“Every right implies a responsibility; every opportunity, an obligation; every possession, a duty.” — John D. Rockefeller.

VALDOSTA — All Lowndes County precincts will open their voting booths at 7 a.m. on Election Day Tuesday, kicking off 12 hours of citizens carrying out their hard-earned right to vote.

At the polls Lowndes County voters will cast their ballots for everything from Valdosta City Council Districts 2 and 6 to Hahira City Council Districts 1 and 4 to expanding the Lowndes County Board of Commissioners by creating two new super districts to Dasher City Council Post 2 to Valdosta Board of Education Superward East District 7, Superward West District 8, At Large District and District 4.

During the combination nine-day period of early voting and week-long period of advance voting, a total of 1,148 ballots were cast.

Supervisor of Elections Deb Cox noted that there are roughly 57,000 registered voters in Lowndes County.

A total of 33 candidates qualified in

September to have their names placed on ballots, seeking one of 19 offices available during the 2009 elections. Cox said that 10 of those candidates had no opposition and will be certified on Nov. 6, in accordance with the Official Code of Georgia, Section 21-2-285j.

This includes Alvin Payton Jr., Valdosta City Council District 4; David W. Bullard Sr., City of Hahira mayor; Kenneth E. Allen, City of Dasher mayor; Julian Q. Copeland Jr., Dasher City Council Post 1; Walker K. Sandlin, City of Lake Park mayor; Albert R. Carter, Lake Park City Council; Paul R. Mulkey, Lake Park City Council; Eric Schindler, Lake Park City Council; Jeffery L. Spradley, Lake Park City Council; and Vanassa L. Flucas, Valdosta Board of District 2.

In early September, the Lowndes County Board of Elections officially gave notice that the Lake Park elections had been canceled due to the candidates having no opposition.

Rodney R. Flucas, candidate for the Valdosta City Council District 2 seat, dropped out of the race.

A total of 22 candidates remain, vying for seats on the Valdosta City Council, Hahira City Council, Dasher City Council, as well as the Valdosta Board of Education.

If a runoff becomes necessary, as may be the case in the Valdosta City Council District 2 race due to the number of candidates running, it will be held on Dec. 1, according to the Georgia Secretary of State’s Elections Division.

Lowndes County polling places