County Party Leaders Offer Suggestions for Smart Voting

    While Towns County’s two major political party leaders may not agree on the preferred outcome of the 2020 elections, they absolutely agree that every vote should count.   Consequently, Republican Party Chair Betsy Young and Democratic Committee Chair Charlotte Sleczkowski are takings steps to get the public educated about the electoral process to help ensure the Aug. 11 primary runoffs go smoothly.

    For a smoother election process, we wish for everyone to understand the procedures,” Sleczkowski said during a recent working session between the county’s two political party chairs.  Their efforts focused on lessons learned during the June 9 Republican and Democratic primaries in Georgia, with particular attention on the absentee ballot process.

    Quoting the late Louis Brandeis, associate justice of the U.S. Supreme Court, Young noted of the electoral process: “The most important office, and the one which all of us can and should fill, is that of a private citizen.”

    First off, Young and Sleczkowski noted that if a registered voter did not vote in the June primary, they may still vote in the Aug 11 runoff.  The August runoff is open to all registered voters.

    Voter registration for the Aug. 11 runoff ended July 13 in Georgia but is open through Oct. 5 for the Nov. 3 general election.  Early voting in Towns County for the Aug. 11 primary runoff began Monday, July 20, and will continue through Friday, Aug. 7, at the Towns County Board of Elections and Registration office, at 67 Lakeview Circle in Hiawassee, from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday-Friday.  No Saturday voting for the runoff is scheduled.  

    Voting absentee technically is considered early voting.  Both Young and Sleczkowski stressed that voting absentee is a two-step process: first, requesting an application for an absentee ballot, and second, casting the ballot.

    Voters who are disabled or elderly (65 and older) and who asked to receive an absentee ballot for the remainder of the 2020 election cycle (by indicating so on their original absentee ballot application) will be sent an absentee ballot automatically for the Aug. 11 runoff and subsequent elections in the 2020 election cycle. These voters should be receiving their runoff ballots in the mail any day now.  In other words, if you are elderly or disabled and requested an absentee ballot for the remainder of the 2020 election cycle, you do not need to reapply for an absentee ballot for the Aug. 11 runoff, the party leaders said.

    However, for all other registered voters who desire to vote by absentee ballot in the Aug. 11 runoff, you must request an absentee ballot by contacting the Towns County Board of Elections and Registration or by obtaining an absentee ballot application online via the Georgia Secretary of State's website (www.mvp.sos.ga.gov/MVP).  Absentee ballot request applications are available in the outside lobby of the county Board of Elections and Registration office. The absentee ballot application can then be returned by the voter to the local Board of Elections office either in person or by mail, facsimile (fax) or electronic transmission (email).

    Because of the time needed to process the absentee ballot application, including mail delivery, Young and Sleczkowski strongly suggested that registered voters who wish to apply for an absentee ballot for the Aug. 11 runoff do so no later than Aug. 1 – or at least 10 days before the runoff, to be safe.  The absentee ballot itself cannot be picked up in person at the county Board of Elections and Registration office, they noted; the ballot itself will be mailed to the voter.

    One important distinction should be noted, said Young and Sleczkowski:  If a voter requested an absentee ballot for the June 9 primary but did not receive one, or chose to vote in person instead, the voter will need to submit a new absentee ballot application for the Aug. 11 runoff.  Again, the status of the original application can be viewed at the My Voter Page, www.mvpsosga.gov/MVP. 

    The second step in the absentee voting process is casting the absentee ballot.  Voters can mark and cast their absentee ballot any time after receiving it, but they must be cast – that is, received at the office of the Towns County Board of Elections and Registration – no later than 7 p.m. on Aug. 11, the day of the primary runoff.   Sleczkowski and Young stressed the importance of the absentee ballot being received by that time and date, NOT postmarked. Completed absentee ballots can be mailed to or hand-delivered to the drop box outside the county Board of Elections and Registration office, which is located in the same building as the Civic Center in Hiawassee.  Sufficient postage is required if the ballot is mailed.

    In-person voting in the Aug. 11 runoff begins at 7 a.m., with the polls closing at 7 p.m.  Anyone in line at the three voting precincts – Hiawassee, Young Harris, and Macedonia – will be allowed to vote. Unlike during the June 9 primary, all three of Towns County’s voting precincts will be open on Aug. 11, according to the county Board of Elections and Registration.

    One significant lesson learned from the June 9 primary, Young and Sleczkowski said, is that the oval next to the candidate’s name on the absentee ballot must be filled in completely using a black or blue pen (not pencil) – and NOT checked or marked with an X – so that it can be successfully scanned electronically.  Ballots not marked appropriately may be considered invalid and not counted, they stressed.

    If the absentee ballot is defaced due to error or spillage or by any other means, the voter should immediately contact the county Board of Elections and Registration to receive a replacement ballot, again allowing sufficient time for processing and mailing.  However, Sleczkowski and Young noted that a replacement ballot cannot be mailed on the day prior to the runoff, which would be Aug. 10.

    Voters who successfully cast absentee ballots prior to Aug. 11 do not need to – and should not – show up for in-person voting on election day.  However, if a voter who applied to vote absentee did not receive a ballot, or if a voter cannot confirm via the My Voter Page that their absentee ballot was successfully cast, Young and Sleczkowski said they should go to their polling place on election day so that county election officials can resolve the ballot issue. 

    Because the Aug. 11 election is a party primary runoff, voters will be required to state their party preference to receive a ballot.  If the voter requested a Democratic ballot in June, they must again ask for a Democratic ballot in August, and the same applies for Republican ballots. However, if the voter requested a non-partisan ballot in June, they may ask for either a Democratic or Republican ballot for the Aug. 11 runoff.

    Republican voters on Aug. 11 will choose nominees for the Nov. 3 general election by voting for primary candidates for U.S. representative in the 117th Congress from the 9th Congressional District of Georgia, for state senator from the 50th District, and for Towns County sheriff.  Democratic voters will choose between candidates for the 9th Congressional District only.  

Towns County resident representing 9th District at Democratic National Convention

    Hiawassee resident Jim Powell is one of four elected delegates representing the Ninth Congressional District this week at the all-virtual Democratic National Convention in Milwaukee where former Vice President Joe Biden and U.S. Sen. Kamala Harris of California will be formally nominated Thursday as the party’s presidential/vice presidential ticket for the Nov. 3 general election.  Powell is participating as a Biden delegate.

 

Jim Powell

  Powell and three others were elected by Ninth District Democrats in May through an online voting process Powell has been active in Georgia Democratic activities for many years.  He was the statewide Democratic candidate for the Georgia Public Service Commission in 2008, when he was the top performing statewide Democratic candidate in the primary, general, and runoff elections.  He works at the grassroots level in support of Georgia Democrats in a variety of statewide, regional, and local elections.  He previously served on the Towns County Board of Elections and Registration.

    Georgia is allocated 129 convention delegates, nine of whom are alternates. Powell is one of 68 district-level delegates and the only delegate from Towns County. The other Ninth District delegates are Virginia Webb of Clarksville, Wilson Golden of Gainesville and Terry Franzen of Jasper.

    Powell retired from the federal government in 2007 after a 35-year career.  He was a member of the Senior Executive Service with the U.S. Department of Energy where he served as the national program manager in the Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency Office, managing a number of initiatives and a budget of more than $300 million.  He served honorably in the U.S. Navy from 1968 to 1972.

    In 2013, President Barak Obama appointed Powell to serve as the federal representative to the Southern States Energy Board (SSEB).  In this role, he served as the official liaison between the SSEB members and all federal agencies. SSEB is a non-profit interstate compact created in 1960 with a mission to enhance economic development and the quality of life in the South through innovations in energy and environmental policies, programs, and technologies. Sixteen Southern states and two U.S. territories comprise the membership of SSEB, and each jurisdiction is represented by the governor and a legislator from the U.S. House and Senate

    A small business owner, Powell currently works as an independent energy efficiency and renewable energy consultant to states, local governments, and industry.  He and his wife, Karen, have been married for 49 years and have lived in Hiawassee since 2006.

Democrats donate to hospital workers' luncheon

Democrats, from left, Karen Powell, Charlotte Sleczkowski, and Elaine Roberts show support for the  hospital workers serving Towns County throughout the pandemic by donating to the Chatuge Regional Hospital luncheon honoring their service.  

 

Democrats donate to S.A.F.E. Again Thrift Store

Charlotte Sleczkowski, chair of the Towns County Democrats, donates to the S.A.F.E. Again Thrift Store during the pandemic of 2020.  S.A.F.E., Support in Abusive Family Emergencies, Inc., serves Towns County and surrounding areas, offering services for victims of domestic abuse, child abuse, and sexual assault.  The thrift store is located in Young Harris, GA. 

 

Training Begins for Top of Georgia Speech Contest Set for March 10

Six weeks of training began yesterday, Jan. 21, at the Towns County Senior Center for the 12th annual Top of Georgia Student Public Speaking Contest, which is scheduled for March 10.

The Top of Georgia Student Development Organization is sponsoring the 2020 contest.  The program welcomes all students in grades 6 through 12, including Towns County public- and private-school students as well as local students who are home schooled.   Samantha Church, last year’s winner who is homeschooled and dual enrolled at Young Harris College and North Georgia Technical College, is the lead organizer for this year’s contest.

“I remember the first time I went to the public speaking training program. My knees were shaking and I was very nervous to simply introduce myself in front of everyone, Miss Church said.  “Being involved with the program for the past three years has given me confidence in my public speaking skills and has positively impacted my life and the way I communicate with others.”

Application forms are available in local stores as well as the Towns County Public Library in Hiawassee and the Mountain Regional Library in Young Harris. Interested students may also obtain applications from their teachers.  The completed form must be returned to one of the contacts listed on the form.

The contest committee and trainers have been diligently working for several weeks to make this year’s contest the best yet.  They are developing and simplifying the judging criteria.  Trainers represent local business men and women and educators and leaders in the community who have experience in public speaking and a passion for investing the younger generation, including trainers from both the Towns County Republican and Democratic committees who are working with contest in a joint venture.

Towns County Sole Commissioner Cliff Bradshaw attended a couple of organizing meetings and is very supportive of the program, saying he is enthusiastic about what this endeavor will promote within the next generation and within the community.

Student speakers may choose their own topic and must present a speech of at least three minutes and no longer than six minutes. Prizes are $400 for first place, $300 for second place, $200 for third place, and $100  for fourth place.  Prize amounts  are the same for the high-school and middle-school divisions. Contest winners are subsequently invited to present their speeches to local civic and governmental organizations in order to give the  speakers and the program visibility in the community as well as to educate more people on their chosen topic.

“This county-wide event is extremely powerful and invests in the lives of students in the community every year,” Miss Church stated.   “This is an opportunity that no one should pass up as it could change their lives and give them opportunities they would not have had otherwise.”

Speeches will be presented judged at a public event on March 10, beginning at 6 p.m., at the Towns County Civic Center in Hiawassee.  Admission is free.  The contest could continue on additional nights if student participation warrants multiple judging events. 

Survey finds Towns Democrats' election preferences

In November 2019 Towns County Democrats were polled on their Presidential preferences and policy priorities in an unofficial survey.   Elizabeth Warren received the most votes, while Healthcare was the top priority for respondents.

Every respondent committed to vote for any Democrat in the 2020 elections.  The top candidates and issues were:             

Presidential Primary Choices

1st place  Elizabeth Warren

2nd place tie: Pete Buttigieg, Joe Biden

3rd place tie: Kamala Harris, Bernie Sanders

Democratic priorities

1st place Healthcare, 

2nd place Environment (climate)

3rd place Fair Elections, 

4th place Gun Violence,

5th place Civil Rights (end discrimination),

6th place Immigration

The following priorities tied at 7th place: 

Science & Technology 

Medicare, 

Education, 

Jobs & Economy,

Retirement Security, 

National Security, and

Medicare.

Write-In: defeat dishonest president trump (probably unanimous if it had been a question!)

BIG THANK YOU TO OUR FRIENDS & SUPPORTERS

 

Towns County census response expected to be high

Towns County’s response rate to the 2020 Census could exceed 95 percent, Towns County Democrats heard Thursday night.  

Pat Malone, chairman of the Governor’s Complete Count Committee for Towns and Union Counties said he bases that estimation on Towns’ 88 percent response in 2010, the highest response rate among Georgia’s 159 counties.  He also said the county’s current population of approximately 12,000 is expected to be higher as a result of the decennial count.

The constitutionally required Census starts in earnest on April 1.  Malone stated its purpose is to create an historical record of the nation’s population and form the basis for apportionment of the U.S. House of Representatives as well as the state legislatures, along with the allocation of federal funds.  The first U.S. Census occurred in 1790.

The 2010 Census resulted in an additional seat for Georgia in the U.S. House of Representatives:  the 9th Congressional District which includes Towns and 19 other north Georgia counties.  Census officials anticipate the 2020 count will result in 10 states losing one House seat and seven states gaining seats, including as many as three for Florida and two for Texas.

Based on its population in 2016, Malone said Georgia gets back some $2,000 per person in federal funds and another $1.4 billion through rural assistance programs. Medicaid, Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, or SNAP (food stamps), Medicare Part B, and highway planning and construction are just some of the 82 federal programs whose funds are distributed to states based on their population, he said.

The Census will be conducted online for the first time this year.  For those without access to a computer or Internet service, paper and telephone versions are available, according to Malone. Additionally, all Towns County public libraries will have dedicated Census computers available.

He said residents will be asked how many people live at the residence and whether the residence is owned or rented.  Individuals will be asked to provide their name, gender, age, date of birth, race, whether they live at the residence or somewhere else, and their relationship to the head of the household.

Towns Countians should begin receiving in the mail on March 12 a postcard reminder about the upcoming Census which will include the website address. Reminder letters will be mailed between March 26 and April 3.  Those who have not completed the online process between April 8 and 26 will be mailed a paper form to complete, with a final reminder arriving between April 20 and 27.

Malone said Census enumerators will make personal visits to households who have not responded by the end of May, with enumerators going out “six different times, six different days of the week, and six different times of the day.”  He estimated some 180 people are needed to serve as enumerators for Towns County, and applications are still being taken at 2020census.gov/jobs.  Enumerators are paid $17 an hour and mileage, he said.  Training will be conducted in mid-March.

Census material will be available in 17 different languages with 40 additional language translators available if needed.  Students living on campus and those living in assisted living or nursing homes or other group settings will be reported by the facilities’ administrators.  Enumerators will seek out homeless citizens as well.

Also at Thursday’s monthly meeting, Towns Democrats selected David Plunkett of Young Harris to fill a party vacancy on the bipartisan county Board of Elections and Registration.  He would replace Jim Powell of Hiawassee whose term has expired.

Democrats also heard from David Cooper of Rabun County, a candidate for Georgia State House District 8 which includes Towns, Union, Rabun and White counties.

Along with Towns County Republicans, Towns Democrats are presently assisting with training for the annual Top of Georgia Student Public Speaking Contest which is scheduled for March 10 at 6 p.m. at the county Civic Center in Hiawassee.  The public is invited and admission is free.

Towns County Democrats meet the second Thursday of each month at the civic center.  A pot-luck meal at 6 p.m. is followed by the meeting at 6:30.  For more information about local Democratic activities, visit www.townsdemocrats.com or contact them at townscountydemocrats@gmail.com.