Photo contributed by Whitfield County government / Roger CrossenDates have been announced and set for the special election in Whitfield County to fill the seat of Roger Crossen, the commissioner who died in November due to complications with COVID-19.
Whitfield County will hold a special election on March 16, 2021. Crossen's term expires on Dec. 31, 2022.
County Administrator Mark Gibson wrote in an email Monday that if the remainder of Crossen's term would have been less than 12 months, the other commissioners could have appointed someone to fill the term.
"Because the remainder of the term is greater than 12 months, a call for a special election will be done," Gibson said. "The seat will remain empty until the election is held."
Qualifying will take place Jan. 6 and Jan. 7 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. in the elections office in the Whitfield County courthouse and Jan 8 from 9 a.m. to noon. The election will be nonpartisan, although candidates will be able to list their party. The qualifying fee will be $270.
Crossen represented District 3, in the northwest part of the county. Candidates for the commission seat must live in the district they represent.
For questions on the special election, contact Whitfield County Chief Registrar Mary Hammontree at 706-278-7183.
Contact Patrick Filbin at pfilbin@timesfreepress.com or 423-757-6476. Follow him on Twitter @PatrickFilbin.