Qualifying Deadline Extended for Santa Claus, Alamo Elections

While most candidates bound for November 2 elections qualified last week, races in two municipalities were in doubt as extensions were called. In the City of Santa Claus, by the qualifying deadline last Friday, only one of the City’s two atlarge seats had a candidate. By the extended Tuesday deadline, David Evans and William Powell had qualified, said Toombs County Board of Elections Supervisor Carey Alligood.

There will not be a ballot for this election, however, since neither candidate has opposition.

Several other seats in Toombs County are unopposed, but, if even one of the races has opposition, a ballot will be printed which will include the names of candidates with and without opposition, Alligood said. Both the Lyons City Council and Vidalia Mayor’s race have candidates with opposition. Incumbent Councilwoman Sonja Eason and challenger Cathy Benton will face off for the Ward 2 post while incumbent Mayor Doug Roper is being challenged by former Vidalia City Councilman Gregory Johnson. In Wheeler County, as of the qualifying deadline on Friday, only two incumbent Council members, Patricia Woodard and Bobby Cox, had qualified for reelection to their at-large posts. The qualifying period was extended until Tuesday, which provided additional time for incumbent Harry Lewis to qualify to seek reelection.

None of these candidates face opposition, but because the ballot will also include a referendum on alcohol sales by the drink in the City of Alamo, voting will be conducted there on November 2.