Middle Georgia voters decide mayoral races, council seats, and ESPLOST measures
Local elections across Middle Georgia include mayoral contests, SPLOST renewals, and two statewide Public Service Commission seats.
Click here for election results after 7pm.
MACON, Georgia (41NBC/WMGT- Voters across Middle Georgia are heading to the polls today to decide dozens of local races and special tax measures, along with two statewide contests for the Georgia Public Service Commission.
Statewide races
Two seats on the Georgia Public Service Commission, which regulates utilities and energy rates, are on the ballot.
In District 2, Democrat Alicia Johnson faces incumbent Republican Tim Echols.
In District 3, Republican incumbent Fitz Johnson is challenged by Democrat Peter Hubbard.
Both races are expected to draw statewide attention as Georgians weigh who will help set the state’s long-term energy policy.
Bibb and Houston counties
In Bibb County, voters are deciding whether to renew the county’s Education Special Purpose Local Option Sales Tax (ESPLOST), which funds school construction and technology projects.
Houston County voters will also decide an ESPLOST renewal, along with mayoral and council races in Warner Robins and Perry.
In Warner Robins, incumbent Mayor LaRhonda Patrick faces Fabian Velazquez.
Perry’s incumbent Mayor Randall Walker is being challenged by Christopher Smith.
City council contests include two races in Perry and an at-large special election in Centerville.
Baldwin and Bleckley counties
In Milledgeville, incumbent Mayor Mary Parham-Copelan is being challenged by Walter Reynolds. Three city council districts are also on the ballot, including multi-candidate races in Districts 2 and 6.
In Bleckley County, voters will decide between Cassandra Stanley and Dianne Lawson Lester for the Cochran City Council District 3, Post 1 seat.
Middle Georgia SPLOST and local measures
Several counties are asking voters to renew sales tax programs that fund local schools, transportation, or public improvements:
Crawford County – Transportation SPLOST
Dodge, Johnson, Jones, Laurens, Monroe, Peach, Taylor, Wilcox, and Wilkinson counties – education or general SPLOST renewals
Laurens County voters will also consider school bonds and two local homestead exemption questions affecting Dublin residents.
Mayoral and city council races
Local leadership contests are on ballots throughout the region:
Fort Valley (Peach County): Incumbent Mayor Jeffery Lundy faces Shakeena Reeves, Andrew Kim, and Anthony Clark.
Perry, Milledgeville, Marshallville, Ideal, Reynolds, and Tennille also have contested mayoral races.
Dozens of city council seats are up for election across several other cities including Unadilla, Vienna, Byromville, Gray, Rentz, Montezuma, Forsyth, Alamo, and Gordon.
Alcohol sales and local referendums
Montezuma, Harrison, and Ivey have referendums on Sunday alcohol sales or local licensing for beverages by the drink and package sales.
Wilkinson County voters in Irwinton, Toomsboro, Gordon, and Ivey will see multiple questions on alcohol regulation.
What’s next
Polls close at 7 p.m., and local election officials are expected to release initial results throughout the evening.
We’ll have updates on 41NBC News at 11, 41NBC.com, and the 41NBC News app as vote totals are reported from each county.
