The Special Purpose Local Option Sales Tax and the Education Special Purpose Local Option Sales Tax referendums passed Tuesday by landslide margins in Long County.
 Long County Registrar Larry Wells said 86.79 percent (355 votes) of those who voted cast ballots in favor of SPLOST and 82.98 percent (382 votes) voted for ESPLOST.
Long County Board of Education member Emma Strickland, who was at the courthouse Tuesday night when the unofficial tallies were announced, said she was happy with the election results.
“I’m very excited about the results. With ESPLOST passing, we now will be able to build our new high school and continue improving the infrastructure of our other schools,” Strickland said.
Long County Commission Chairman Bobby Walker also was pleased with the results but disappointed in voter turnout.
“I think it’s a good thing, it passing. It helps us buy our road equipment and maintain our roads. It’s the most fair tax that we have because everyone pays it. People need to understand if we don’t have it (SPLOST), your taxes will go up,” Walker said. “But I’ll tell you, it’s bad having a (voter) turnout this low on something this important.”
According to information provided by Wells, 6.86 percent — or 389 of Long County’s 5,674 registered voters — cast ballots.
SPLOST and ESPLOST are specially levied sales taxes whereby the funding can go toward the building and maintenance of such areas as roads, schools and other public facilities.