VALDOSTA — The call has been issued for candidates to fill Lake Park’s vacated mayoral seat and complete the remainder of Mayor Ben Futch’s term.
While the lake-speckled city won’t hold its election until Nov. 6, the day of the general election, the Georgia statute, O.C.G.A. 21-2-540 , mandates that a call and a qualifying period be held well before the election.
Initially, the city’s leaders mulled over holding the mayoral election on the day of the primaries. But the July 31 date of the primaries was too soon for the city to comply with the special election code’s, which states that an election can’t be held sooner than 30 days after a call for candidates has been issued -- Futch resigned on July 3.
The next available date for a special election would be the day set for primary runoffs, Aug. 21, but that would leave the city without a day to settle any ties that may arise during the race. The day of the general election allots the city both time for a call and a day for a runoff, should it be needed.
Qualifying has been set start on July 23 at 8 a.m. and it will run until noon on July 25. Candidates must register at the Elections office, located at 2808 N Oak St. in Valdosta, and tender a qualifying fee of $108.
Voter registration ends on Oct. 8. Advance voting has been set to start on Oct. 15, and polls will be open from 7 a.m. until 7 p.m. on Election Day.
For additional information, call 229-671-2850, e-mail elections@lowndescounty.com, fax 229-333-5199, or visit the election office at 2808 N. Oak St., Valdosta.
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