UPDATE March 21, 8:35 p.m.: With all the precincts reporting, 2004 votes were cast in favor of the SPLOST, while 647 votes were cast against it, Steele reported.
"We are proud to be a part of a community that recognizes the importance of SPLOST," Ralph Staffins, Covington/Newton Chamber of Commerce president and committee member, said. "The Newton Chamber and its membership has to have an extremely strong voice in our community and our strength shows in this vote.
"SPLOST success is important to Newton County's growth and our organization's committed to that growth."
"The campaign to Vote yes For Continued SPLOST Success was met with support from a wide variety of citizens and stakeholders, to whom we are very grateful," Baxter Bouchillon, chairman of the 2017 Newton County SPLOST Committee, said. "The committee learned early to make our message clear that this would not be a 'new penny' tax increase but a continuation of our SPLOST pennies that have resulted in many great projects for all of Newton County.
"During the campaign, the Vote Yes For Continued SPLOST Success committee promoted voting yes through using social media, providing online resources and presenting to civic organizations. The committee knows that the passing of this SPLOST resolution today is a wise choice and investment in Newton County’s tomorrow."
---
UPDATE March 21, 8:20 p.m.: With only the Rocky Plains precinct left to report, Steele reported the results.
A total of 1964 votes were cast in favor of the SPLOST, while 633 votes are against.
---
UPDATE March 21, 7:20 p.m.: Early voting results, both absentee and in person, results are in.
Steele reported 604 votes in favor of the SPLOST and 184 votes against.
More results should flow in throughout the night.
---
UPDATE March 21, 7:10 p.m.: Polls are officially closed and Newton County Board of Elections workers are currently counting the 33 absentee ballots.
Hugh Steele, chair, said there was low voter turnout throughout the county.
---
The Covington News is reporting live from the Newton County Board of Elections office to provide you with up-to-date results from the March 21 Special Purpose Local Option Sales Tax (SPLOST) election.
Make sure to check back on this page for updates.
