UPDATE: Runoffs Send Voters to the Polls Again in August

Update: Aug. 3, 2:10 p.m.

Garnering less than 50 percent, (plus one vote) of the total votes is common when more than two candidates are running for an office. It also means some candidates will face each other again in a runoff election on Tuesday, Aug. 21. Even in a substantial margin of popular vote, these are the rules as promulgated by the State Election Board at the Georgia Secretary of State Elections Division. 

Three sets of candidates are facing a runoff after voters made their choices at Forsyth County's polls Tuesday.

The candidates for District 4 Commissioner, Cindy Mills and Patrick Bell (incumbent), reached a runoff with Mills at 44.16 percent - 2,538 and Bell at 26.71 percent - 1,535.

Mills says she is humbled and encouraged by the faith the voters of District 4 have placed in her. "A 44 percent approval in a five-man race is a strong indicator that the voters want change. I simply want to serve taxpayers with the honesty and respect they deserve. I appreciate all the support my friends and neighbors have given to me and I won't let them down," says Mills. "I need my constituents to remain steadfast in their commitment to the success of our campaign and to vote for me in the runoff on Tuesday, Aug. 21."

In a press release, Patrick Bell stated, "It is clear from tonight’s [Tuesday] outcome that the people of District 4 recognize the value of my pro-business, pro-jobs and pro-economic development agenda, but they want to hear more about our successes. It is evident from the results that the people have confidence in my ability to lead and in my willingness to be part of a team, but they want to know more about my vision for making Forsyth County even greater."

The candidates for sheriff, Ted Paxton (incumbent) and Duane Piper, also reached a runoff with Paxton at 47.64 percent - 13,093 and Piper at 27.40 percent - 7,529.

Paxton says he'll continue to run on his record and accomplishments going into the runoff election. "We're confident on our returns last night [Tuesday], and I welcome the challenge with Piper. I also feel confident that the voters will show me their continued support at the polls and I look forward to supporting them through my service to Forsyth County." 

Duane Piper says he anticipated a runoff and hopes voters will show their support on Aug. 21. "Our volunteers are fully engaged in the campaign effort. We have been working hard for 10 months and we're looking forward to the next three weeks. I appreciate the folks that voted for me in the primary and we are asking them to please come out and do it again on Tuesday, Aug. 21."

Candidates for coroner, Mary Beth Pais and Harold Bennett are at a runoff with votes for Pais coming in at 43.31 percent - 10,570 and Bennett at 33.39 percent - 8,150. 

Mary Beth Pais says she's delighted with the results. "I look forward to the opportunity to share my qualifications with more Forsyth County citizens. I have a wonderful team that will continue to work hard, and I cannot thank them enough."

"Additionally I continue to be the candidate endorsed by Forsyth County law enforcement, fire department, and commissioner. I look forward to Aug. 21 and am hopeful all the wonderful folks who voted for me yesterday [Tuesday] and those who decide I am the best candidate for Forsyth County will take a moment and vote for me as their next Forsyth County Coroner."

Hal Bennett wrote in an e-mail to Cumming Patch, "We are very excited about the upcoming run-off. Going into this campaign with three candidates, we anticipated the runoff and were very confident we would be involved after the primary election." 

"We were very pleased with the people who showed up to vote and urge everyone to please go out and show their support again. Over the next couple of weeks I will continue to show everyone without a doubt why I am the most qualified candidate for the position. Being endorsed by members of law enforcement but most importantly by outstanding members of this community along with my 23 years of working with the medical examiners office and the 20 years serving in our military are what drive me to succeed," Bennett added.

In the highly anticipated sheriff's election, controversy has ebbed and waned throughout the campaigns. Voters now have three additional weeks to show their continued support for their candidate, make a final decision, or even change their minds.

Forsyth County resident, Randy Kells says it appears the county is favoring incumbent, Ted Paxton.

"The incumbent has some problems, but has upgraded certifications and appears to work well with resources. The 'name' challenger has no law enforcement experience but is well connected. The 'no-name' challenger actually seemed to me to have the edge because of the 'outsider' factor compared to the other two well-established political candidates. I felt like Piper would be favored, but the closer politics is to home it seems, the more incumbent-tolerable the voters become."

All residents are highly encouraged to get to the polls to take part in one of Forsyth County's most heated elections. Polls open for the runoff votes on Tuesday, Aug. 21. 

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