A special election in the southwest Georgia town of Camilla saw a delay in its proceedings, ultimately spanning from 3:50 p.m. on Tuesday to 3:50 a.m. on Wednesday. The election was initially canceled by Mayor Kelvin Owens after two city election officials resigned, but a judge intervened to order it to proceed. This legal battle was the culmination of years of political tensions in the town of 5,000, particularly revolving around the attempts to remove council members Venterra Pollard and Corey Morgan over residency concerns.
Pollard and Morgan have found themselves at the center of controversy due to claims that they do not reside in Camilla, although they have acknowledged leasing apartments in other cities. They have described themselves as part of a progressive majority supporting Mayor Kelvin Owens, who is also Black, and have accused their opponents of trying to impose their will on the predominantly Black population of Camilla. On the other hand, their challengers argue that they only seek to enforce the law and ensure fair elections with qualified candidates.
The legal battle began in 2022 when David Cooper and Joe Bostick sued Pollard and Morgan over their residency. Despite being ruled as non-residents of Camilla by a Superior Court Judge in July 2023, Pollard and Morgan continued to serve on the council and even contested the ruling. However, their appeal was denied in December by the Georgia Court of Appeals. This led to further complications, with Pollard stepping down but then qualifying for a special election, which ultimately resulted in his disqualification by court order.
The ongoing legal disputes surrounding the residency of Pollard and Morgan, as well as the conduct of the special election, have resulted in heightened tensions in Camilla. The involvement of law enforcement to enforce court orders has been met with accusations of voter intimidation and suppression by Pollard. Despite the challenges, the election ultimately proceeded, with candidate Oscar Maples Jr. emerging as the winner. Maples expressed his desire to bring unity to the city council and focus on improving conditions for Camilla’s senior citizens. Meanwhile, Pollard has indicated his intention to run again for city office, highlighting the ongoing political turmoil and uncertainty in the town.
