Voters to decide on GOP pick in runoff
See 14th District candidate Q&As inside on page A3
Two candidates are vying in the Aug. 11 runoff election to be the Republican nominee in the 14th Congressional District race to represent Northwest Georgia.
Either Dr. John Cowan or Marjorie Taylor Greene will face Democrat Kevin Van Ausdal in the Nov. 3 general election.
Polk County voters can also vote in a runoff between Jason Anavitarte and Boyd Austin for the Republican nominee in the 31st State Senate District race. The winner will face Democratic nominee Tianna Smith in November.
All registered voters except those who cast ballots in the June 9 Democratic primary are eligible to weigh in on both contests.
Voters may request an application for an absentee ballot by Aug. 7. Polk County voters can request an application by contacting the Polk County Board of Elections at (770) 749-2103 or email lgeorge@polkga.org.
Voters may also visit https:// sos.ga.gov/index.php/Elections/ absentee_voting_in_georgia to print an application and mail it to the Polk County Board of Elections, 144 West Ave. Ste D, Cedartown, GA 30125.
Absentee ballots must be received by the elections office no later than 7 p.m. on election day in order to be counted. Additionally, the return envelope containing the ballot must be signed in order to be accepted.
Under state law, voters don’t have to provide a reason for using a mail-in ballot.
Early in-person voting is scheduled for July 20 through Aug. 7, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, at the elections office. The Rockmart Community Center will not be available for early voting for the run-off election.
Brande Coggins, Polk County elections coordinator, indicated that they are encouraging voters to participate in early or absentee voting in order to minimize wait times and crowds on election day.
All social distancing and cleaning practices will continue at the precincts, such as spacing out voters waiting in line, keeping the number of voters inside a precinct to a minimum and wiping down machines and voter cards after each use.
For more information, including election updates, sample ballots and helpful links, visit the elections office Facebook page at www.facebook.com/ PolkGAElections.