CLARKESVILLE, Ga. — Habersham County officials are moving forward with plans to fill the soon-to-be vacant District 3 seat on the Habersham County Board of Commissioners following the resignation of Commissioner Jimmy Tench.
According to Public Information Officer Ashlyn Brady, Tench’s resignation takes effect Feb. 13. The county commission is expected to vote at its Feb. 16 meeting on a resolution calling for a special election to fill the remainder of Tench’s term, which runs through Dec. 31, 2026.
If approved, the special election would be held May 19 in conjunction with Georgia’s general primary, Brady said. The Habersham County Board of Elections is scheduled to consider approval of the call for election at a special called meeting Feb. 17.
Two separate races on May 19
Brady said voters will see two separate District 3 commission races on the May 19 ballot.
One race will be a special election to fill the unexpired term ending Dec. 31, 2026. The other will be a regular election for a full four-year term beginning Jan. 1, 2027.
Although both elections will be held on the same day, they are distinct contests. Candidates who wish to run in both must qualify separately for each race, pay two qualifying fees and complete all required paperwork for both elections, Brady said.
The qualifying period for both elections will run from March 2 through March 6.
If a runoff is required in either race, it would be held June 16, in accordance with state election law, Brady said.
Candidate requirements
To qualify for the District 3 commission seat, candidates must be residents of District 3, have lived in Habersham County for at least 12 months prior to the election, be a qualified voter, be a citizen of Georgia and be at least 21 years old, Brady said.
Election Day for both the special election and the general primary is May 19.
Individuals seeking additional information about qualifying may contact the Habersham County Board of Elections at 706-839-0170 or by email at lellison@habershamga.com, according to Brady.
