By Shane Scoggins
Publisher
Qualifying for council posts in Franklin County’s five cities and two mayoral seats ended Wednesday afternoon.
There will be contested races in all five cities.
Qualifying opened Monday and closed late Wednesday afternoon for the non-partisan municipal elections, which will be decided Nov. 7.
• Canon.
Two council seats, currently held by Eli Brown and Bobby Locke, are up for election this year.
Brown and Locke both qualified for reelection Wednesday, as did challenger Ricky Minish.
The top two votegetters for council in the November election will win seats.
Voting will be held at Canon Baptist Church.
Any runoff needed will be held Dec. 5.
• Carnesville.
Four peoplequalified for two seats on the Carnesville City Council.
Incumbent Patsy Watkins and newcomers Vince Esposito, Gabbie McFarlin and Sherri Cheek qualified for two seats on the council currently held by Watkins and Sid Ginn.
The top two votegetters in the November election will win seats on the council.
Former Franklin County Clerk of Court Missy Holbrook qualified for the mayor’s post, currently held by Harris Little.
Neither Little nor Ginn will run for reelection.
Qualifying closed Wednesday at 4 p.m.
Voting will be held on Nov. 7 at the Carnesville Fire Department.
If needed, a runoff will be held Dec. 5.
• Franklin Springs.
Incumbents Bill Bell and Tommy Pritchett and newcomer Pamela Mayfield qualified for two seats on the Franklin Springs City Council.
Qualifying ended Wednesday at 4:30 p.m.
The top two votegetters for council will win seats.
Voting will be held Nov. 7 at Franklin Springs City Hall.
Any runoff necessary will be held Dec. 5.
• Lavonia.
Lavonia has one contested race.
Incumbent Post 3 council member Eddie Floyd will face former council member Harold Harbin.
Incumbent Mayor Courtney Umbehant and incumbent Post 4 council member Andrew Murphy also qualified, without opposition.
Qualifying ended Wednesday at 4:30 p.m.
Voting on Nov. 7 will be held at the Lavonia Community Center at 39 Poole St.
If a runoff is needed, it will be held Dec. 5.
• Royston.
There will be three seats contested on the Royston City Council.
Incumbent Jason Phillips and Wesley Fricks are running for the Post 2 seat, incumbent Lee Strickland and Fletcher Hodges qualified for Post 4 and incumbent Wayne Braswell and Tony McCollum will be on the ballot for Post 6.
Qualifying ended Wednesday at 4:30 p.m.
Voting on Nov. 7 will be held at Royston City Hall.
Advance voting in each of the city races will be held Oct. 16 through Nov. 3 at the Franklin County Elections and Registration Office, located in the former Carnesville Elementary School, in Carnesville.
The voter registration deadline to be able to vote in the city elections is Oct. 10.