The Henry County elections board approved the special election date for district 2 to occur later this year. The special election will be in November.
The November election coincides with municipal elections. On the ballot will be council positions in each city, and the Locust Grove Mayor.
District 2 Special Election Date
The elections board held their monthly meeting on Wednesday, July 5. During such time, they approved the special election to be on Tuesday, November 7, 2023. The need for a special election arises after Commissioner Dee Clemmons resigned.
Qualifying dates are to be determined for the election. The winner of the special election will serve until December 2024. The seat will also be on the ballot next year for a four-year term.
For the time being, Neat Robinson is serving as interim district commissioner. Robinson was sworn-in before the board’s June 20 meeting. District 2 represents portions of the Dutchtown, Fairview and Stockbridge communities.
September or November
According to senate bill 22 — governing how to fill a vacancy on the Henry County commission — the special election should be on the next available date. For context, state law provides a number of pre-determined dates to hold an election. The next date falls in mid-September.
However, a September election would require elections staff to host a special election while preparing for the already-scheduled municipal elections in November. A runoff, if needed, would be on October 17. This falls during the first week of November early voting. Under such scenario the county would have to run duplicate efforts: requiring separate staff and voting machines for each election.
This scenario was not preferred by staff. Elections board members also shared concerns that two dates in such close proximity could confuse voters. For the aforementioned reasons, the board voted to hold the special election in November.
Featured image shows the Henry County Admin Building. Clayton Carte photo.
Support Local Journalism
Subscribe to MHF News and support local journalism in the Henry County community.
You will receive access to all of our news articles.
