Long County’s lone local race will be decided Tuesday when voters chose a sheriff. Incumbent Craig Nobles, who was appointed in January to replace his late father, long-time sheriff Cecil Nobles, faces challenger Darrell Ballance. Nobles, who qualified as a Democrat, defeated Frank McClelland Jr. and James E. Rogers in the July general primary while Ballance, who qualified as a Republican, was unopposed.
Before the general primary, the candidates talked about their platforms.
 “We seek to fairly enforce the laws across the county on an impartial basis,” Nobles said. “Safety of our communities is essential, and I, my deputies and my office will always meet the demands of Long County and its citizens.”
Ballance said, “As sheriff, I will lead by example. I also will ensure that my officers deal with and treat all of the citizens of the county in a fair manner as they uphold the laws of Georgia.”
Other races on the ballot include 1st Congressional District incumbent Republican Rep. Jack Kingston and challenger Democrat Lesli Rae Messinger; Public Service Commissioner incumbent Republican Stan Wise and challenger Libertarian David Staples; Public Service Commissioner incumbent Republican Chuck Eaton and challengers Democrat Stephen Oppenheimer and Libertarian Brad Ploeger; non-partisan Coastal Soil and Water Conservation District Supervisor incumbent Cecil Stafford and challenger Raiford Benton III; and President of the United States incumbent Democrat Barack Obama and challengers Republican Mitt Romney and Libertarian Gary Johnson.
Proposed constitutional amendments include the charter-school amendment, which allows voters to choose whether to establish a state commission to approve charter schools, and another amendment regarding the state’s ability to reduce operating costs by allowing the General Assembly to authorize certain state agencies to enter into multi-year real-estate rental agreements.