County reports light turnout, redistricting issue in Mableton runoff

Apr. 18—MABLETON — A steady stream of voters trickled into the South Cobb Regional Library on a sunny Tuesday afternoon to select a mayor and four council members for Cobb's newest and largest city.

While Cobb County reported light turnout and no lines at the polls, there were other issues on Election Day.

Elections officials are investigating an issue where some voters eligible to vote in the District 3 runoff did not have the contest on their ballot. The county said the problem affected "about 10" voters.

The county said that as of 4:20 p.m., about 1,800 people had voted, with a couple of hours left until polls closed.

Early voting, which took place last week, saw 2,741 people cast a ballot in-person.

One of 15 polling locations opened late Tuesday morning after poll workers had trouble setting up machines. As a result, Cobb Superior Court Judge Kimberly Childs ordered the Mableton 02 precinct, located at Mableton Elementary, to remain open 10 minutes past its scheduled closing time of 7 p.m.

A number of voters told the MDJ that Mableton cityhood is so new, they don't know what to think of it, but there should be a better flow of information about how the city will work.

"I don't fully understand everything yet, and I think most people feel the same way," Daemon Goodwin said.

Added voter Tony Simmons, "We need more information on how the city will be run. Where will the government complex be located? Will taxes go up? We're lacking information."

Other concerns were over making sure the new government listens to its citizens.

"I just want them to listen to the people who voted," Pamela Bowles said. "I'm interested in learning more about rezoning, trash collection and education. I haven't really heard much about these issues."

Deborah King said she voted against Mableton becoming a city in last fall's cityhood referendum.

"But I'm here to support my candidate and want to see movement and growth in the city," she said.

Road construction is the main area of concern for voter Hosea Jones.

"I'd like to see the bottleneck at Floyd Road fixed and expanded," Jones said. "Roads are my first priority."

Other voters were interested in how sewage management would change.

"I'd like to know more about getting sewage connections to areas with only septic tanks, that's my main concern," said Ralph Lyda, a church organist.

Linda Grice, a manager at RaceTrac, wants to see the homeless situation addressed.

"We need to find homes for people," Grice said. "There doesn't seem to be much help out there."

Two Mableton council members were elected in the March election: Ron Davis won a two-way race in District 1, and Debora Herndon won unopposed in District 6.

Candidates in four council races and the race for mayor advanced to the runoff. They are:

—Mayor: Aaron Carman and Michael Owens

—District 2: Monica DeLancy and Dami Oladapo

—District 3: Yashica Marshall and Keisha Jeffcoat

—District 4: Patricia Auch and Cassandra Brown

—District 5: TJ Ferguson and Cheryl Davis

For results on Tuesday's election, visit mdjonline.com.