Runoff: Rockdale County’s early voting off to brisk start as Nesbitt, VanNess prepare for showdown in Chairman’s race

ROCKDALE COUNTY, GA—Early voting for Rockdale County’s runoff races kicked off on Saturday, June 8, with 670 voters casting ballots. And on today, June 10, the total turnout climbed to 2,039, said Rockdale Supervisor of Elections Supervisor Cynthia Willingham.

Saturday’s turnout surpassed the 505 voters who turned out for the first day of early voting for the May 21 primary, and the June 10 turnout has surpassed first two days in the primary, Willingham said.

“It’s the biggest turnout for for local runoffs that we’ve in a long time,” Willingham said.

The Rockdale Board of Commissioners Chairman’s race between long-time incumbent Oz Nesbitt, Sr. and JaNice VanNess, a former state senator and Rockdale commissioner, is one of the most critical runoffs on the ballot for the June 18 General Primary and non partisan runoff elections.

Supporters for Nesbitt have launched a campaign denouncing Van Ness, calling attention to her previous party affiliation as a Republican after she ended up in second place with 35.05 percent (4,363 votes) in the five-way race with Nesbitt, who received 41.71 percent (5,195 votes). Since neither earned the required 50 percent plus one vote needed to avoid a runoff, they will square off on June 18 for Rockdale’s top leadership seat.

Nesbitt has served 16 years on the Board of Commissioners (two 4-year terms as Post 1 commissioner and is in his second 4-year term as Chairman).

Supporters for VanNess have waged a campaign calling attention to Nesbitt’s track record, citing soaring property taxes, giving himself a 38 percent pay raise, and costly lawsuits including one where he sent a sexually-explicit video to a female employee who sued and won $85K. An additional $53K was paid in attorney’s fees in that case. Roselyn Miller, a former Rockdale County finance director, was awarded a $345K  settlement in an unjust firing claim.

According to Rockdale County’s Board of Elections, the county has 61,318 active voters. Certified election results show that 23.75 percent (14,561) participated in the May 21, 2024 primary.

Early voting will be held at the Rockdale County Board of Elections, 115 West Ave. S.W., Conyers: June 10-11, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.; and June 12-14 8 a.m. to  7 p.m.

For more information: 770-278-7333.

Below information provided by the Rockdale County Board of Elections