Sandy Springs Election Guide 2021: Dates, Candidates, How To Vote

SANDY SPRINGS, GA — The Nov. 2 election is quickly approaching in Sandy Springs, and voters have already begun submitting absentee ballots through early voting locations, mail and drop boxes. This year, voters will decide on races for City Council.

Here's some information to help you prepare for Election Day in Sandy Springs.

Who's Running

The following people have qualified for office in the City of Sandy Springs for the Municipal Election on Nov. 2:

Mayor

• Dontaye Carter
• Rusty Paul

District 1

• John Paulson
• Megan Harris

District 2

• Melody Kelley
• Linda Trickey

District 3

• Eric Newberg
• Melissa Mular
• Leslie Mullis

District 4

• Vernon Graham
• Michelle Sullivan
• Jody Reichel
• Tochie Blad

District 5

• Tibby DeJulio
• Colin Hubbard

District 6

• Andy Bauman
• Jeff Howe

Dates

• Friday, Oct. 29: Final day of advanced (absentee in-person) voting for the November General Municipal and Special Election
• Nov. 2: November General Municipal and Special Election

Early Voting

Early Voting ends at 6 p.m. on Friday, Oct. 29. Locations in Sandy Springs can be found online.

ID Requirements

To vote in person or apply for an absentee ballot, you will need to show ID. There are six acceptable forms of photo ID:

• Georgia Driver's License, even if expired
• Valid ID issued by any state or the Federal Government
• Valid employee ID issued by the Federal Government, the State of Georgia, or a county, city, or other government entity of Georgia
• Valid US passport
• Valid US military ID
• Valid tribal ID

If you are applying for an absentee ballot or you are a first-time registrant by mail who has not already provided a photo ID, there are five more forms of ID you can use:

• Current utility bill
• Bank statement
• Government check
• Paycheck
• Other government document

For more information about Georgia's ID requirements, visit the Secretary of State's page.

Absentee Ballots

Absentee voting will be different this year with Georgia's new voting law. Last year, the State Election Board allowed local election offices to set up secure absentee drop boxes as long as there was around-the-clock video surveillance. But starting this year, drop boxes must be located inside the county's election office or early voting locations.

Absentee ballots must be received by your local County Board of Registrar's Office by the time polls close on Election Day at 7 p.m. in order to be counted.

Election Day

The polls will be open for the Nov. 2 General Election from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. You can verify your precinct and polling location by visiting the Secretary of State Poll Locator. If you are in line by 7 p.m., you are allowed to cast your ballot.

On Election Day, you must vote at your designated polling place. You can find your assigned polling location on your voter registration card, by logging into the Secretary of State's My Voter Page, or by contacting your County Board of Registrar's Office.

When you get to your polling place, show your photo ID to the poll worker. A poll worker will check your photo ID, verify that you are registered and at the correct polling location, issue you a voter access card or ballot, whichever is applicable, and allow you to vote. Learn how to vote at polling places in Georgia.

What's on the Ballot

Fulton County voters will decide if the county-wide Transporation Special Purpose Local Option Sales Tax should be continued for another five years.

Sample ballots are now available for Fulton County voters. You can find sample ballots in two ways:

• Go to Georgia My Voter Page. Enter your personal information and click submit. A link to your sample ballot will be under the Voter Information tab.

Alternatively you may:

• Use your precinct number to look up your sample ballot in the dropdown online.
  • First, find your precinct number. After you sign in to the Georgia My Voter Page, find your polling place and precinct number located under the Polling Place for State, County and Municipal Elections tab.
  • Use your precinct number to look up your card number look up your card number (card numbers are used to identify your sample ballot).
  • When you locate your card number, use the drop down below to see your sample ballot.

For more information, visit mvp.sos.ga.