Election Day: New Mayor, E-SPLOST and Alcohol Sales

Today is Election Day.

Voters in Snellville and throughout Gwinnett County will head to the polls to decide critical issues involving leadership, education and retail. (Read our story on Election Day here, including quotes from candidates, supporters and turnout.)

In Snellville, voters will decide between attorney Kelly Kautz and Barbara Bender, a certified public accountant, for the position of mayor. Three open seats for city council already have been decided, with Dave Emanuel, Diane Krause and Bobby Howard running in uncontested races.

In addition, citizens will decide whether come to Snellville. It is one of handful of municipalities in Gwinnett County, including nearby Loganville, that will be voting on similar measures. Snellville Patch took an informal poll on the idea, and most people seemed for it.

Throughout Gwinnett County voters will decide whether to support a 1-percent sales tax on all retail sales. This tax, the E-SPLOST or educational special purpose local option sales tax, will be in place for five years if approved. For more information on E-SPLOST, click here for the Gwinnett County Public Schools website.

Funds generated would be used, in part, to:

• Five new schools, one bus facility and nine additions
• Air conditioning for all middle and high school gyms and all elementary activity buildings
• Significant technology upgrades
• Previously postponed facility improvements

Polls are open 7 a.m. - 7 p.m.

For the two Snellville elections, citizens may vote at

For the Gwinnett County election, citizens may vote at their regular voting precinct.

For more on Snellville election related items, click here for our special Participate 2011 page.