LaFayette – The first Board of Commissioners election doesn’t take place until 2020, but the staff at the Walker County Elections Office is already hard at work making sure every voter is placed in the correct district.
Danielle Montgomery, Director of Elections, says “We are working with the GIS for Walker County and trying to get each street in each district so we have every street in every district so we can put that into our system and that way if someone looks up on their My Voter Page they can see what district they are in. It is a long and tedious process.”
It could take several months for Montgomery and her team to complete this task. Meanwhile, voters with questions about which district they are in can contact the Elections office for verification. “We have some maps and we’d be glad to answer any questions or emails about what district they are in, because we can see it, but we haven’t gotten it into the system where they can see it.”
As for those wanting to run for office, Montgomery says there are some important steps to consider before moving forward. “You need to fill out a Declaration of Intent, it’s also known as a DOI, before you can accept money. So, no business cards no signs or anything until you’ve completed this Declaration of Intent.”
Forms can be obtained from the Elections Office on the bottom floor of the courthouse in LaFayette. For additional information, call (706) 638-4349 or email the Elections Office at elections@walkerga.us.
Four district commissioners and an at-large chairperson will be on the ballot. Party qualifying takes place in 2020 from March 2nd through the 6th with the Primary scheduled for May 19th. Those wanting to run as an Independent should contact the Elections Office to learn more about that process. “It’s a little bit more in depth than running under a party system,” says Montgomery.
The General Election is set for November 3, 2020. The inaugural group of District Commissioner’s and Board Chair takes office January 1, 2021.