Julie Leonard-Smith, candidate for Calhoun County School Superintendent, has dropped out of the race.
“Due to the fact that I have found I am in the last stages of lung cancer and did not realize until recently I was in this situation, I felt it was only the fair thing to do to withdraw from the superintendent’s race,” Smith tells The County Record. “I would like to thank all the people that supported me.
I know there were many of you. I thank the people who worked for me and were going to work for me. I want to thank all the people of Calhoun County because Calhoun County is probably one of the most wonderful places to live. I grew up here when I was a little girl. I started here. And you couldn’t have grown up in a better place than this county. I love everybody and I wish everybody the best.”
Our prayers are with Julie.
In other election news, early voting begins Saturday, Oct. 27, and runs through Saturday, Nov. 3. All early voting will take place in the Supervisor of Elections office in the basement of the Calhoun County Courthouse. Hours are 9 a.m to 3 p.m. on Saturdays and Sunday, and 8 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Monday through Friday.
Voters who have moved since the last election are urged to update their addresses immediately before election day or early voting. Call the Elections office at 674-8568.
Supervisor of Elections Margie Laramore advises over 1000 absentee ballots have been mailed out this year. The reason may likely be the number of amendments on the ballot that are lengthy and require extra time to read and research. The County Record will be publishing a condensed version of the amendments in laymen’s terms next week to help voters prepare. Laramore suggests reading over the sample ballot at home and making your choices before arriving at the polls to allow ample time to review each amendment.
