Paulding voters thumbs-up on ballot amendments, but reject Amendment 1 in election results

Along with deciding the next president Paulding voters were presented with a November ballot that included several constitutional amendments including one that would allow the state “to intervene in chronically failing public schools” and additionally, two special elections asked voters to approve a $77 million bond issue toward a new jail facility and sheriff’s administrative offices, and another to approve Sunday sale of alcoholic beverages in unincorporated Paulding County.Paulding voters said “No” to Amendment 1 that allowed for state intervention in schools by a margin of just over 61 percent, but said “Yes” to the $77 million bond issue to build a new jail and sheriff’s office and also voted in favor of allowing Sunday sales of alcohol in unincorporated Paulding County.
Problems with Paulding’s current jail range from limited space pushed to house more inmates than the 210 the building was intended for and structural problems that have led to water leaks, to hardship’s on staff. Paulding Sheriff Gary Gulledge also said he would like to see consolidation for the sheriff’s offices, which are currently spread over locations on Industrial Way and downtown Dallas.
Additionally voters said “Yes” to Constitutional Amendments 2, 3 and 4. Amendment 2 authorizes penalties for sexual exploitation and assessments on adult entertainment to fund child victims’ services. Amendment 3 re-establishes the Judicial Qualifications Commission and provides for composition, governance and powers and Amendment 4 decides revenue from the existing tax on fireworks to trauma care, fire services and public safety.
Paulding County Elections Supervisor Deidre Holden commented after the Board of Commissioners first October meeting that she hoped to see a turnout of up to 85 percent of registered voters in this election. Voter turnout for the Presidential Election was just under 80 percent of registered voters.
Compared with the 2012 election, when there were 85,923 registered voters, turnout was at 80 percent.
Former Post 1 Commissioner David Carmichael, unopposed in the November election, will replace Chairman David Austin in January. Other local races were uncontested, and no Democrats were running for local elected positions. 
Local officials unopposed for re-election included Paulding Sheriff Gary Gulledge, Tax Commissioner Bill Watson, Probate Court Judge Deborah Andersen, Superior Court Clerk Treva Shelton, and Magistrate Court Judge Martin Valbuena and Paulding Superior Court Judges Tony Beavers and Dean Bucci.

photo: R Grant