Vote 2021: Polls open for municipal elections countywide

November 2, 2021

Ballots this year include E-SPLOST extension, Cedartown Brunch Bill, Aragon and Rockmart contested city council races

The polls have been open since 7 a.m. countywide as municipal elections take place in Cedartown, Rockmart and Aragon and the countywide decision on the extension of the E-SPLOST is being considered for this round of voting in 2021.

All seven precincts in Polk County are open, with some people voting on items on the ballot, and others only having a single issue to decide.

Here’s what you need to know for today’s election:

Countywide

The only issue countywide that every voter will be deciding this year is whether to allow for an extension of the Education-only Special Purpose Local Option Sales tax collections through 2031.

If approved, the Board of Education has laid out a package of construction and improvements to campuses across the Polk School District that includes but isn’t limited to a new Fine Arts wing at Rockmart High School to match that built at Cedartown High, new artificial turf at both high school football fields, among other purchases like replacement buses, new technology, and more.

The total amount being sought for the projects is not to exceed $25 million in bond sales, and the proceeds of penny sales tax collections from the E-SPLOST would go to pay back the bonds over a schedule of several years.

SPLOST in recent years has been used to pay for a variety of upgrades within the system to positive effect, including new weight room facilities at Rockmart High School and gym renovations, a new press box on their football field, additional storage and restroom facilities outdoors at Rockmart High and Middle Schools, the new Agriculture Education facility at Rockmart High School, the Polk County College and Career Academy campus and a new Fine Arts Wing at Cedartown High School, a drainage project at the CHS softball field, technology upgrades, buses, equipment and much more.

Voters get to decide on this issue at all seven of the precincts.

Aragon

The voters of Aragon are deciding several items today, among the most important is who will sit on the council starting in January 2022.

Two city council seats are up for grabs among three candidates – incumbent Daniel Johnson is facing challengers in Dickie Gazaway and Stephen Wilson – as the three vie for two seats open this year that are at-large. Johnson, who began his time on the council last year after being the only candidate to qualify in a special election, looks to retain his seat.

Gazaway and Wilson are vying for Johnson and a second seat held by Amy Causey.

Aragon voters are also being asked about Sunday Sales and whether they will expand to allow liquor sales as well within the city limits. Earlier during the summer, it was in doubt about whether the city would pass resolutions allowing the sales to go on the ballot. Both measures made it in front of voters this year after going up a second time for a vote in August before the council.

If approved, it would extend malt beverage sales to be allowed on Sundays, and a second measure would allow the city to put in place ordinances governing liquor sales as well.

Rockmart

The city has a few issues for the voters to decide on, and those living within Ward 1 get to determine who will represent them on the council starting in 2022.

Rockmart in District 1 have a contested race between incumbent Joe Henderson and challenger Will Dover. Council members Lucille Harris and Mike Bradley will retain their seats without opposition for the 2021 municipal elections.

Voters in Rockmart are also being asked to consider whether they will allow for liquor sales within the city limits as well. Currently, Cedartown is the only municipality with package liquor sales being allowed, and have this year seen the addition of new liquor stores open their doors as well.

Cedartown

Cedartown voters will only have the ESPLOST and one other item to consider this year after Commissioners qualified unopposed – and one of those twice.

Local residents will be determining whether they will allow an extension of alcohol sales in restaurants on Sundays, allowing people to order spirits starting at 11 a.m. instead of the current time of 12:30 p.m.

City Commissioners all qualified to run unopposed for their seats, meaning that Jessica Payton, Matt Foster and Sam Branch will all retain their seats for the next four years. Payton – who had an issue with a check not clearing – had to qualify twice during a special three-day session and remained in the race without anyone else joining in.

Where to vote today

The following locations listed below are polling places in Polk County, and the links on each one point to a Google Map for help getting directions. Visit the Secretary of State’s My Voter Page to check your status for voting, and which of these polling locations you need to visit.

To access information on the state’s My Voter Page in the link above, you’ll need to include your first initial, last name, county of residence, and date of birth to login.