Blue Ridge, Ga. – The City of Blue Ridge is gearing up for the 2021 General Election. All Council seats and the seat of Mayor will be on the ballot.

In a brief teleconference meeting held on Jan. 20, 2021, Council (Nathan Fitts and Mike Panter absent) along with Mayor and City Attorney passed the Resolution Qualifying Fee and did a first reading of the 2021 Election Ordinance.

A second reading of the 2021 Election Ordinance will take place at City Council’s regular monthly meeting scheduled in February.

Qualifying fees for the open seats are $252.00 for seat of Mayor and $180.00 for a seat on City Council.

Qualifying period for those wishing to run in the 2021 City of Blue Ridge General Election is as follows:

“Monday, August 16, 2021, and will continue from day-to-day through Friday, August 20, 2021.  The hours of qualifying each day shall be from 8:30 a.m. until 4:30 p.m. August 16-19, 2021 and 8:30 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. August 20, 2021 (except for a one hour lunch break beginning at 1:00 p.m. each day).”

Each position is to serve a four year term beginning on Jan. 1, 2022 and ending on Dec. 31, 2025.

These terms, however, are subject to change due to a recent resolution passed by City Council wishing to stagger the election in the future. Staggering of the elections would eliminate all seats becoming open during the same election period.

The Resolution of Qualifying Fee states:

“The terms of the Mayor and each Councilmember are subject to any change imposed by a new City Charter providing for staggered terms of election or general state law.  Notice is herein provided that the City Council passed a resolution on November 30, 2020”

The General Election will take place on Tuesday, Nov. 2, 2021 with voting at City Hall located at 480 West First Street, Blue Ridge, Ga. 30513. Polls open at 7 a.m. and will close at 7 p.m.

The last day for voter/elector registration to vote in the 2021 General Election is Monday, Oct. 4, 2021, by 5:00 p.m. 

Open seats in the 2021 General Election are as follows with current incumbent listed:

City Council

• Post 1 – Harold Herdon
• Post 2 – Rhonda Haight
• Post 3 – Mike Panter
• Post 4 – Robbie Cornelius
• Post 5 – Nathan Fitts

Mayor

• Donna Whitener