Absentee Ballots Now Available at Statham City Hall

With the Municipal General Election a little more than a month away, the city of Statham is making ready to dust off its ballot boxes and open the polls for local voters Tuesday, Nov. 8.

This year’s races include elections for mayor and two council seats. The current mayor, Robert Bridges, is seeking re-election and will be running unopposed. However, two council seats presently held by Joe Hayes and Hattie Thrasher are up for grabs. While Thrasher seeks another term, two additional qualifiers — Perry Barton and Rudy Krause — are each vying for a seat at the council table.

If you are unable to visit your official polling station on the day of the election, absentee ballots are hot off the presses and can now be obtained from . Absentee ballots are available to local registered voters who meet the Official Code of Georgia — OCGA 21-2-380, although it is not required that you give a reason for voting absentee when obtaining a ballot. According to the code, an "absentee elector" is someone who:

• Is required to be absent from his or her precinct during the time of the primary or election he or she desires to vote in;
• Because of physical disability or because of being required to give constant care to someone who is physically disabled, will be unable to be present at the polls on the day of such primary or election;
• Because the election or primary falls upon a religious holiday observed by such elector, will be unable to be present at the polls on the day of such primary or election;
• Is required to remain on duty in his or her place of employment for the protection of the health, life or safety of the public during the entire time the polls are open when such place of employment is within the precinct in which the voter resides; or
• Is 75 years of age or older

Contact City Clerk Susan Gabriel at 770-725-5455 or via e-mail for more information about absentee ballots to make sure your vote is counted.

Mark your calendars. Tuesday, Oct. 11 is the last day to register to be eligible to vote in the Nov. 8 Municipal General Election and the Dec. 6 runoff. For your convenience, voter registration forms are also available at Statham City Hall.

Check back every Wednesday for a new City Spotlight on Statham.