Supporters for a write-in sheriff candidate in Clayton County held a rally at the old courthouse in Jonesboro on Monday, October 15.JONESBORO, Ga. -
Supporters for a write-in sheriff candidate in Clayton County held a rally at the old courthouse in Jonesboro on Monday.
They carried signs and urged early voters in Clayton County to write in the name of Garland Watkins in the race for sheriff.
Former sheriff Victor Hill won the Democratic Primary in August against current sheriff Kem Kimbrough.
There is no Republican candidate so Hill's name is the only one on the ballot. Voters supporting Watkins will have to choose "write-in" on their ballot, and type in Watkins' name.
Watkins acknowledges he faces an uphill battle.
"As you can see we have a very large turnout this morning for the first day of early voting. I think that Clayton County is [a] very intelligent-based community and they are going to make a positive choice," said Watkins.
Hill won 54-percent of the vote in the primary runoff even as he faces a 37-count indictment. Despite the indictment, some voters remain staunch supporters of Hill.
Any registered voter can take advantage of early voting in Georgia. Voters need to make sure to have a government issued ID, like a passport or driver's license. Hours and locations for advance voting will vary from county-to-county. To find information for early voting and find your local election office, visit Georgia's Secretary of State Election Division website.
Hill is scheduled to go on trial in late November on racketeering, theft and other charges.
