Voters across North Georgia turned out in large numbers for the General Election. Following are some of the noteworthy contested races, alcohol issues and E-SPLOST issues, broken down by county.
Note that voter turnout is listed with the county header.
Banks County (81.93 percent turnout)
In Banks County, incumbent Republican County Commission Chairman Jimmy Hooper received 65.23 percent (4,372 votes) to hold off Independent challenger William Reems, who received 34.65 percent (2,322 votes).
Additionally, voters in the special election approved Sunday package sales of alcohol 55.6 percent (3,839 votes) to 44.4 percent (3,066 votes).
The race for Broad River Soil and Water Conservation District Supervisor had no named candidate on the ballot, but received 257 write-in votes. No announcement has been made regarding that outcome.
Elbert County (78.56 percent turnout)
In Elbert County, incumbent Sheriff Melvin T. Andrews (D) received 51.20 percent (4,024 votes) to defeat Republican challenger Jamie Callaway's 48.8 percent (3,835 votes).
Also in Elbert County, Independent Mike Turner received 62.17 percent (955 votes) to defeat Independent Evelyn Jackson's 37.83 percent (581 votes) for the Board of Education Post 4 seat.
Franklin County (65.6 percent turnout)
In Franklin County there were no contested county-level races.
Habersham County (80.37 percent turnout)
In Habersham County there were no contested county-level races, however an Education Special Purpose Local Option Sales Tax extension passed 64.54 percent (10,006 votes) to 35.46 percent (5,497 votes).
Hart County (75.47 percent turnout)
In Hart County, incumbent District 1 County Commissioner R.C. Oglesby (D) received 54.74 percent (837 votes) to Republican Michael Bennett's 45.25 percent (692 votes).
Madison County (76.61 percent turnout)
In Madison County, Republican John D. Scarborough received 79.1 percent of the vote (8,797 votes) to Democrat Cedric Fortson's 20.9 percent (2,325 votes) to be elected county commission chairman.
Also in Madison County, Republican Tripp Strickland received 80.63 percent (1,819 votes) to defeat Democrat Conolus Scott (19.37 percent, 437 votes) for County Commission District 2.
Rabun County (82.04 percent turnout)
In Rabun County, Republican Chad K. Nichols received 86.91 percent (6,694 votes) to defeat Democrat Jamie V. Blalock, who received 13.09 percent (1,008 votes) for sheriff. Nichols, Baldwin police chief, defeated incumbent Sheriff Frank Andrews in the Republican Primary.
For Rabun County Board of Education Post 5, Republican challenger Molly Lima received 56.05 percent (4,339 votes) to unseat incumbent J. David Smith (D), who received 43.95 percent (3,402 votes).
Stephens County (75.59 percent turnout)
In Stephens County, Republican challenger Ann Pickett received 63.74 percent (6,101 votes) to unseat incumbent Willie Woodruff Jr. (D) for solicitor. Woodruff received 36.26 percent (3,471 votes).
Towns County (79.52 percent turnout)
Towns County had two three-way races for county-level offices.
Incumbent Republican Sheriff Chris Clinton received 58.64 percent (3,910 votes) to defeat Independent challengers Brandon Barrett (28.42 percent, 1,895 votes) and Linda Curtis (12.94 percent, 863 votes).
Republican Cliff Bradshaw received 65.88 percent (4,375 votes) to defeat Democrat Nathan Hughes (28.02 percent, 1,861 votes) and Independent Henry Chambers (6.1 percent, 405 votes) for county commissioner.
In the special election for Towns County Board of Education Post 2, left vacant by the resignation of Cliff Bradshaw to seek the county commissioner post, Stan Chastain received 68.7 percent (3,767 votes) to defeat Chad Houser's 31.3 percent (1,716 votes).
Union County (85.07 percent turnout)
In Union County, incumbent Sole Commissioner Lamar Paris (D) received 65.03 percent (7,716 votes) to hold off Republican challenger Harold Cook, who received 34.97 percent (4,150 votes).
White County (81.48 percent turnout)
In White County, a special election for Board of Education District 2 saw Charlie Bryson defeat Brock Pulliam. Bryson received 51.26 percent (5,331 votes) to Pulliam's 48.39 percent (5,033 votes).
Voters approved the sale distilled spirits by the drink for on-premises consumption 69.45 percent (7,951 votes) to 30.55 percent (3,498 percent).
Voters approved Sunday sales of distilled spirits by the drink 62.4 percent (7,214 votes) to 37.6 percent (4,347 votes).
Voters approved package sales by retailers of both malt beverages and wine on Sundays 63.18 percent (7,294 votes) to 36.82 percent (4,251 votes).
http://accesswdun.com/article/2016/11/467773/sheriffs-other-local-races-decided-across-northeast-georgia