Taking Children to the Polls

I'm proud to lead by example on Election Day.

  Yesterday, on Election day, I had the privilege of participating in one my favorite voting activities, I took my 7-year-old son with me to the polls. He's come with me to vote many times and we've fallen into a nice ritual that unfolds as we drive to our polling station. The conversation starts in the car and the questions come at me one after the other from the back seat. His young mind is so curious to know more about the adult world. My hope is always to give him the most informed answers I can about the democratic process that America uses to elect representatives and make new laws. The night before an election, I find myself pounding away on my computer, refreshing my knowledge of American history so that I can give him an answer to…

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Have You Voted Yet? Show Us Your Sticker!

Turnout has been steady at Oconee County polling locations. Upload a photo of yourself with your "I'm a Georgia Voter" sticker, and share with your friends.

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Are Presidential Polls a Reliable Resource for Voting?

With the margins changing from hour-to-hour, day-to-day and from state-to-state, will pre-election polls affect the way you vote?

Are you tracking the polls? With changes in percentages and leads from day-to-day, it's hard to keep up with the significance of the numbers game. According to Examiner.com the October 11 Gallup Poll showed President Obama’s national approval rating at 50%. Should be an easy win, right? That same poll, however reflected a Romney lead of 1% (48% to 47%) among likely voters in Ohio but President Obama ahead by 2% (48% to 46%) among registered voters.  On the morning of October 11, Rasmussen Reports showed President Obama lead of 1% (48% to 47%) over Romney. After the Vice Presidential debate, Rasmussen Reports released its daily presidential poll numbers which show Mitt Romney with support from 48% of voters and President Obama at 47%. …

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Readers' Choice: Vote for Oconee's Best Place for a Burger

Cast your vote now for the best burger in Oconee County.

Do you prefer a plain fast food burger or a gourmet offering from one of our local restaurants? We accepted nominations through July 9. Voting runs from July 23 to Aug. 17 and the best burger place in Oconee will be announced on Aug. 24.  Don’t forget to tell your friends on Facebook, Twitter and by email! And vote for your other favorite local businesses here. Don’t miss any Oconee news. Subscribe to Oconee Patch’s free newsletter, like us on Facebook and follow us on Twitter.

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Early Votes in for House District 113 Special Election

Polls open from 7 a.m.- 7 p.m. Tuesday for the special election replace former Rep. Hank Huckaby.

Nearly 1,000 early votes and mail-in absentee ballots were already in hand Monday morning as election boards in Oconee, Athens-Clarke, Oglethorpe and Morgan counties planned for the polls to open Tuesday. Voters in House District 113 will have a chance to cast their ballot in a special election tomorrow to fill the unexpired term of Hank Huckaby, who resigned earlier this year. Candidates in the special election include Republicans Alan Alexander, Sarah Bell and Chuck Williams, as well as Democrat Dan Matthews. All of Oconee, Southern Clarke, and portions of Oglethorpe and Morgan counties make up House District 113. Oconee County, which has 13 voter precincts involved in the election, has had 751 early voters and about 10 mail-in ballots, …

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Voting Underway for Sheriff’s Office Logo

Cast a vote for your favorite of the 66 entries by 8 a.m. on May 2.

Sixty-six designs for the Oconee County Sheriff’s Office Logo Contest have been submitted by local high school and middle school students.  Each hopes to have his selected to land a prize worth $100. The winning logo will be displayed in the Sheriff's Office and used as the logo on the Facebook page, as well as on other OCSO items. Chief Deputy Lee Weems said the Sheriff’s Office is very happy with the participation and the submissions. “There is a lot of creative talent among the students of this county,” he said. The logo contest is taking place through the Sheriff’s Office Facebook page.  In order to vote, simply click on the album of photos marked ‘Logo Submissions ‘ and ‘like' your favorite. The winning entry will be the one with the …

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