Gilmer’s Chief Registrar extends voting hours this week
Election, News June 13, 2022
ELLIJAY, Ga. – Gilmer Citizens are getting a little extra time to vote in this single early voting week before the primary runoff thanks to a decision by the Gilmer Registrar Office. Almost all of Gilmer is focused in on its Post 2 Commissioner election with the runoff between John Marshall and Tom Whatley.
The runoff election day will be on June 21, 2022. To be eligible to vote in this election you must have been registered on or before April 25, 2022. However, the registrars office did make special note on the county website answering citizens questions on if they’d be eligible in specific situations. The county noted that if you voted Democratic or Republican in the May 24, 2022, General Primary/General Nonpartisan you are eligible to vote in the Runoff. If you voted Nonpartisan, you are eligible to vote in the Runoff. If you did not vote in the General Primary/General Nonpartisan, you are eligible to vote in the Runoff.
And now, for those who were concerned about making time to vote in the day, Advanced voting has been extended in this one week. Normally ending at 5:00 p.m. during early voting such as it did for the primary elections on May 24, 2022, this week will see advanced voting extended by one hour each day, going from 8:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. An extra hour for citizens who work till 5 p.m. or for those who work odd shifts.
When asked why she extended the hours, Chief Registrar Tammy Watkins said, “We just felt that since there was only one week of early voting that giving an extra hour for voters to get off work at five and be able to vote would be good.”
With the other local races decided already, there is only the Post 2 Commissioner race and some state democrat positions on the ballot. Early voting occurs at the Gilmer County Board of Registrar, 1 Broad Street, Suite 107, Ellijay, GA. For those voting on election day, normal precincts will be open.
Election Results for Gilmer’s County Offices – May 24 Primary
Election, News May 24, 2022
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 election voting turnout stays above 65 percent
Election, News January 12, 2021
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.
Voter turnout is high as Gilmer extends one precinct tonight
Election, News January 5, 2021
GILMER COUNTY, Ga. – Gilmer County Chief Registrar Tammy Watkins is reporting high voter turnout to each precinct just as expected during today’s election.
While runoffs like this are not usually very busy with fewer people coming to vote and with fewer offices on the ballot. Gilmer only has three choices to make on their ballots today for offices. Despite the usual trend, however, Watkins said, “We’ve been really busy today. I think we’re going to have a good turnout.”
This is continuing from the higher early voting turnout the county saw in recent weeks and in the final days preparing for today’s election.
Watkins previously predicted a higher than normal turnout for such an election, but did also say that she did not expect the same numbers that Gilmer saw in November’s presidential election.
Watkins said the day has progressed smoothly with only one major issue and a few recurring items such as people having requested early voting ballots but changing their minds and showing up today to vote in-person.
Watkins did say that if citizens have already submitted their absentee by mail ballots, they will not be allowed to vote today, but for those who requested ballots but did not submit them, they must go through a process to cancel and void the allocated early ballot at the precinct as they show up to vote in-person.
The major issues that Watkins reports was an error at the Town Creek voting precinct. Due to an error on the poll pads, the precinct had a 40-minute time period under maintenance after polls had opened. Officials fixed the error and returned to business with Watkins saying that they did not have to turn anyone away at the precinct. She did note that one person was reported to have left during the issue, but said they would return later in the day.
Because of the issue, Watkins said that they must extend the precincts open time until 7:40 p.m.
With Town Creek staying open later, it could delay results a little bit, but Watkins said there is no reason to believe that the results will not be finished and counted tonight.
Elections prepares for Tuesday amid challenges
Election, News January 3, 2021
ELLIJAY, Ga. – Gilmer County is preparing for Tuesday night’s runoff elections despite no local races being decided this week. This is also coming amid challenges and setbacks continuing in the face of the COVID outbreak.
According to unofficial sources, the just over 6,900 early votes were cast in person and the final day of early voting saw the longest line of this runoff election for Gilmer County, stretching down the stairs and back down the sidewalk towards the corner of the courthouse building similar to what was seen in the main election.
This all comes in addition to news of an outbreak of COVID in the office. Reports are coming with confirmation that Chief Registrar Tammy Watkins tested positive. Other positive tests have been reported but not confirmed.
Citizens have praised the Registrar’s Office for their work in the early voting process saying that it has gone smoother and faster than they noticed in the main elections in November. The office has also worked in conjunction with the Gilmer County Probate Court office to perform two different recounts of the November elections.
Rumors are circulating that the Probate Office may close its doors to the public during their vote counting just as they did in the previous election. While the counts were performed in office just as the have been before, Probate Judge Scott Chastain messaged FYN before the election night saying that he would not be reporting results in person in the office as he has done previously. However, this time, no message has come as of yet from the Judge confirming if he will have the offices open to the public.
Election night for the runoff is Tuesday, January 5, 2020. Citizens are encouraged to visit their voting precincts on the day of election as in-person early voting is now closed.
Early voting running smoothly despite some questioning software
News December 16, 2020
ELLIJAY, Ga. – Once again, Gilmer County is returning to the ballot box for the early voting procedures for the 2020 elections, though this time addressing the runoff elections.
With the actual election day in January and early voting continuing through the end of 2020, Sherri Jones, boardmember of the Board of Voter Registration and Registrar for Gilmer County, said that the lines have been going smoother than in November. Sharing with FYN an update, she noted that many citizens have commented on the easier and quicker progression through the lines.
A small line forms as voters wait to enter the Registrar’s Office for in-person early voting in Gilmer County.
Jones said the staff has stayed very busy with three check-in stations processing voters and five voting machines in operation. She also noted that they have run four check-in stations if a line starts to build up as well. This is not any different as Jones said they operated similarly in the November Election.
However, Jones said a smaller ballot helps some as people are spending less time on the machines deciding and registering their votes. As they have gone through their first two completed days of operation in early voting, Gilmer saw 576 early voters on Monday, and 601 early voters on Tuesday. As they near completion of their third day, Jones said they have audited their lines and operations several times, never seeing more than a maximum of 15 minutes waiting in line.
But in almost three days, the in-person total of 1,637 in-person voters are only a third of the story. Jones said that between the state and county, they have 3,368 registered ballots in the mail locally and another 42 ballots sent digitally to those in military service overseas.
With only 15 minutes wait-times reported, Gilmer’s voters and registrars are both pleased with way the runoff election is performing in the opening days of early voting.
These are being returned via mail or through the ballot-box drop-off in front of the courthouse. Processing these comes with its own challenges as officials must register the ballots, confirm signatures, and, in some cases, re-mail confirmations. Jones said that a few of their by-mail ballots have had to have confirmation forms sent out to re-affirm signatures that may have been questioned or rejected. Jones said that, for example, they cannot accept ballots signed by a spouse. Citizens voting by mail should keep an eye out just in case they might be one of the few needing to sign a secondary form.
However, with all the normal challenges of operating the early voting process, Jones said the biggest issue they have faced so far is faith in the machines.
Jones said that they have had several people questioning their votes and the Dominion software used in counting them.
She said the office is assuring the public that they have confirmed the operations and counting software after having gone through the November Election, an audit and hand-counted-recount of that election, and a second recount of the ballots through the machines. All of which matched “to the ‘T,'” according to Jones.
They are continuing early voting through the next two weeks until New Years as the office is remaining open except for the recognized holidays. As previously reported from Chief Registrar Tammy Watkins, as of now, early voting will be closed on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day, December 24 and 25, as well as for New Year’s Day, January 1.
Collins speaks in Ellijay on Bus Tour
Election 2020, News October 21, 2020
ELLIJAY, Ga. – Traveling across North Georgia today, U.S. Senate Candidate Doug Collins spoke to citizens at the Piedmont Community Center in Ellijay alongside George Papadopoulos and David Ralston.
The event is part of a campaign Bus Tour as Collins continues working toward the November 3 election day. In addition to Ellijay, Collins also stopped in Jasper, Blue Ridge, and Calhoun today.
Ralston spoke of the election and the importance of standing against the “other party” and their agenda. He spoke about the state government and budget cuts amid the pandemic as he called out members of that other party as the majority voting against an 11 percent pay cut for themselves to, as Ralston stated, “participate in the pain that other Georgians were feeling.” He called out the other party for not supporting law enforcement with the majority voting no to a bill in support of law enforcement.
David Ralston, left, and David Collins, right, were two of the three speakers at a campaign event in Ellijay, Georgia, on October 21, 2020.
Collins started his speech by saying he was fired up to be “thirteen days away from Donald Trump for four more years.”
With the campaigns entering their final runs, Collins addressed the issue of campaign ads and the $35 million spent by Loeffler in her campaigns. Collins stated, “She may already be up to $35 million, but I’m up to 6′ 4″, about 195 pounds, and I’m full of fire and fury and I will not back down.”
Papadopoulos also spoke on behalf of the Collins campaign saying that this was the candidate to fight. Someone to fight against the deep state and against the far left. Calling for vigilance, Papadopoulos pushed everyone to get out and vote in support of the campaign and to not take anything for granted as he said about the competition, “They’re going to pull out the dirty tricks.”
George Papadopoulos speaks about the Doug Collins campaign and the November Election during a campaign event in Ellijay, Georgia, on October 21, 2020.
The push to vote was echoed by Collins as he said that voting isn’t a single person issue. He urged people to gather others, to group up and not just go vote yourself but to take friends and family, too.
Collins said that people in this area know him. They know the truth in spite of lies and misinformation that he says many of the ads against him are filled with. He later told FYN in an interview that he feels that her push towards ads and tv campaigns is her only recourse as she doesn’t know or spend time with North Georgians. Collins said her media-focused campaign allows her to control the narrative, something you cannot do in a room with 100 people.
Collins said his campaign is a different style as he wants to get out and meet the people and let them ask their own questions of him.
Early Voting gets massive first day in Gilmer
Election 2020, News October 14, 2020
ELLIJAY, Ga. – With the presidential election less than a month away, yesterday saw Gilmer County’s first day of early voting with lines stretching far out the door and down the sidewalk in front of the courthouse.
Voters line the street on Tuesday, October 13, 2020, as Gilmer holds its first day of early voting for the Presidential Election.
According to Chief Registrar Tammy Watkins, the county saw a total of 470 people vote early on the first day.
This is no shock, however, as the Registrars Office also reported record breaking turnouts this year in the June elections. At the time, Registrar Sherri Jones said that Friday, June 5, 2020, the final day of early voting, was their busiest day of the entire cycle.
However, that busiest day ended with 161 voters casting their ballots. This Presidential Election is already shattering any expectations from citizens and authorities. The line stretched long well past noon yesterday, and was wrapping around the square today as citizens lined up in the opposite direction.
Early voting has also taken up extra space. The Board of Commissioners, amid budget meetings this week, held their meetings in the Jury Assembly Room. While most of their meetings are being held there currently, due to needs for Social Distancing amid the Coronavirus, they also said their conference room is being used by elections and office staff as the early voting machines are spreading out through the Registrar’s Office to supply enough machines for early voting while also maintaining the same Social Distancing guidelines.
Gilmer’s new absentee ballot drop off waits for the cement to dry for its new location in the courthouse parking lot.
Citizens don’t seem to mind as some, who have never voted, are showing up for the first time ever. One person, who declined to give his name, said he searched and registered this year just to vote against those he saw as attacking the president and the current office.
Gilmer is also adding a new drop-off box this week for absentee ballots. Set in the parking lot of the courthouse, the new box is to be bolted into the ground allowing those dropping off ballots to not have to wait in line.
Watkins said in a meeting with the commissioners last week before early voting that absentee ballots could also be seeing minor issues with some as they originally request an absentee ballot or are on a rollover absentee list, but want to cancel their absentee ballot and vote in person.
Watkins explained that this happened in the last election as a large number of ballots request forms were sent out.
Additionally, if a request is marked with certain health or physical disabilities, these people can be put on a rollover list for absentee ballots as well.
Gilmer’s early voting line stretched down the sidewalk and around the corner of the Courthouse’s parking lot to enter the Registrar’s Office to vote.
While not an issue to handle and fix, the massive turnout already seen will inflate problems in this election as staff are keeping up with the number of people while also dealing with the usual corrections and details that come normally with early voting.
With no clear number on the amount of absentees that could be since we are so early in the cycle, the first day of early voting nearly tripled the busiest day from the last election. As the campaigns continue and more people find time to go to the Gilmer County Courthouse, 1 Broad St., in Ellijay, the numbers are looking like they will only go up from here to shatter previous records in early voting for the county.
Gilmer County August 11 runoff election returns – FINAL
News August 11, 2020
GILMER COUNTY, Ga – The polls have closed for the August 11 runoff election. To review the unofficial election returns for your local, state, and federal races, check out the list below. Please remember all the results are unofficial until certified by the Secretary of State.
Probate Judge Scott Chastain said he will be reporting results in sets tonight as opposed to individual precincts. With this change, readers should stay tuned as FYN will not be providing single precinct updates for Gilmer as we usually do. However, we will provide instant updates each time the results are reported.
With a mechanical error being worked on, the final tallies are being delayed in Gilmer’s election. According to Probate Judge Scott Chastain, they are working on the issue but have attempted to run mail in ballots twice without success. Mail-in ballots total 1,785 ballots according to Chastain. With the Magistrate race at a 220 difference, there is still a chance for this race to go either way.
Precincts: 100% reporting
COUNTY
Chief Magistrate Judge
Republican
Reagan Griggs Pritchett – 2,338
Kevin “Troop” Johnson – 2,584
FEDERAL
U.S. House of Representatives District 9
Republican
Andrew Clyde – 2,815
Matt Gurtler – 2,098
Democrat
Devin Pandy – 398
Brooke Siskin – 187
To see the state election returns, click here. This article contains the overall race winner and identified runoffs for State House, State Senate, U.S. House, and U.S. Senate in FYN’s coverage area.
The General Election is scheduled for November 3 as well as the jungle primary for Senator Kelly Loeffler’s seat.