The Tide - notes in the ebb and flow of news

Early voting began Monday in McIntosh County on a referendum about zoning for Sapelo Island’s Hogg Hummock. Election Supervisor Elenore “Doll” Gale reported that 52 people voted on the first day.

The Hogg Hummock area is inhabited by descendants of enslaved West Africans and is the last Gullah Geechee community on a Georgia barrier island. The county commission approved zoning changes on Sapelo in September, 2023.  The new zoning allows bigger, taller houses, which residents fear will force out Sapelo descendants in favor of wealthy developers. ​

Using the “Home Rule” provision of the state constitution, the “Keep Sapelo Geechee” coalition launched a petition that resulted in the referendum being put to voters.

Voters are asked to vote yes or no on the question “Shall the Action of the Board of Commissioners of McIntosh County, Georgia, amending the McIntosh County Code of Ordinances Appendix C Sec. 219 HH Hog Hammock District of the McIntosh County Ordinance be repealed?”

The same week Probate Judge Harold Webster approved the petition and set the election date, the McIntosh County Commission challenged the validity of the referendum in McIntosh County Superior Court. The local circuit of judges recused themselves, and Superior Court Senior Judge Gary C. McCorvey was assigned the case. Last week McCorvey ordered a hearing on the issue at 9 a.m. Sept. 20 at the McIntosh County Superior Court, 310 North Way, Darien.

McIntosh is not the first county to wrestle with a voter challenge to a county commission decision. A petition-driven single issue referendum in Camden County in 2022 was similarly challenged by its county commission. Voters overwhelmingly cast “Yes” ballots to repeal a decision to move forward with the county’s spaceport plans. The Georgia Supreme Court ultimately upheld the public’s veto.

The McIntosh County Board of Elections is the site for early voting.
Early voting on the Sapelo referendum began Monday at the McIntosh County Board of Elections office with 52 voters casting ballots. Credit: Susan Catron/The Current GA

When and where to vote in the Hogg Hummock referendum

Early, in-person voting continues from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Mon-Fri. through Sept. 27 and 9 a.m. – 5 p.m. Saturday Sept. 14 and 21 at the McIntosh County Board of Elections office, 103 Jefferson St., Darien.

The deadline to request an absentee ballot and mail-out a ballot is Sept. 20 for the Oct. 1 Special Election. All polls will be open on Oct. 1 from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.

The Tide brings regular notes and observations on news and events by The Current staff.

Type of Story: News

Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources.

Mary Landers is a reporter for The Current in Coastal Georgia with more than two decades of experience focusing on the environment. Contact her at mary.landers@thecurrentga.org She covered climate and...