The votes are in...24 of 24 Newton precincts reporting

Results are now official

Brown elected sheriff in closely contested race: http://newmedia.covnews.com/news/article/4375/

Morgan wins comission chair with strong showing: http://newmedia.covnews.com/news/article/4374/

PARTISAN ELECTIONS

President of the United States
o John McCain/Sarah Palin (R): 49.03%
o Barack Obama/Joe Biden (D): 50.21%
o Bob Barr/Wayne A. Root (L): 0.57%

County Commission Chairman
o Roy Aaron Varner (R-incumbent): 43.70%
o Kathryn G. Morgan (D): 56.24%

Sheriff
o Bill Watterson (R): 49.86%
o Ezell Brown (D): 50.01 %

County Commissioner Dist. 1
o T.M. "Mort" Ewing (R-incumbent): 63.94%
o Mark Patrick (D): 36.00%

County Commissioner Dist. 3
o Keith Mitcham (R): 31.91%
o Nancy Schulz (D): 68.04%

County Commissioner Dist. 5
o Tim Fleming (R): 51.60%
o Randy Vinson (D): 48.37%

Board of Education Dist. 2
o Rickie L. Corley (R-incumbent): 47.36%
o Eddie Johnson (D): 52.58%

Tax Commissioner
o Barbara Dingler (R-incumbent): 55.87%
o Nicholas P. Day (D): 44.05%

United States Senate
o Saxby Chambliss (R-incumbent): 45.89%
o Jim Martin (D): 50.94%
o Allen Buckley (L): 3.12%

U.S. Rep. 7th District of Georgia
o John Linder (R-incumbent): 44.71 %
o Doug Heckman (D): 55.25 %

U.S. Rep. 8th District of Georgia
o Rick Goddard (R): 47.52%
o Jim Marshall (D-incumbent): 52.44%

State Senator 17th District
o John Douglas (R-incumbent): 49.30%
o Rudy B. Cox (D): 50.63%

State Rep. 95th District
o Erick Hunt (R): 35.86%
o Toney Collins (D): 64.10%

PROPOSED CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENTS

1. To encourage the preservation of Georgia's forests through a conservation use property tax reduction program
House Resolution No. 1276
Resolution Act No. 702
Ga. L. 2008 p. 1209
"Shall the Constitution of Georgia be amended so as to provide that the General Assembly by general law shall encourage the preservation, conservation and protection of the state's forests through the special assessment and taxation of certain forest lands and assistance grants to local government?"
o Yes: 70.50%
o No: 29.50%

2. To authorize local school districts to use tax funds for community redevelopment purposes.
Senate Resolution No. 996
Resolution Act No. 777
Ga. L. 2008 p. 1211
"Shall the Constitution of Georgia be amended so as to authorize community redevelopment and authorize counties, municipalities and local boards of education to use tax funds for redevelopment purposes and programs?
o Yes: 55.35%
o No: 44.65%

3. To authorize the creation of special infrastructure Development Districts providing infrastructure to underserved areas.
Senate Resolution No. 309
Resolution Act. No. 373
Ga. L. 2007 p. 775
"Shall the Constitution of Georgia be amended so as to authorize the General Assembly to provide by general law for the creation and comprehensive regulation of infrastructure development districts for the provision of infrastructure as authorized by local governments?"
o Yes: 50.47%
o No: 49.53%
Special election

Newton County
Homestead Exemption
"Shall the Act be approved which provides a homestead exemption from Newton County ad valorem taxes for maintenance and operation of facilities of the county in the amount of $30,000 of the assessed value of the homestead for residents of that county who are 65 years of age or older and whose income does not exceed $25,000?"
o Yes: 85.06%
o No: 14.94%

UNCONTESTED RACES

Board of Education Dist. 4
o Almond Turner (D-incumbent)

State Rep. 110th District
o John Lunsford (R-incumbent)

State Rep. 112th District
o Doug Holt (R-incumbent)

District Attorney of the
Alcovy Judicial Circuit
o Ken Wynne (R-incumbent)

Probate Court Judge
o Henry Baker (D-incumbent)

Superior Court Clerk
o Linda D. Hays (R-incumbent)

Coroner
o Tommy Davis (R)

Justice,
Supreme Court of Georgia
o Robert Benham (incumbent)

Justice,
Supreme Court of Georgia
o Harris Hines (incumbent)

Judge, Court of Appeals of Georgia
o Gary B. Andrews (incumbent)

Judge, Court of
Appeals of Georgia
o Charles B. Mikell Jr. (incumbent)