Hampton, Georgia - November 2025 Elections! (And honestly, just a lot of great information about how local elections/votes work and how to find information in your area)
- Shannon Kill
- 3 days ago
- 12 min read
Hi frans!
Growing up, we didn't talk a lot about the "grown up" things that I would need to know about as an adult, so I've spent a lot of time over the years figuring stuff out on my own.
Voting and its importance was one of those things I had to figure out and I have a suspicion I'm not the only one, so in case you're still figuring it out (no shame) and you don't know where to start and you're afraid to ask because (speaking from firsthand experience), few things feel more embarrassing than doing the hard thing and asking for help for someone to respond in a way that makes you feel like you should have already known the answer (spoilers: in my experience, that often means they actually either a) don't know the answer themselves and/or b) don't understand it well enough to explain it to someone else.)
That said, there's a handful of really important local elections coming up here in the next few weeks where we currently live in Hampton, GA, so I wanted to take a minute to talk about that. If you're not in Hampton, no worries, there's likely still a lot of stuff in here that will be helpful for you in understanding the process and the different offices and why they're important, so don't immediately exit out of this!
First things first
At the risk of sounding like I'm lecturing you, I personally feel that it would be irresponsible of me to write a blog about voting and NOT say this:
If you get out and vote when there is a presidential election, that is SO great!
AND, if that is the only time you vote (It's giving Church on Easter Sunday 💁♀️), I strongly encourage you to get more involved in your local politics because as important as the office of the President of the United States is, a lot of what affects you and your community on a regular basis happens on a much more localized level - it all STARTS here. There are usually several smaller elections/votes each year on the city, county and state levels and these often are not widely publicized unless you are in a super politically active city or it's a "bigger" election/vote.
Not to worry though! There are tons of websites where you can sign up to be notified any time there is an election/vote happening in your area. (I've compiled a list of resources here)
Okay, so now that we've got that out of the way, I want to go over some fundamentals and vocabulary because I know I sure as fuck was not paying attention that week in school.
What are the different types of elections?
General Elections
This is where you vote for your federal, state and local officials; these are the people who are meant to represent YOUR interests. These are held on the first Tuesday after the first Monday in November (This year, it's November 4, 2025, but you can vote early, which I strongly suggest for multiple reasons I'll go into later, in most elections)
Federal - U.S. Senators & U.S. Representatives to Congress
State - Governor, Lieutenant Governor, General Assembly, Attorney General, Auditor General, and State Treasurer
Local/Municipal - County & City Officials, Judges & Magisterial District Judges
Primary Elections
This is where a party (Think Republican or Democrat because, let's be honest, those are really the options in the U.S. at present) will select the person they want representing the party in the General Election - basically, this is when it gets decided WHO the options will be on the ballot when you go to vote in the General Election.
Each state gets to decide how and when elections happen, so you'll need to check in with your state for its rules and dates (Again, this is why it's super helpful to sign up for email notifications for upcoming votes).
There are 3 types of Primaries:
Open Primary - This is where a voter does NOT have to be affiliated with the party you are voting for, meaning, if you're a registered Republican, you are still able to vote for a Democrat in an Open Primary. That said, when you walk in to vote, you will have to choose one party and you can only vote for the options within that party, so in an example where there is only ONE candidate running in a particular party, you would only be able to vote for that candidate.
Closed Primary - For Closed Primaries, it's like the name suggests. You are locked in with the party you are affiliated with if you are registered with a particular party. You can change this on your state's voter registration site (In Georgia, you do not register with a political party)
Blanket/Nonpartisan Primary - The word "nonpartisan" means "not biased"; basically, you are not tied to any particular party in these elections. You are given a ballot with all of the options and you can choose the one(s) that makes the most sense for you, regardless of party affiliation - this is incredibly important in smaller local offices because these candidates are often earlier in their political careers and may still be honing in on their priorities, so you want to take the time to get to know them and what their goals are so you can feel confident voting for the individual you feel best represents your interests versus just picking a person attached to a party.
Special Elections
Special elections are held in order to replace an elected official who is no longer able to serve. This might happen if an elected official resigns, dies or is removed from office. The timing of these elections will vary based on the circumstances surrounding the "why"; if the timing aligns, this might be included in a Primary or General election, but it can happen at a completely different date if necessary.
What are the different "Offices" we vote to elect people for?
I talked about this briefly above, but I want to dig in a bit deeper because, again, this was not taught to me in a way that I retained and if you put me on the spot, I would not be able to name them all and I like to think of myself as someone with their hand on the pulse.
Before we go there, we have to talk about how the U.S. Government is structured since in the United States, our federal political offices are organized into 3 "Branches" of government. As part of a system of "Checks and Balances", designed to keep any one person or branch from having too much power, elected officials may only hold an office in ONE branch, however there is some functional overlap - they are meant to work TOGETHER on things like making and enforcing laws, appointing and confirming officials, interpreting said laws and, in extreme cases, impeaching a fellow official.
The "Branches"
Executive - The executive branch is responsible for implementing and enforcing the laws written by Congress. Key offices include the President, who is the head of state, and the Vice President. The President's Cabinet, composed of the heads of 15 executive departments and other officials, serves as the president's advisors.
Legislative - The legislative branch, known as Congress, is responsible for drafting legislation, confirming presidential nominations, and declaring war. As of the 119th U.S. Congress (January 3, 2025–present), it includes: The U.S. Senate, the U.S. House of Representatives, & non-voting delegates and commissioners
Judicial - The judicial branch interprets laws and resolves legal disputes. It includes:
U.S. Supreme Court, the highest court, with a Chief Justice and eight Associate Justices, the U.S. Courts of Appeals, including 13 appellate courts (these are there to determine that the law was applied correctly), and U.S. District Courts, the federal trial courts.
The Offices (This is not an exhaustive list; I tried to cover all the main offices, but may have missed some, so feel free to let me know if there's anything I should add!)
Federal (United States - This is the big blanket over all the individual states. These individuals represent the country in the U.S. Government)
President - This office is considered the "Head of State" and the "head" of the government of the United States. The President directs the Executive Branch of the Federal Government and is the "Commander-in-Chief" of the United States Armed Forces. Elected Presidents serve 4 year terms which are capped at 2 consecutive terms and 2 total terms; the maximum years any President can serve is 8 years. Current U.S. President: Donald J. Trump
Vice President - Often called "Second in Command", the Vice President is the second highest ranking office in the Executive Branch. The "VP" ranks first in the presidential line of succession, meaning that, if the sitting President is no longer able to be President, this person will take their place. The Vice President is also an officer in the Legislative Branch. The Vice President serves alongside the President, so their terms are the same. Current U.S. Vice President: JD Vance
U.S. Senators - The U.S. Senate is a chamber of the bicameral United States Congress above the U.S. House of Representatives. The Senate consists of 100 U.S. Senators, 2 from each of the 50 states. Elected Senators serve 6 years terms with no limits.
U.S. House of Representatives - The House of Representatives is a chamber of the bicameral United States Congress below the U.S. Senate. In contrast to the Senate, the number of representative from each state for the House of Representatives varies based on that state's population. Elected representatives serve 2 years terms with no limits.
State (These individuals represent your state; to find yours, search "Current [State] + [Office]", i.e. "Current Texas Commissioner of Agriculture")
Governor - This is kind of like the president of the state; they are the chief executive of the state. Their responsibilities include: Ensuring that state laws are "faithfully executed.", serving as commander-in-chief of the state's military forces, appointing state officials, overseeing state executive agencies, vetoing or signing legislation, & triggering emergency powers during a natural disaster or other crisis.
Lieutenant Governor - In many states, the lieutenant governor succeeds the governor in office and presides over the state Senate
Secretary of State - Often the chief election official, this office is also in charge of a state's official records. Duties can include: Administering state elections and voter registration databases, registering businesses, maintaining state archives and the official state seal, and certifying official documents.
Attorney General - The state's chief legal officer and legal advisor to state agencies. Responsibilities include: Representing the state in legal cases, enforcing state law, handling criminal appeals and statewide criminal prosecutions, and acting as a public advocate for issues like consumer protection.
Treasurer - Managers the state's finances, including revenue, investments & debt.
Auditor - Conducts audits and financial performance reviews of state departments and agencies to ensure public funds are spent legally and efficiently.
State School Superintendent - Heads the state's department of education and oversees public school policy.
State House of Representatives - See above
State Senate - See above
Commissioner of Agriculture - Manages agricultural programs, promotion, and regulation.
Commissioner of Labor - Responsible for administering and enforcing state-level labor laws, overseeing state unemployment insurance programs, providing workforce development services, collecting and analyzing labor market data, and promoting fair labor practices.
Insurance Commissioner - Oversees the state's insurance market and regulates insurance companies.
Public Service Commissioner - Regulates public utilities and may hold hearings on rate requests.
County (The specific titles, responsibilities, and government structure can vary significantly by state and even by individual county, depending on state laws and local charters.)
Commissioner - County commissioners, or a board of commissioners, function as the county's primary legislative and policymaking body. In some cases, a single "sole commissioner" may fill this role.
Sheriff - As the county's chief law enforcement officer, the sheriff is a constitutional officer with authority across the entire county, including within municipalities
Clerk or Clerk of Court - This official typically manages and preserves official records for the county and its court system.
Tax Assessor or Commissioner - This elected official, or an appointed board, is responsible for appraising and assessing property for tax purposes.
Coroner - This office is responsible for investigating deaths that occur under specific circumstances, such as those that are sudden, violent, or unattended by a physician.
Treasurer - Acts as the county's banker, collecting taxes and investing local funds. Works with the auditor to provide financial oversight.
Auditor - Serves as the chief accountant, maintaining financial records, preparing budgets, and auditing county departments.
School Superintendent - Oversees district governance, strategic planning, accountability, and communications.
School Board - Govern the local public school system, determining policy, programs, and budgets for the district.
City
Mayor - This like the President, but on the City level. Responsibilities include leading the city government as its chief executive, managing the municipal budget, overseeing city services like public safety and utilities, and serving as the city's ambassador and official spokesperson.
Mayor Pro-Tem - This is sort of like the "Vice President", but at the City level. This is a member of the city council or governing body who is selected to act as the temporary Mayor in the absence or incapacity of the elected Mayor.
City Council - City councils are the legislative branch of a local government, responsible for enacting laws, setting policy, and overseeing the city's budget and services. While their specific powers vary based on the city's charter and state laws, they generally handle a wide array of duties that directly affect residents' daily lives.
What other things might I be voting for?
Remember how I said there are often multiple votes a year depending on the circumstances? That's because, as citizens, we get a say in how our tax dollars are spent, whether we take advantage of that opportunity or not. If you've ever hit a pothole and thought "What am I even paying taxes for?!?", but you're not looking out for local voting opportunities, you are effectively forfeiting a valuable opportunity to have your voice heard.
We've already covered the types of elections you might be voting in - those will mostly be in November. Additionally, you might be voting on tax increases for special projects, utility related concerns, education funding and policies, and/or environmental concerns, to name a few.
Okay! Now that we've got the foundational education piece out of the way, we can talk about the upcoming election in Hampton, GA!
Hampton, GA - November 2025 Election Info
Election Type: Nonpartisan Municipal General Election
Date: November 4, 2025
Early Voting: Tuesday 10/14/2025 - Friday 10/17/2025 7am-7pm
Saturday 10/18/2025 9am-5pm
Sunday 10/19/2025 1pm-5pm
Monday 10/20/2025 - Friday 10/24/2025 7am-7pm
Saturday 10/25/2025 9am-5pm
Sunday 10/26/2025 1pm-5pm
Monday 10/27/2025 - Friday 10/31/2025 7am-7pm
Voter Registration Cutoff: 10/6/2025
Absentee Ballot Request Deadline: 10/24/2025
Early Voting Polling Place: Fortson Library (61 McDonough St, Hampton, GA, 30228)
Polling Place: Find your voting location here
Voting For: Hampton Mayor AND (3) City Council Members
Current Mayor: Ann Tarpley, elected in 2021
Current City Council Members: Devlin Cleveland (Mayor Pro-Tem), Pamela Duchesne, Martin "Marty" Meeks, Willie Turner, Kesha White-Williams, Donnie A. Bryant (temporary)
Running for Mayor: Ann Tarpley (Incumbent), Devlin Cleveland (Current City Council Member & Mayor Pro-Tem)
Running for City Council: Melissa Brooks, Donnie A. Bryant (Interim/Incumbent), Sherry Chaney, Errol Mitchell (Previously served), Victoria Sweatt, & Willie Turner (Incumbent)
Important notes:
"Incumbent" just means they are currently in that office and are running to keep that position, i.e. Mayor Ann Tarpley is the current mayor of Hampton, GA and is running for re-election; she is the incumbent. She is running against current city council member, Devlin Cleveland, who is also the Mayor Pro-Tem.
Donnie A. Bryant was brought in during a "Special Election" to fill a council seat in January 2025 making him an "interim" candidate (that's like saying he tagged in for someone else who was no longer able to serve to finish out their term); He is running to keep his seat, so he is an incumbent and his term will end December 2025 if he is not elected in this next election.
There are 3 City Council seats up for grabs; The seats that are "safe" this round are currently filled by Pamela Duchesne, Marty Meeks & Kesha White-Williams. That means that of the 6 individuals running for City Council, only 3 will be selected.
One of the seats that is being filled in this election is that of Mayor Pro-Tem, Devlin Cleveland, so if he does not win the election for Mayor of Hampton in this election, he will not only not become the Mayor, but will also lose his seat on City Council. The next expected opportunity, barring any exceptional circumstances, will be November 2027 when 3 City Council seats will open back up - there is no way to know which current councilmembers plan to run to keep their seats.
Resources (not exclusive to Hampton, GA)
AI search engine (like ChatGPT) prompt that may be helpful for you in gathering information about your local upcoming votes/elections:
"What can you tell me about the upcoming election in [your city here], [your state here], USA that's happening [insert the Month & Year here if you know it; if not, you can say something like "the next vote happening in MyCity, MyState"]? Specifically, I'm looking for what we're voting for, and if we are electing officials, who is currently in those offices and who will be on the ballot. Bonus points if you can tell me more about the offices we're voting on and provide information on each of the candidates who are up for election. Additionally, I would like to know if early voting will be allowed, and if so, what are the early voting dates and times for this vote?"
Example:
"What can you tell me about the upcoming election in Hampton, GA, USA that's happening November 2025? Specifically, I'm looking for what we're voting for, and if we are electing officials, who is currently in those offices and who will be on the ballot. Bonus points if you can tell me more about the offices we're voting on and provide information on each of the candidates who are up for election. Additionally, I would like to know if early voting will be allowed, and if so, what are the early voting dates and times for this vote?"
-OR-
"What can you tell me about the next public vote in Hampton, GA, USA? Specifically, I'm looking for what we're voting for, and if we are electing officials, who is currently in those offices and who will be on the ballot. Bonus points if you can tell me more about the offices we're voting on and provide information on each of the candidates who are up for election. Additionally, I would like to know if early voting will be allowed, and if so, what are the early voting dates and times for this vote?"
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