Thursday, Nov. 7, 2024
Good morning. As citizens analyze the results of the 2024 national election, The Current is focused locally — as we always do. We’re looking at races where voters slotted newcomer sheriff candidates, exploring how Chatham’s district attorney won reelection, and explaining the transparency behind the ballot-counting process.
Questions, comments or story ideas? Reach out to us at staff@thecurrentga.org.
NEWS: ELECTIONS, PUBLIC SAFETY
New sheriffs in Coastal Georgia
Voters elected three first-time candidates for sheriff in Coastal Georgia in this week’s election, a signal that voters looked for reform in these powerful law enforcement positions.
The job of sheriff includes running the county jail, caring for detainees and often intervening in rehabilitative programs, as well as serving warrants and protecting the courthouses.
The sheriff-elects will serve Camden, McIntosh and Chatham counties.
NEWS: ELECTIONS
Chatham district attorney wins second term
Chatham’s other closely-watched race ended up with a second-term victory for Shalena Cook Jones, the Democratic incumbent Chatham County District Attorney.
Cook Jones collected 72,074 votes, or 53.39%, while her Republican opponent, Andre Pretorius, received 62,909 votes, or 46.61%, according to unofficial vote tallies on Wednesday.
Cook Jones’ reelection comes despite a wave of criticism against her and her agenda since taking office in 2021. Cook Jones has had to manage the Covid-induced backlog of criminal cases and navigate an hostile political climate where opponents accused her of being soft on crime.
Cook Jones says voters have sent a message to keep her priorities, including more diversionary programs for non-violent offenders, beefing up initiatives like the cold case and conviction integrity units, and improving advocacy for victims.
ANALYSIS: ELECTIONS
How did Coastal Georgia vote?
Over a quarter of a million Georgians in Coastal Georgia cast ballots for U.S. president this week.
That makes up 58% of registered voters, meaning 190,000 coastal residents who could vote — didn’t.
The Current‘s Maggie Lee mapped out the presidential votes in each of the coastal counties.
ANALYSIS: ELECTIONS, PUBLIC SAFETY
ICYMI: Secure and transparent
Democratic and Republican poll watchers and attorneys agreed on one thing Tuesday night: the election in Chatham County was secure and transparent.
A lot of that is due to the man in the photo above: Billy Wooten. The Chatham County elections supervisor made sure polling places and the counting annex were secured with police officers. The annex had an expansive spectator section and clearly demarcated every part of the counting process.
The Current was in the room watching it all occur. Read more from our dispatch.
Three new sheriffs elected in Coastal Georgia as voters seek change
Voters elevated first-time candidates for sheriff across Coastal Georgia, in powerful positions that control detention and enforcing laws.
Coastal Georgia votes for president
About 261,000 Georgians from six coastal counties cast a vote for president in 2024. Republican Donald Trump took about 131,000 votes, dominating precincts in more rural areas. Democrat Kamala Harris did best in larger towns and city precincts, with about 130,000 votes. About 58% of registered voters cast a ballot. That means about […]
Robust Election Day turnout in Coastal Georgia. Here are the voices
The Current’s reporters are visiting precincts in Coastal Georgia throughout Election Day to talk to voters. Here’s what we’re hearing.
Judge stalls permits for larger homes on Sapelo
Zoning that allows larger houses on Sapelo Island is put on hold while the courts decide on the legality of a referendum on the same issue.
He joined his local election board because he was concerned about fraud. He found none.
When Keith Spitznogle joined the Bryan County Election Board he was prepared to prove a flawed process. What he found was different.
Pro-Trump poll watchers chase vote fraud in Savannah
In Savannah, it’s clear that the men aren’t serving as poll watchers to ensure, strictly speaking, a fair election; they’re serving as poll watchers to ensure Trump doesn’t lose.
Support independent, solutions-based investigative journalism without bias, fear or favor on issues affecting Savannah and Coastal Georgia.
You must be logged in to post a comment.