/General Municipal Elections and Special Elections

General Municipal Elections and Special Elections

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Now, arguably more than ever, it is important that citizens know about their voting rights and be informed about the candidates they will be voting on. The upcoming General Municipal Elections and Special Elections (SPLOST, Alcohol Referendum) will be held on November 5, 2019.

PLEASE NOTE: This is a non-partisan election, therefore the party affiliations of the candidates is not included

The absolute last day to register to vote is October 7, 2019.

Voting Times/Dates:

Advanced voting begins October 14 through November 4. Times for voting are:

  • First two weeks: 8 a.m. -5 p.m.
  • Last week: 7 a.m. -7 p.m.
  • First Saturday Oct. 19: 9 a.m. – 4 p.m.
  • First Sunday, Oct. 20: 12 p.m. – 5 p.m.

Type of Election

Don’t worry. You’re not the only one who doesn’t know everything there is to know about elections. Each one is different.

For this November 5, 2019, there will be the following elections:

  • The General Municipal Elections cover a wide range of candidates, from the Mayoral race, to city council, and school board
  • The Special Elections, which includes SPLOST and Alcohol Referendums

Check Out Your Personal Voter Profile

Another handy tool is to use the Georgia Secretary of State’s “My Voter Page,” which can be accessed here. Using MVP is so easy, you don’t even have to create a profile. Just put in your name, date of birth and voila, it allows you to check on all types of things, including poll locations and even print out your Precinct Card.

NOTICE:

There will be a VSU-backed debate “One Voice. One Vote. The Last Debate” for candidates coming up on Monday, October 28, 2019.

One Voice. One Message. The Last Debate:

SPLOST VIII:

Information about what SPLOST VIII will pay for, click here.

Meet the Candidates!

City of Valdosta

Valdosta Mayor

Brooks D. Bivins

 
Name Here
  • “God is my platform”
  • Has run for Mayor three times
  • Believes that God has a plan and I want us to be part of that plan
  • Increase transparency in city govt.
  • “If God sees fit for me to be Mayor, or someone else, we should all pray for His divine help”
  • Lead from a moral point of view
  • Create more communication with people, work together as team

Kevin J. Bussey

 
Name Here
  • Provide services in a sustainable manner
  • Provide social and economic development
  • Promote a safe and health environment
  • Encourage the involvement of communities

Scott James Matheson

 
Name Here
  • Has plans for affordable housing
  • Has served six years as a City Councilman
  • Was Remerton’s Mayor Pro-tem for two years

J.D. Rice

 
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  • Better paying jobs
  • Public Transportation
  • Affordable housing
  • Economic opportunities for our children

David Sumner

 
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  • Free enterprise for small businesses
  • Do away with outdated models
  • Partnerships outside of the norm
  • Job Growth
  • Prosperity
  • Low Property Taxes
  • Improved Quality of Life

Valdosta City Council

Valdosta City Council District 1

Vivian Miller-Cody (I)

 
Name Here
  • Vivian Miller-Cody is a native who was born and raised in Lowndes County.
  • Focused on community outreach and servant leadership
  • Committed to advocating for others in order to promote and sustain a thriving culture for the current and future citizens of the Valdosta/Lowndes County area.

Valdosta City Council District 3

Thomas B. McIntyre, Sr.

 
Name Here
  • Encourage move from renting to property ownership, on board of HUD
  • Reclaim neighborhoods; turn them into commuinities; committee member of CBDG
  • Concentrate on youth, aim to open Boys and Girls clubs on Saturdays
  • Less emotion and more facts

Sonny Vickers (I)

 
Name Here
  • Served more than twenty-two years as the Councilman for District 3
  • Appointed Mayor by the Valdosta City Council in 2011, in which he served the unexpired term of the previous mayor.
  • 2007 Award for Exemplary Community Service presented by the 100 Black Men of Valdosta

Valdosta City Council District 5

Tim Carroll (I)

 
Name Here
  • Opened and manages Farmers Home Furniture Co. (1984-present)
  • Chairman and member of the Greater Lowndes Planning Commission (1993-2008)
  • Member of South Georgia Military Affairs Council
  • Valdosta/Lowndes Co. Chamber of Commerce “Champion of Business Award” – 2011

Valdosta City Council At-Large

Ben H. Norton (I)

 
Name Here
  • 27-year veteran teacher of the Valdosta City School System. 
  • Passion for excellence in education
  • Member of the Leadership Team at Newbern Middle School

Adrian J. Rivers

 
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  • Plans to widen opportunities for Valdosta youth 
  • Bring more job opportunities to lower crime rates
  • Community revitalization
  • Responsive leadership with vision and a critical eye for progress
  • Next Gen investment
  • Transparency in city government

Jeremy L. Stone

 
Name Here
  • Community Development
  • Youth involvement 
  • Public Transportation Advocate
  • Bringing in Business that will help Valdosta’s local economy 

Edgar “Nicky” Tooley

 
Name Here
  • Served 23 years in the United States Army
  • Plans to streamline process for opening businesses 
  • Board member of Partnership to End Homelessness
  • Mentorship for students of Valdosta by local law enforcement to strengthen that relationship

Valdosta School Board

VSB District 1

Liz Shumphard (I)

 
Name Here
  • Former member of the Valdosta-Lowndes County Chamber of Commerce
  • Currently employed at Wiregrass Georgia Technical College as a paraprofessional in the Adult Education Department.
  • Serving on the Valdosta Board of Education since January 2014

VSB District 2

Kelisa Brown (I)

 
Name Here
  • Strong work ethic, with career in education, mental health, and social services
  • Address mental health issues and barriers that keep students from succeeding
  • “I instilled in my children that education is vital; you must provide education, job readiness skills”
  • “My passion is At-Risk Youth and I can ensure no child gets left behind”
  • As a single mother, knows education is vital to success

David A. Gilyard

 
Name Here
  • Retired, UPS, 33 years
  • Volunteered reading to children and substitute teaching
  • “We need more men to step up and be role models, and be part of education. Men are needed and have a vital role. Ladies have their place but men are lacking and that will help society in general, and inspire men to get involved.”
  • Make sure the teachers have the tools they need to teach properly
  • Substituting at least three times a week and gives him chance to talk to students and find out what they see and  need
  • Collaboration with community
  • Change the reputation of schools
   

VSB District 3

Warren “Sweet” Lee (I)

 
Name Here
  • Running Unopposed

City of Hahira

Hahira City Council District 2

Kenneth Davis (I)

 
Name Here
  • Served as Mayor Pro-Tem 2019
  • Running Unopposed

Hahira City Council District 3

Patrick Warren (I)

 
Name Here
  • Running Unopposed
  • Growth Goal: Protect the property of the city and citizens through planned growth and development.
  • “As part of this goal I worked to approve a sustainable development north of the city.”
  • Quality of Life Goal: Complete the downtown depot park development that we initiated in his first term. “We have completed Phase 1, which included the building of our community depot center. I would like to see continued discussion of including a veteran’s memorial and a children’s splash pad to the park. I look forward to serving the citizens of District Three another four years!”

City of Dasher

Dasher City Council Post 3

Bill Hatfield (I)

 
Name Here
  • Running Unopposed
  • Fiscal responsibility
  • Government transparency
  • Providing a safe, healthy community

Dasher City Council Post 4

Anita Armstrong Scott(I)

 
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  • Running Unopposed

City of Remerton

Remerton Mayor

Cornelius Holsendolph(I)

 
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  • Running Unopposed
  • Safety of all citizens is primary concern

Remerton City Council

Steven Koffler(I)

 
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  • My name is Steven Koffler and I am a business owner in the city of Remerton. I am currently running unopposed for reelection for my 3rd term as a city councilman for the City of Remerton. It is with great pride that I will continue to serve this great city. As we continue to thrive with several new businesses and provide more housing than ever before I am very excited and happy to be a part of this cities future.

Bill Wetherington(I)

 
Name Here
  • Running Unopposed