Editor’s note: Reader support is essential to helping us cover local races in the Nov. 5 municipal elections. If you aren’t a subscriber, you can support us for as little as $3 a month. To learn more about subscribing, click here.

There will be ongoing coverage of each race through Nov. 5.

To see all of our stories related to the Nov. 5, 2019 elections, visit: decaturishvotes.com

About this series: As part of our ongoing election coverage, we invited each candidate to submit up to three letters of support. Here is a letter from City Commissioner Adela Yelton in support of Marguerite Belline for Avondale Estates City Commission.

Dear Decaturish,

In our small city of Avondale Estates, we are preparing to cast three votes in the upcoming November 5 election – one for Mayor, and one each for two Commissioners. With so much focus on the Mayoral election in Avondale Estates, it may seem easy to forget about the importance of choosing the right commissioners. I want to remind my fellow residents that the Avondale Estates Board of Mayor and Commissioners (BOMC) make decisions as a whole. Each member has a vote that is equal to the others. A Commissioner vote is as strong and  meaningful as the Mayor’s vote or that of Mayor Pro-Tem. A Commissioner also has the ability to influence agendas and help determine the strategic direction of the city.

While campaigning can be somewhat of a competitive, individual sport, I can attest to the fact that actually serving in the role of an elected official is a team sport. You must have the ability to work with others – including those who might disagree with you – to get anything done.

I encourage residents to vote for Marguerite Belline, candidate for Avondale Estates City Commissioner. Marguerite’s vision for the city includes one of fostering connections and bringing together those with differing viewpoints while also moving the city’s vision forward. Throughout this campaign, I have been impressed with Marguerite’s ability to connect with all different types of people from all different walks of life. She has listened, learned, and engaged with folks from all generations both inside of the city and with neighboring communities. She has also reached out to county and state representatives to talk about issues impacting our city and the region. With growth and change on the immediate horizon, I believe the skill to communicate and connect is what will be critical in maintaining the strong sense of community that we have today and building upon that what makes Avondale Estates special for the community we will eventually become. I am grateful for Marguerite’s willingness to serve and I hope you will join me in casting your vote for Marguerite now or on November 5.

–  Adela Yelton

Learn more about voting in the Nov. 5 election: 

Early voting in the Nov. 5 municipal elections in DeKalb County began on Monday, Oct. 14.

Numerous DeKalb County cities are holding elections, including Decatur, Avondale Estates and Tucker.

The closest early voting site for these residents will be at the Voter Registration & Elections Office on 4380 Memorial Drive, Suite 300 Decatur, GA 30032.

Early voting times are Monday through Friday, Oct. 14 through Nov. 1, from 8 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. There will be no Saturday and Sunday voting in the municipal elections.

If you need to see a sample ballot, visit the Georgia Secretary of State’s My Voter page by clicking here. You can also find your polling place if you choose to vote on Nov. 5 instead of voting early.

You have to be 18 to vote. You will also need to bring one of the following forms of ID, according to the Georgia Secretary of State’s Office:

– Any valid state or federal government issued photo ID, including a free ID Card issued by your county registrar’s office or the Georgia Department of Driver Services (DDS)

– A Georgia Driver’s License, even if expired

– Valid employee photo ID from any branch, department, agency, or entity of the U.S. Government, Georgia, or any county, municipality, board, authority or other entity of this state

– Valid U.S. passport ID

– Valid U.S. military photo ID

– Valid tribal photo ID

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