General Election voting is underway
By Deborah Bennett Millen News Editor

Brenda Mathern, Incumbent tax commissioner

Early voting in the Nov. 4 General Election is underway across the state of Georgia. Locally, 228 ballots had been cast as of Friday morning, Oct. 3.

In addition to casting their vote for President of the United States, several local positions are also on the ballot.

Uncontested local positions on the Democratic ticket include: Wanda Burke, Jenkins County Probate Judge; Elizabeth Landing, Jenkins County Clerk of Court; Robert Oglesby, Jenkins County Sheriff; Henry Young, Jenkins County Coroner, Domingo Green, Jenkins County Commissioner, District #1; Tommy Lane, Jenkins County Commissioner, District #3; Floyd Chance, Jenkins County Commissioner, District #4; and Roderick Campbell, Jenkins County Board of Education, District #1.

Contested races include the race for Jenkins County Tax Commissioner and two seats on the Jenkins County Board of Education (BOE).

Incumbent tax commissioner Brenda Mathern, Democrat, is opposed by write-in candidate Sherril Jones. Mathern is seeking her fourth term as Jenkins County Tax Commissioner. Jones was employed as a deputy tax commissioner for approximately 15 years.

Roy Cook, Incumbent BOE, District #3

On the Jenkins County BOE, District #3, incumbent Roy Cook is opposed by Mike Lane. Cook has served eight years on the BOE. Lane is a retired insurance fraud investigator and president of the North Jenkins County Volunteer Fire Department board of directors.

In District #4, incumbent BOE member Vickie Odom is opposed by Freddie Brinson. Odom has served eight years on the BOE. Brinson is a retired educator with the Jenkins County school system.

Recent changes to the law allow voters to cast ballots 45 days prior to an election, either by mail or in person without providing a reason. Voters can request a mail-in ballot or vote early in-person through Friday, Oct. 31. Voting will take place at the Jenkins County Courthouse Monday-Friday from 8:30 a.m. until 5 p.m. All mailin ballots must be received no later than 7 p.m. by the county registrar on Election Day, Tuesday, Nov. 4. Photo identification is not required when voting by mail.

Vickie Odom, Incumbent BOE, District #4

Voters casting ballots in-person during early voting or on Election Day will be required to show one of the following six forms of photo ID: a Georgia driver's license, even if expired; any valid state or federal government issued photo ID, including a free Voter ID; card issued by county registrar or Georgia Department of Driver Services; valid U.S. passport; valid employee photo ID from any branch, department, agency or entity of the U.S. Government, Georgia, or any county, municipality, board, authority or other entity of this state; valid U.S. military photo ID or valid tribal photo ID.

Sherril Jones Candidate tax commissioner Mike Lane Candidate BOE, District #3 Freddie Brinson Candidate BOE, District #4