Editor's Note: This story was updated on Dec. 4 to include a statement from Taylor Morris.
SOCIAL CIRCLE, Ga. — Incumbent Taylor Morris has secured another term as chair of the Social Circle City Schools Board of Education.Morris won in a Dec. 2 runoff election after earning 52.15% of the votes. According to the unofficial and incomplete results* provided by the Walton County Elections Office, Morris earned 352 votes.
Her opponent in the runoff, Chadwick McGuire, received 323 votes (47.85%).
A total of 675 votes were cast: 299 made in the advance voting period, 369 live at the polls on Dec. 2 and seven absentee ballots sent in by mail. McGuire outnumbered Morris on the day-of voting in a 202-167 margin. But Morris had the edge in advance voting with 189 votes to McGuire’s 117.
A local real estate agent and mother of children enrolled in Social Circle City Schools, Morris has served as chair since August 2023. The board appointed her in a unanimous vote after the resignation of her predecessor, John Callahan.
Morris, the incumbent to the seat, was initially challenged by both McGuire and Seneca Ellison. On Election Day in early November, Morris secured 439 votes to McGuire’s 434, with Ellison trailing at 69.
To claim the victory, a single candidate needed to secure over the 50% mark. With Ellison receiving some moderate support, no candidate hit the required threshold, leading to Tuesday’s runoff.
Morris shared the following statement after claiming her victory:
“The election is over. I know my heart for SCCS is stronger from the trials of the long election season. I am thankful to EVERYONE who helped make this possible. Your prayers, votes, words of encouragement, hugs on hard days all helped my heart more than you will ever know. I could never have gotten through this alone. I will serve in my role as best I can and try to build bridges. Everyone (especially the future of this community) benefits when we seek the good for each other and peace. If I didn't earn your vote, I still hope we can work together to make SCCS even better. I am grateful for 4 more years with the best board and know we will continue to keep the first things first.”
*All election results remain ‘unofficial and incomplete’ until they are certified, as is procedure.
