Long wait almost over: Runoffs are Tuesday

The long wait to settle scores of political races around Georgia is almost over. The runoffs will be held Tuesday, two months after the primary elections.<br /> <br /> The only local race in Hall County is the one for the Republican nomination for a seat (Post 2) on the Hall County Board of Education between incumbent Brian Sloan and challenger Mark Pettitt. They were the top vote-getters in a three-person race during the May 20 primary. The choice voters make on Tuesday will be tantamount to election because there is no Democratic candidate.<br /> <br /> In addition to other local races that are on ballots all over the state, Republicans will be selecting a nominee to run for the U.S. Senate seat Saxby Chambliss is vacating this year. Their choices are Jack Kingston and David Perdue. The winner will take on Democrat Michelle Nunn and Libertarian Amanda Swafford of Flowery Branch in November.<br /> <br /> Both Democrats and Republicans still need to pick their nominees for State Schools Superintendent. The Democratic candidates are Alisha Thomas Morgan and Valarie D. Wilson. Those seeking the Republican nomination are Mike Buck and Richard Woods.<br /> <br /> In order to be eligible to vote in the runoffs, you must have been a registered voter as of April 21, 2014; if you voted Democratic in the May 20 primary, you can vote in the Democratic runoff only; if you voted in the Republican primary, you can only vote in the Republican runoff; if you voted non-partisan on May 20, you can vote either Democratic or Republican July 22; and, if you did not vote May 20, you can vote in either the Democratic or Republican runoff.<br /> <br /> More time has lapsed between the original elections and the runoffs this time than in the past. That's because of a federal judge's ruling that lengthened the time between them for federal elections in order to insure enough time for overseas ballots to be returned in time for the runoffs. In order to keep expenses down and avoid confusion, the state Legislature earlier this year voted to hold state and local runoffs on the same date as the federal election runoff.<br /> <br /> For more information and to view sample ballots, click on the links below.<br /> <br /> ..............<br /> LINK BOXES:<br />

http://accesswdun.com/article/2014/7/277320