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ROCKDALE COUNTY, GA—Long-time incumbent Oz Nesbitt, who is in a heated race with JaNice VanNess for Rockdale County Commission chairman, gained 8 more votes after the May 21 election results were certified on Friday, May 24, 6:30 p.m.
After certification, Nesbitt ended up with 41.71% (5,195 votes) versus 41.67% (5,187 votes) reported in unofficial results on May 21. Nesbitt received the additional votes after all absentee, early voting, Election Day, provisional and challenged ballots, and ballots cast by uniformed and overseas citizens were certified by the Rockdale Board of Voter Registration and Elections , three days after the primary elections.
VanNess’ results remained unchanged. She received 35.05% (4,363 votes), certified results show.
Nesbitt inched ahead of his opponent by 832 votes, according to final results.
Nesbitt has served two four-year terms as Commissioner Post 1 and is currently serving a second four-year as Chairman of the Rockdale County board of Commissioners.
VanNess formerly served as a member of the Georgia State Senate from 2015 to 2017, representing District 43, which includes art of Rockdale, Newton and DeKalb counties. Prior to serving in the state senate, VanNess was a Rockdale County Commissioner for eight years, serving two terms. She is founder of private schools in Rockdale and Newton counties called Peachtree Academy.
The election certification was held on Friday at 6:30 p.m. at the Rockdale Board of Voter Registration and Elections office, 1115 West Ave. S.W., Conyers. Although the certification was open to the public, no one from the public attended, said Rockdale Supervisor of Elections Cynthia Willingham.
“None of the candidates came out. There was no one from the public,” said Willingham.
The certification was conducted by Willingham; the Rev. Aldren Sadler, who serves as chair and the at-large member of the board; Amber Green,1st Vice Chair /Republican member; and Karen James, 2nd Vice Chair/Democratic member.
Since no one in the 5-way race received 50% plus one vote, the top two finishers—Nesbitt and VanNess—will face off in the run-off on June 18.
Rockdale County’s certified results for all races can be found here:
Rockdale Elections Supervisor Cynthia Willingham said that now the May 21 primary/ nonpartisan elections have been certified, voters should prepare to return to the polls for the upcoming run-offs. Early voting will be held June 8-14. The deadline to request an absentee ballot (voting by mail) is June 7 (details in boxed information below). Voting day for the runoff is June 18.
“We will start on that Saturday, June 8, to give as many people as possible an opportunity to vote. Some voters may not be able to vote during the week and Saturday voting provides an additional day to get out the vote,” said Rockdale Elections Supervisor Cynthia Willingham.
June 8: Saturday voting 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
June 10 and June 11: Early voting is scheduled 8 a.m. until 5 p.m.
June 12-14: Early voting is extended 8 a.m. 7 p.m.
June 18: Runoffs will be held 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. at assigned precincts
