Early voting begins Oct. 12
Ellijay voters will have one question to decide in an upcoming special election — Should sales of packaged liquor be allowed within the city limits?
The item — “Shall the issuance of licenses for the package of distilled spirits be approved?” — will go to vote Tuesday, Nov. 2. The Gilmer County Civic Center polling place will be open from 7 a.m.-7 p.m. on Election Day.
Early voting begins Tuesday, Oct. 12, and will run through Friday, Oct. 29. It can be done in person at Ellijay City Hall Monday-Friday, from 8:30 a.m.-4 p.m.
Early votes can also be cast at City Hall on two Saturdays, Oct. 16 and 23, from 9 a.m.-5 p.m. The Saturday voting comes as a result of changes made by a state law passed earlier this year, confirmed Sandra Sales, Ellijay’s election superintendent.
Absentee ballot applications will be available through Friday, Oct. 22. All absentee ballots must be returned by 7 p.m. on Nov. 2.
Prior to the passage of Georgia Senate Bill 145 into law earlier this year, 35 percent of registered voters had to sign a petition to get packaged liquor sales on a ballot before the item could be voted on.
The legislation allows cities and counties to put the item on a ballot by passing a resolution or ordinance, which the Ellijay council did at its July meeting.
“The citizens still make the decision. It’s still in the hands of the citizens whether it passes or not,” said Mayor Al Hoyle following that council meeting.
Packaged beer and wine can currently be sold in Ellijay, but not packaged liquor, confirmed councilman Al Fuller. If the item passes, a packaged liquor license fee will have to be determined, he noted.
The liquor sales question is the only Ellijay ballot item that will be decided on the upcoming first Tuesday of November.
There are no seats or ballot items up for vote in the county or East Ellijay this time around, confirmed the Gilmer County Registrar’s Office.