Voters head to polls for SPLOST referendum
A copy of the ballot appears below: Voters are preparing to head to the polls to cast their ballots in the Special Election set for Tuesday, March 20.

Earlier this year, the Lincoln County Board of Education approved a referendum resolution and notice for election to renew the Special Purpose Local Option Sales Tax (SPLOST), which runs out on June 30, 2007, and provide for the issuance of $25,150,000 in general obligation bonds, supported by sales and property taxes, to build a new school.

It is estimated that the new SPLOST will generate between $6 and $7 million over a five-year period.

Shall the Lincoln County School District issue general obligation bonds in principal amount not to exceed $25,150,000 to pay the costs of:

(1) acquiring, constructing, and equipping a new high school and/or middle school and related facilities, including necessary furnishings, fixtures, and equipment.

(2) renovating, extending, repairing, and equipping existing school district schools, facilities, and properties useful or desirable in connection therewith.

(3) acquiring and installing systemwide instructional and administrative technology, safety, and security equipment.

(4) acquisition of school buses and transportation equipment.

(5) acquisition of music, vocational, and physical education/athletic equipment.

(6) acquiring any necessary property therefore, both real and personal (the "Projects").

(7) paying expenses incident to accomplishing the foregoing.

And, shall a one-percent sales and use tax for educational purposes by reimposed in the Lincoln County School District for a period of time not to exceed 20 consecutive quarters in order to raise not more than $8,000,000 to pay a portion of the debt service on such bonds; to pay a portion of the costs of acquiring, constructing, and equipping the Projects; to pay capitalized interest through October 1, 2008; and to fund the payment of principal and interest on the school district's Series 2002 General Obligation Refunding Bonds commencing on December 1, 2007?

The new school will measure approximately 163,000 square feet and cost an estimated $32 million. The facility will be located on close to 56 acres of land east of the board office on Metasville Road.

Although the wording of the referendum calls for "a new high school and/or middle school," it is generally agreed that the board will use the money to build a new high school.

The board chose the wording so the system could qualify for the maximum in capital outlay funding from the state ($7.5 million). Had the referendum specified a high school only, the system would have been eligible for $4.3 million in state funds.

The bottom line is that once the structure is built, the board can decide what grades will be housed there.

In his comments, Kelvin Williams, elections coordinator for Lincoln County, stated, "Although low voter turn-out is expected, I would like to encourage all voters to exercise their civic duty and cast their ballots in the Special Election. As was the case in the General Election of 2006, one vote can truly alter the outcome of an election."

The elections coordinator went on to say, "Not only are elections extremely important to the county, they are also very costly. Regardless of how many voters cast ballots on Election Day, it will cost the county the same amount of money to conduct the election."

Local residents are urged to get their "money's worth" out of the Special Election by voting next Tuesday.

The polls will be open from 7 a.m. until 7 p.m.

Citizens are requested to present identification at their polling place prior to voting. Acceptable forms of identification include:

.. A valid Georgia driver's license.

.. A valid I.D., issued by the federal government or any state.

.. A valid United States passport.

.. A valid employee I.D. with a photo.

.. A valid student I.D. with a photo.

.. A valid United States military I.D.

.. A valid Social Security card.

.. A current utility bill, bank statement, government check/paycheck, or government document, or a legible copy thereof, showing the name and address of the elector.

If the voter cannot produce one of the requested forms of identification, he will be allowed to take an oath to attest to his identity.

Those who are physically disabled or 75 years of age or older may vote without waiting in line between 9:30 a.m. and 4:30 p.m.

The polling places are as follows:

.. Precinct 1-A - The building beside the Midway Volunteer Fire Department on Midway Church Road, off of Highway 79.

.. Precinct 1-B - The Lincolnton Clubhouse on N. Peachtree Street.

.. Precinct 2 - The Lincoln Center at 160 May Avenue.

.. Precinct 3-A - Faith Temple, which is situated at the intersection of the Thomson Highway and Leathersville Road.

.. Precinct 3-B - Tabernacle Baptist Church, located near the intersection of Highway 220 West and the Augusta Highway.

.. Precinct 4-A - Bethany United Methodist Church on Bethany Church Road.

.. Precinct 4-B - The voting booth beside Tankersley's Store on Double Branches Road.

Citizens should keep in mind that "advance" voting at the Lincoln County Board of Elections and Registration Office will continue through Friday, March 16. The elections office is located in The Lincoln Center.

In essence, advance voting allows an individual to cast his ballot in person at the elections office from 9 a.m. until 5 p.m. the week prior to an election. No reason or explanation is required.

All the voter has to do is fill out an advance voting application and provide the poll official with one of the permitted forms of identification. He will then be issued a ballot to cast right there in the office.

Concerning absentee ballots, the deadline for requesting that an absentee ballot be mailed to one's residence is Friday, March 16.

Requests for absentee ballots must be made in writing. The written statements may be faxed to 1-706-359- 7396 or delivered to the elections and registration office. Moreover, request forms for absentee ballots may be obtained by visiting Lincoln County's website at .

Applications for absentee ballots must contain the address to which the ballot is to be mailed if different from the registered address, the name and date of the election, the voter's name and address as registered, his date of birth, a contact telephone number, and the voter's signature.

All ballots must be returned to the elections and registration office, preferably by 5 p.m., 7 at the latest, on Election Day.

No in-person absentee or advance voting will be permitted on Monday, March 19.

For more information about the upcoming election, contact Kelvin Williams, elections coordinator, at 706- 359-6126.