As advanced voting for the municipal and countywide special called election is underway, here are some things to know about what is being voted for, when to vote, how to vote and polling locations.
MUNICIPAL ELECTION CANDIDATES
Mayor of Covington:
Fleeta Baggett
Kenneth Morgan
Felton Hudson
Eric Threets
James “Tim” Walden
Covington City Council:
Dania Bernard (E Post 3)
Jared Rutberg (E Post 3)
Travis Moore (E Post 2)
Carla Ferry (E Post 2)
Kim Johnson (W Post 1)
Mayor of Porterdale:
Kay Piper
Michael Patterson
Porterdale City Council:
Eric Russell (Post 1)
Rebekah Sewell (Post 1)
Linda Finger (Post 2)
Halima Najah Muhammad (Post 2)
SPECIAL CALLED ELECTION
The countywide, special called election pertains to an increase in the homestead exemption for elderly taxpayers from the school tax portion of their tax bill.
WHEN TO VOTE
Early voting: Monday, Oct. 16 - Friday, Nov. 3
General election: Nov. 7
WAYS TO VOTE
- Vote early in-person (Oct. 16 - Nov. 3)
Polls are open Monday - Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. at two locations:
- Turner Lake Recreation Center - Banquet Room: 6185 Turner Lake Rd NW Covington, GA 30014
- Prospect Church at Oak Hill: 6752 GA 212 Covington, GA 30016
Early voting on Saturday is only available at the Turner Lake polling location on Saturday, Oct. 21 and 28 from 9 a.m. - 5 p.m.
- Absentee ballot
Visit co.newton.ga.us/ways-to-vote or request an absentee ballot from the Board of Elections office at 1113 Usher Street, Ste. 103, Covington, GA 30014
- Vote in-person on election day (Nov. 7)
Polls will be open from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.
Those living in a city can vote for mayoral and city council candidates as well as the countywide, special called election at the same polling location.
Those living in an unincorporated area can only vote for the homestead tax exemption for those 65 and older.
NEW POLLING LOCATION UPDATES (No changes made to voting districts)
- Cedar Shoals Precinct – the polling location will be changed from Porterdale Baptist Church to Turner Lake Recreation Center (Banquet Room) 6185 Turner Lake Road NW Covington, Ga 30014
- City Pond Precinct – the polling location will be changed from Central Community Church to Newton County Library 7116 Floyd Street NE, Covington, Ga 30014
- Newborn Precinct – the polling location will be changed from Newborn Methodist Church to Mansfield Community Center, 3158 S Main Hwy 11, Mansfield, Ga 30055
- Almon Precinct – the polling location will be changed from Newton Baptist Church to Shiloh United Methodist Church, located at 10 Almon Church Road, Covington, Ga 30014
- Beaverdam Precinct – the polling location will be changed from Gateway Community Church to Voice of Pentecost, located at 4648 Salem Road, Covington, Ga 30016
- Stansells Precinct – the polling location will be changed from Voice of Pentecost to St Paul African Methodist Episcopal Church, located at 13108 Brown Bridge Road, Covington, Ga 30016
POLLING LOCATIONS CURRENTLY INACTIVE
- Central Community Church
- Gateway Community Church
- Newborn United Methodist Church
- Newborn Baptist Church
- Porterdale Baptist Church
