Dougherty County official calls for Sunday voting

ALBANY — District 5 Dougherty County Commissioner Clinton Johnson asked members of the Dougherty Board of Elections to reassess that board’s recent decision not to hold Sunday voting during the Nov. 5 general election nor any other subsequent elections.

Election Board member Commodore Conyers told the County Commission at its Monday work session that Elections officials had voted against Sunday voting because of the cost and because Dougherty County voters had not historically taken advantage of extra voting opportunities.

“It would cost the county around an additional $1,100, and we did not see a need (to allow Sunday voting),” Conyers told the commission.

Noting other counties in the state, including Lowndes County, had opted to allow voting on one Sunday during the early voting period, Johnson said similar action in Dougherty County would enhance the Constitutional guarantee of the “inalienable right” to vote.

“I, for one, think this is something we need to do,” Johnson said.

District 1 Commissioner Lamar Hudgins opposed the proposal.

“I find it hard to comprehend how someone doesn’t have an opportunity to vote with 45 days of absentee balloting and three weeks of advance voting,” Hudgins said. “I just can’t figure out how anyone can’t find an opportunity to vote with all those opportunities.”

Commissioners also heard a recommendation from Public Works Director Larry Cook that funding be allocated from special-purpose local-option sales taxes for storm drainage projects in the county. Cook said the projects are most needed on Gassert Avenue, Honeysuckle Drive and Spring Flats Road, portions of which were flooded during recent “high-water events.” The fourth project, on North Westover Road, would be partially funded by the city of Albany.

“Usually we pay the full cost, but on that $400,000 project, our part would be only $250,000,” Cook said.

The commission will be asked to approve that request plus road resurfacing and alcohol license recommendations at its business meeting next week.