Polls open Tuesday
By Elizabeth Billips Associate Editor

The race for Waynesboro's new mayor will be decided next Tuesday.

With absentee and advance voting in full swing through Friday, 156 Waynesboro residents had already cast their ballots yesterday (Tuesday) afternoon.

If the last mayoral election trend holds true, around 75 percent of voters will wait for Election Day on Nov. 7.

For mayor, voters will be deciding between former mayor George DeLoach and former vice-mayor Pauline Jenkins.

In the last several mayoral elections, the candidate to carry Ward 1 has won.

Though not the largest, Ward 1 consistently records the highest voter turnout. Right now, there are 881 active voters living there.

In the last mayoral election, Ward 1 accounted for nearly 60 percent of the total votes, not including its absentee ballots.

But better overall turnout could tip the tally, especially if Ward 2 voters don't sleep through this election.

With 890 registered voters, Ward 2 is the largest in the city - but its potential strength in numbers has traditionally fizzled out at the polls.

In the last mayoral election, Ward 2 accounted for only 30 percent of the total votes.

Ward 3, the smallest in the city, has 627 voters and had a turnout of 38 percent last time.

When they go to the polls, Ward 3 voters will also be deciding who their next city councilman will be - incumbent Willie Roy Williams or retired NYPD officer William Alston.

In 2003's three-way race for the seat, Williams sailed in with 131 votes to his competitors' combined 105.

In Ward 1, councilman Bill Tinley will be running unopposed, as will Herman Brown for Ward 2.
VOTER BREAKDOWN
2,398 registered voters
881 in Ward 1
890 in Ward 2
627 in Ward 3