Voters in Chattooga County will head to the polls Tuesday to take part in two important special elections, one for Georgia State Senate District 53 and another for Georgia’s 14th Congressional District. Both races were triggered by recent political changes and will determine who fills the remaining terms in those seats.

The State Senate District 53 race was called after former State Senator Colton Moore stepped down from the seat earlier this year to run for Congress. The district includes Chattooga, Catoosa, Dade, and Walker counties, along with a portion of Floyd County, meaning voters across Northwest Georgia — including Chattooga County — will help decide who represents the district at the Georgia Capitol.

Four candidates are on the ballot in the Senate race:

  • Blake Elsberry, Republican, Walker County

  • Denise Pierce Burns, Republican, Catoosa County

  • Lanny Thomas, Republican, Chattooga County

  • John Bentley Zibluk, Democrat, Walker County

Because the election is a special election, all candidates appear together on one ballot regardless of party affiliation. If no candidate receives more than 50 percent of the vote, a runoff election between the top two candidates would be held.

At the same time, Chattooga County voters will also help choose a new U.S. Representative for Georgia’s 14th Congressional District. The district covers much of Northwest Georgia, including Chattooga, Floyd, Walker, Whitfield, Catoosa, Dade, Murray, Polk, and Paulding counties, along with parts of Cobb County.

The congressional race features a large field of candidates from multiple parties. Like the Senate race, the contest will appear on a single ballot and will go to a runoff if no candidate receives a majority of the vote.

Election officials remind voters that polls will be open Tuesday from 7 a.m. until 7 p.m. at their assigned voting locations. Voters must bring a valid photo ID when they come to vote. All voting will take place at local precinct polling places, and no voting will take place at the Chattooga County Registrar’s Office on Election Day.