Most Ga. cities holding elections Tuesday

UNDATED - This is an off-year for elections in Georgia... meaning there are no federal or state races on the ballots, except for special elections in some areas. But that doesn't mean there will not be a lot of ballots cast on Tuesday.

Cities and towns across the state will be holding their municipal elections.

In Braselton, a new mayor will be elected as the incumbent steps aside to make a run for state Senate next year. In Flowery Branch, three new city council members will be elected And, in Gainesville, there are contested races for two city school board posts and non-binding votes on changing the way the mayor and school board chairman are chosen.

In Gainesville, voting will take place at the Gainesville Civic Center for people living in Wards 1 and 2; at the Fair Street Neighborhood Center for Ward 3 residents; and at the Georgia Mountains Center for residents of Wards 4 and 5.

Perhaps the most-watched race, at least in north Georgia, is the one for mayor of Atlanta, where Shirley Franklin is barred by law from running again. Several candidates are seeking the post. Among the top issues in the campaign: the future of MARTA. Mary Norwood says a careful review of MARTA's operations is needed: "Make sure we are getting MARTA were it needs to go, when it needs to go and how it needs to go".

In Banks County, meanwhile, voters will be filling two newly-created spots on the county commission while in Clarkesville, in addition to voting on city council candidates, residents will be asked to decide whether to legalize liquor-by-the-drink in the city.