Election Day is almost here.
Pierce County voters can vote early at the courthouse through 5 p.m. this Friday, Nov. 4 or can vote in person at their precinct on Election Day, Tuesday, Nov. 8. There will be no early voting on Monday, Nov. 7.
Polls will be open from 7 a.m.-7 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 8, at both of the county’s polling places. Voters will cast ballots at either the Pierce County Gym on Main Street and College Avenue in Blackshear or at Eagle Station on Williams Street in Patterson.
Large numbers of Pierce Countians have already cast ballots by voting early or absentee. At press time Monday, a total of 3,305 had cast ballots in person and 186 absentees had been turned in.
The only local race on the ballot will be a special election in the City of Blackshear’s District 6 to fill the unexpired term of Linda Gail Dennison.
Dennison, 74, passed away July 18, following a short illness.
Retired horticulture instructor Mark Deal, West Fraser employee Chris Drury and defense attorney John Thigpen Jr. all qualified to run for the seat.
Thigpen Jr. has since withdrawn from the race.
There are 387 registered voters in District 6.
The winner will fill the year remaining on the term. The seat will be up for election for a full term in November, 2023.
District 6 includes the northern section of Blackshear, roughly including areas north of Carter and Strickland Avenues.
Elections for all county offices, state senator and state representative were settled in the May primary.
Several state and federal offices will be up for election.
In federal races, local voters will choose a U.S. Senator and U.S. First District Representative.
Incumbent Democratic U.S. Senator Rafael Warnock of Atlanta will face Republican Herschel Walker, business executive and former University of Georgia running back and Libertarian candidate Chase Oliver.
Incumbent Republican Congressman Buddy Carter will face Wade Herring, a Savannah attorney and Democratic candidate.
Incumbent Republican Governor Brian Kemp will face Democrat Stacey Abrams in a rematch of the 2018 election for the post. Libertarian candidate Shane Hazel is also in the race.
The Lieutenant Governor’s post is open as current Lt. Governor Geoff Duncan decided not to seek re-election.
Republican State Senator Burt Jones of Jackson, Democrat Charlie Bailey of Atlanta and Ryan Graham, Libertarian of Athens are running for the job.
Incumbent Republican Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger is running for re-election and will face Democrat Bee Nguyen of Atlanta and Libertarian Ted Metz.
Incumbent Republican Attorney General Chris Carr will face Democrat Jennifer “Jen” Jordan and Libertarian Martin Cowen for the post.
Current Republican Agriculture Commissioner Gary Black gave up the seat in an unsuccessful bid for the Republican nomination for U.S. Senate.
State Senator Tyler Harper of Ocilla is the Republican candidate and he will face Democrat Nekita Hemingway of Dacula and Libertarian David Raudabaugh.
Incumbent Republican Commissioner of Insurance John King is opposed by Democrat Janice Laws Robinson.
Incumbent State School Superintendent Richard Woods of Tifton faces a challenge from Democrat Alisha Thomas Searcy.
Incumbent Republican commissioner of Labor Mark Butler is not running for re-election, leaving an open seat for the job.
Republican Bruce Thompson, Democrat William “Will” Boddie Jr. and Libertarian Emily Anderson are running for the job.
