Politics & Government

One Election Day, Two Polling Places

Hiram voters won't be called to the polls an extra time this year due to the mayoral race, but they may have to travel to two different places to vote.

Updated 3:10 p.m.

County election officials on Thursday announced that Hiram voters will select a new mayor in March.

The city will hold a special election March 6—it’s the same day as the presidential preference primary, but the elections will be separate. Those wishing to cast ballots for mayor will go to the Hiram Community Center—also the site of early voting Feb. 27-March 2—but those wanting to make a selection in the presidential race will have to travel to their assigned county polling place.

Hiram residents have until Feb. 6 to register to vote in time for the March 6 election.

Find out what's happening in Dallas-Hiramwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

Qualifying for the mayor’s race will be held at Hiram City Hall Jan. 23 and 24, from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.; and Jan. 25, from 8:30 a.m. until noon.

Original report

Hiram voters could pick a new mayor during one of three elections already scheduled this year, or could very well be directed to the polls by a special election.

Find out what's happening in Dallas-Hiramwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

Deidre Holden, supervisor of the Paulding County Elections and Registration office, told Dallas-Hiram Patch on Wednesday that she was communicating with Hiram City Attorney Glen Stinson and Cynthia Geyer——to determine when an election could be set to fill . Paris abruptly resigned during Tuesday’s meeting as the council headed toward making changes to city hall operations, including personnel changes.

Official Georgia Code Annotated 21-2-540 states that “a special primary or special election to fill a vacancy in a county or municipal office” during a presidential election year can be held on one of four days: the day of the presidential preference primary (March 6 this year), the day of the general primary (July 31), the third Tuesday in September (Sept. 18) or the Tuesday after the first Monday in November (Nov. 6’s election day).

Holden said that if a called election is based on O.C.G.A. 21-2-540, it would be held either during the March 6 presidential preference primary, July 31’s general primary or the Nov. 6 general election. Any other election date, she said, would require pre-clearance from the U.S. Department of Justice.

No matter the date, officials will have to call for the election at least a month prior to the holding of it, while potential candidates would have at least two and a half days to qualify to be on the ballot.
Hiram residents have seen two mayors step down in just over six months. Carmen Rollins , citing “personnel issues” and conflicts of interests as reasons behind her departure. Paris, then the city’s mayor pro tem, took over for Rollins July 1 and by a vote of the council.

After serving the remainder of Rollins’ unexpired term, Tuesday was officially the first meeting of Paris’ term as mayor without the interim in front of the title. Voters in November saw Paris as he ran unopposed for the position.

Councilman Derrick Battle, the mayor pro tem, presided over Tuesday’s meeting after Paris walked out after announcing his resignation.

Dallas-Hiram Patch will bring you the latest on Hiram’s election plans as details develop.


Get more local news delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for free Patch newsletters and alerts.

We’ve removed the ability to reply as we work to make improvements. Learn more here

More from Dallas-Hiram