The special election to replace Ken Gaddis as a councilman for the City of Blue Ridge is yet to be scheduled.
City officials are set to appear before the Fannin County Board of Elections November 4 to ask the county to host or run the city’s election. If approved, the election can be held after at least 29 days notice to the public said city attorney James Balli. He said they’d like to have the election in December or January.
However, it appears the election may have to wait until March of 2020, due to the fact there are no approved election dates for the remainder of the year. Georgia state election code states, “Notwithstanding any other provision of law to the contrary, a special primary or special election to fill a vacancy in a county or municipal office shall be held only on one of the following dates which is at least 29 days after the date of the call for the special election: (A) In odd-numbered years, any such special election shall only be held on: (i) The third Tuesday in March; (ii) The third Tuesday in June; (iii) The third Tuesday in September; or (iv) The Tuesday after the first Monday in November. ...” Furthermore, for even numbered years, the code states, in part, “... any such special election shall only be held on: The third Tuesday in March; provided, however, that in the event that a special election is to be held under this provision in a year in which a presidential preference primary is to be held, then any such special election shall be held on the date of and in conjunction with the presidential preference primary.”
The location of the election is uncertain as well. Balli said he was in discussions with Lynn Doss, the county’s attorney, over the terms of the election.
Fannin County Election Supervisor Mary Ann Conner, when asked about the role the county plays in a city election, said, “We order the voters list for them and verify signatures on absentee applications and absentee envelopes.” She said it will totally be up to the board to decide whether the county will host the city’s election. The installation of the new voting machines may also affect the timing and date of the city’s special election.