In addition to the controversial T-SPLOST referendum, Liberty County voters are in the process of weighing in on a race with local implications today.

Chairman candidates Maxie R. Jones IV and Donald Lovette are making their way around select polling precincts, and campaign workers for both have been in place with signs and waves since around 7 a.m.

At the Lyman Hall Elementary School voting location, campaigners also are on hand for the Board of Education District 2 race between incumbent Charlie J. Frasier and challenger Carolyn Smith Carter.

Midway resident Brenda Washington stood at the edge of Shaw Road with a red sign for Frasier in her hands, explaining that she was out to show support for her relative.

“It’s starting to pick up,” she said around 10:40 a.m. “It’s been slow; I hope they turn out.”

That location is likely to be a busier one because it captures both contested races, Washington said.

Jones made a stop at the location to coordinate plans for the day.

“I feel great, even though it’s kind of surprising,” Jones said. “I feel really good about things, where we’ve come from to here.”

Jones said he is eager to learn the outcome but feels that the race has been above-board and with little negativity. 

Over at the First Baptist Church of Hinesville, the BoE race was not a factor, but Lovette supporters gathered to rally voters.

Lovette campaigner Dorothy Rose said that the race hits close to home for her.

“I know both of them, and I’m best friends with Maxie’s sister,” she said. “It was a hard choice — We don’t know a background on Maxie, I know Donald’s background, and he’s a champion.”

Rose said she saw some voters get frustrated with lack of direction at the polling location, and she said that some even turned away when they realized there was a long walk from the west end of the church to the east, where voting is held.

“I was trying to convince them that they could just get in their cars and drive down there, but they have to get to work,” Rose said.

Turnout there was slow as well leading up to lunch time, she added, but she hopes to see it pick up.

“It’s going to be exciting to see how it turns out,” Rose said.

Keep with the Courier for elections news.