The 2022 Election season is underway and there are some local races that will be on the ballot for Chattooga County voters.

Voters will go to the polls in May to vote in either the Republican or Democratic Primary election.  You must pick a ballot during the Primary Election.  Georgia does not require voters to register by political party, so you have the right to choose either ballot.

Voters in Chattooga County that choose the Republican ballot will be voting on the GOP candidate for U.S. Congress.  The winner of that race will face a Democratic candidate and a Libertarian candidate in November.  Also, voters will choose between Colton Moore or Steve Henry for the Georgia State Senate seat.  The winner of that primary will be the next state senator as no Democrats or third-party candidates have qualified.

In the Chattooga Board of Education race, there is a contested race on the Republican ballot between Bonnie Fletcher and Terry Henderson to represent the Lyerly area.  There is no Democrat in that race.  There are two Republicans running to represent the Menlo seat – Lori Brady and Steve Groves and the winner of that race will face incumbent Democrat Lynn Hall in November.  Hall has no primary challengers.

Here are some key dates for the upcoming election:

• April 25: The final day to register to vote in the May 24 primary.
• May 2: Advance voting begins; absentee voting at the elections office at 18 E. 12th St. and the Anthony Recreation Center at 2901 Garden Lakes Blvd. NW.
• May 24: The primary.
• June 21: The primary runoff