Suwanee Election Methods Changed

Beginning in November, anyone wishing to hold elected office in Suwanee must receive more than 50 percent of the votes cast for a particular race.

Georgia Gov. Nathan Deal on Thursday signed HB 140, which changes the Suwanee City Charter to provide for this; Suwanee officials had sought the revision. The new charter takes effect July 1. Suwanee will hold municipal elections Nov. 8.

Previously, a candidate could have won by a "plurality," or merely getting more votes than his/her opponents. This could be controversial, as in the 1992 U.S. presidential election, when Bill Clinton won despite receiving less than 50 percent of the popular vote.

Mayor Dave Williams, whose full-time job is VP of the Metro Atlanta Chamber of Commerce, has indicated he will not seek re-election. No one has formally declared for the mayor post, but current Council Member Jimmy Burnette -- a member of one of Suwanee's oldest families -- has indicated interest. So has Council Member Dick Goodman. "Everybody thinks about it," Goodman said.

Formal registration for election candidates will be in September.