chastain commented in the Commissioners November meeting saying, “I think with 23,500, plus or minus, registered voters in Gilmer County and 16,500 or so of those voting in this last election, Gilmer County has risen to the level of population where it is very difficult, I believe, for me to continue to do what I do as a Probate Judge and put on a hat as an Election Superintendent as well. It has always bothered me, too, that I am in control of elections in a county that I run for office. I am on the ballot. To me, that is a conflict…”

Rising debates from the commissioners explored ideas of a three-person-board versus a five-person-board as well as the idea of appointing a new election superintendent that isn’t the Probate Judge. They immediately questioned such a position and its accountability, but did consider options from other public positions either elected or appointed by the county.

Chastain himself suggested at one point that the Board of Commissioners consider creating the Board of Elections within the Registrar’s Office and possibly including Chief Registrar Tammy Watkins on the board or as the superintendent. The sentiment was later partly echoed by Board of Voter Registration member Sherri Jones who offered her personal opinion saying that she would also like to see the elections join with the Registrar’s Office.

Election Board

Probate Judge Sott Chastain speaks to Gilmer’s Board of Commissioners about elections and moving them out of the Probate Office.

Chastain urged the commissioners to take action on creating a Board of Elections before the increasing numbers of counties moving to a board creates state pressure. He said that he wanted to work with the county on building it with them the way they wanted it before a state legislation comes and mandates the move. A direction that he strongly feels is coming in the future and a legislation that he said he would likely support if brought up. It is a sentiment that he feels many other probate judges would share. He also added that he did not, personally, believe that the Council of Probate Judges would oppose it.

Already researching legislations from other counties that have created an election board, Chastain presented this research as well as a plea to reconsider the idea that has seen no fruition to this point. Noting that there are 32 counties left in Georgia that still have the Probate Judge overseeing the elections including Gilmer. He stated that 28 0f the remaining 31 judges (not counting Gilmer) in the state that still oversee elections want it removed from their office.

Chastain said, “It’s a matter of time before, I think, the state does that.”

The board has still not taken action on the subject as it was brought up during Citizens Wishing to Speak section and not on the agenda. However, the Board of Commissioners did look to put the item on the December agenda for further consideration and possible action through options like a new superintendent or an election board.

Gilmer BOC will hold April Regular meeting in person

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ELLIJAY, Ga. – Both cities and counties carry on amid the shutdown, and Gilmer is also moving forward in this time with their April meeting, but with a few changes.

Gilmer has already made changes over March as meetings saw a distancing line in the meeting room, and all meetings have been held in the Jury Assembly Room in the Gilmer County Courthouse. However, this month will see another change as the Board is only sending one agenda. Gilmer’s BOC will still meet is person, as of now, but will not be holding their usual work session.

Gilmer is continuing monitor situations during the shutdown and two agenda items stick out among the agenda as potential ramifications of the nations current situation.

Among the items is listed “Discussion and possible action to grant authority to the Tax Commissioner to waive Interest and Penalties” and “Discussion and possible action regarding the upcoming May General and Presidential Primaries.”

Elections have been a growing topic as we draw closer to May during a Presidential Election year which has, historically, been one of the highest turnout years for elections.

Not holding a work session, the public will be hearing discussion and votes in the same day for April. The rest of the meeting is set to proceed as normal with usual items like Citizens wishing to speak and the financial statement. The meeting will be held on Thursday, April 9, 2020, at 6 p.m., in the Jury Assembly Room of the Courthouse.

Meeting

Meeting

 

 

Current Magistrate Judge Ken Roberts Announces Candidacy for Gilmer County Chief Magistrate

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Current Magistrate Judge Ken Roberts Announces Candidacy for Gilmer County Chief Magistrate

Ken and his wife, Karen, have called the Coosawattee neighborhood home for thirteen years and describe Gilmer County in one sentence: “Friendship with a sense of community.”

Ken’s public service career began with a five-year tour in the United States Air Force, followed by a fire service career in Central Florida, where he retired as Assistant Fire Chief after 25 years.

His public service career continued with the Seminole County Department of Public Safety, serving first as the Public Information Officer, then as County Emergency Management Director, and retiring as the Director of Public Safety. All of these positions involved coordination with county, state, and federal law enforcement agencies, as well as the navigation of county-level government operations.

Ken currently serve as a Magistrate Judge for Gilmer County. He has served the Magistrate Court – which is often referred to as “the People’s Court” – with one simple philosophy: Do the right thing, always. This approach has served Gilmer County well, earned him the respect of the local law-enforcement community, and proven to be especially valuable when dealing with citizens coming to court for the first time.

Ken is running for Chief Magistrate in order to continue applying his philosophy of fairness, respect, and always doing the right thing; and would appreciate your vote.

For more information, visit electkenroberts.com

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