Today is the special election for the District 2 Commissioner position in Athens-Clarke County. Early voting commenced on February 27 and will run until 7pm today.
Applications for absentee ballots are available and will be accepted until March 10, with absentee ballots to be mailed from February 27. In-person voting will be available on March 4, March 11, and March 12 at the Athens-Clarke County Elections office.
The Athens-Clarke County Commission is a group of elected officials responsible for representing the interests of each district's residents and devising policies for the betterment of the community. The upcoming election is being held to fill the vacancy left by Mariah Parker, who resigned in September 2022 to focus on labor union activism with Raise Up the South.
Melissa Link, a former District 3 Commissioner, and Kirrena Gallagher, a former Athens-Clarke County Board of Education member, are the candidates vying for the vacant position. Link's platform focuses on making affordable housing and student housing more accessible, preserving historical buildings, and combating environmental destruction. Gallagher aims to support local homeless populations and provide resources to Athens youth, with a focus on sustainable solutions.
In-person voting will take place at 155 East Washington St. Athens, GA 30601, while absentee ballots can be mailed to P.O. box number 1828. For further inquiries, contact the Athens-Clarke County Director of Elections and Voter Registration, Charlotte Sosebee, at charlotte.sosebee@accgov.com.
