VOTE 2025: Early ballots cast low, but local competitive races decided on Tuesday

Voting wraps up tomorrow in Haralson County with local races set to be decided for two cities, plus decisions on SPLOST and E-SPLOST and the Public Service Commission races for 2025.

Haralson County turnout for early voting came in at just 4.7% of the total, with just 1,062 voters casting a ballot over the past three weeks in off-year local elections. Just 31 absentee ballots were requested and issued, with 26 coming back to the Board of Elections so far.

Countywide, the whole of Haralson County has two issues locally on the ballot. Voters are being asked to extend the Special Purpose, Local Options Sales Tax for another $31 million in projects including a 911 upgrade, the government complex, infrastructure, recreation, general improvements and My Turn Field.

Additional projects would be up for funding through SPLOST for the Cities of Bremen, Buchanan, Tallapoosa and Waco as well.

The E-SPLOST for both the Haralson County School District and Bremen City Schools is also on the ballot, extending collections for another $52 million collected between 2027 and 2033. Multiple projects are included in the request for school building improvement, heat and air replacements, vehicles, equipment and more.

The only contested race for Bremen voters within the city limits includes the mayor’s race between incumbent Sharon Sewell and challenger Dobson “Dobby” Harris. Two council posts are up facing no challengers, so the incumbents are automatic winners. James “Jai” Otwell will continue on as the Post 3 council member without any opposition, and Lin Clayton remains in Post 4.

The school board has two races within their districts, but both are uncontested races. Brandon Barrow and Vann Pelt will both retain their seats for Bremen City School’s Board of Education in the upcoming races since both ran without challengers.

The City of Tallapoosa has a single contested race as well for Mayor. Joe Glass is challenging incumbent Brett Jones for the seat on Tuesday. Post 1 will remain in the hands of Dan Pope, who will win without a challenger in the race, and Post 2 will remain in the hands of Jacqueline Roberts.

Voting kicks off tomorrow morning in the Nov. 4 election for 2025 at 7 a.m. Polls close at 7 p.m. across the county at the following precincts:

• Berea-Steadman – Mt. Zion Church Rd. Fire Station – 402 Mt. Zion Church Rd., Tallapoosa
• Bremen – 417 Rivers Circle, Bremen
• Buchanan – 25 Recreation Lane, Buchanan
• Buncombe – Antioch Baptist Church, 1055 Old Hwy. 100, Waco
• Corinth – Corinth Baptist Church Fellowship Hall, 43 Rockmart Rd., Bremen
• Twentieth – Coppermine Fire Station, 1675 Coppermine Rd., Buchanan
• Felton – Felton Fire Station, 10 Steve Garner Rd., Buchanan
• Little Creek – Fire Station, 7494 Ga. Hwy. 100, Buchanan
• Mt. View – Fire Station – 74 Mtn. View Clubhouse Rd., Buchanan
• Seventh – Fire Station – 1955 Morgan Rd., Bremen
• Tallapoosa – Tallapoosa Senior Center – 160 Windom St., Tallapoosa
• Waco – City Hall Community Center – 135 Atlantic Ave., Waco