LUMPKIN COUNTY, Ga. — Early voting will end Friday for the July 26 general election primary runoffs, which include two key races in Lumpkin County — county commission and coroner.

The coroner’s race has drawn particular interest due to the arrest of one of the candidates. Amanda Jones-Holbrooks was arrested earlier this month and charged with first-degree forgery, a felony. If convicted of a felony, she would not be eligible to hold public office even if she wins the election. Sources also say she is also under investigation for theft by deception.

Her opponent is Jim Sheppard, a veteran law enforcement office who is retiring this year after 28 years of service.

The county commission race is between incumbent Steve Shaw and challenger Bobby Mayfield. Mayfield was the top vote getter in the District 2 race with 1,511 votes to Shaw’s 1,187.
Early voting started July 5.

The Lumpkin County Elections Office reports 919 votes were cast in-person and 82 absentee ballots have been returned since July 5.

Georgia law requires a runoff if no candidate wins a majority in a general primary.