UPDATE: Bibb County Board of Elections Sets September 27th Election Date, Commissioners Vote for November

MACON, Georgia (41NBC/WMGT) — In a 3 to 1 vote late this afternoon, the Bibb County Board of Elections set a September 17th date for nonpartisan elections for the new consolidated government.

The vote comes after the Bibb County Board of Commissioners issued a call this morning for a November 5th date.

Initially, Commission Joe Allen made a motion to approve September 17th elections, which was seconded by Commissioner Gary Becthel but it was voted down by the other members.

Even though the commission gave a reccomendation, Board of Elections member, Ronnie Miley says it’s ultimately up to their board to decide when an election will be held.

Four members were present at this afternoon’s board of elections meeting. Acting as the chair of the board, vice-chair Steve Allen initially abstained from the vote.

The board later voted, and Allen said although he as a Democrat, he would have voted against the September date, he said yes to move the process along.

He’s confident people will come out and vote in September.

“I think the other members were of the feeling that this would simply give us more time. our main concern is that we do anticipate, it may not come to pass, but we do anticipate having a run-off. And if we had a November election, that means a run-off would be in December,” said Allen.

The date for a run-off election is October 19th.

Qualifying will reopen from August 5th through August 7th. Candidates who already qualified will no have to do so again. They will, however, have to sign a new affidavit. Anyone who wishes to drop out of the race will receive a full refund.

Tonight on the news at 11, 41NBC’s Tucker Sargent will have more on this story.