LEE COUNTY, Ga. (WALB) — Lee County voters are making their voices heard Tuesday, May 19, casting ballots in several contested races while demanding transparency and accountability from their elected officials.

School Board Races

District 1 features a three-way nonpartisan contest. Incumbent Donna L. Ford faces challengers George Parrish Houston and Lavendra Vanrea Shootes.

District 3 is a two-candidate nonpartisan race. Incumbent Melvin Asher Newell III faces challenger Jennifer Lea McNair.

County Commission District 1

In the only partisan race on the ballot, Republican Walter Dennis Roland seeks to hold his District 1 seat against Republican challenger Susan Fulmer Smith.

ESPLOST Renewal

Voters will also weigh in on whether to renew the Education Special Purpose Local Option Sales Tax, known as ESPLOST — a one percent sales tax that would fund middle school roof construction and a new high school HVAC system, according to Superintendent Dr. Kathleen Truitt.

Some residents have pushed back, raising concerns about spending priorities and transparency. If the measure fails, Truitt said the repairs would be funded through property taxes instead.

>> READ MORE: Superintendent addresses concerns as Lee County votes on ESPLOST renewal <<

Voter Concerns

Transparency and accountability emerge as central themes on Election Day.

Among the concerns is the $1.5 million property tax overpayment. The Lee County Board of Tax Assessors and an outside appraisal firm discovered residents were overcharged on their 2025 ad valorem taxes due to an “erroneous rollback rate.”

The Board of Commissioners said the county is working with the state Department of Revenue to issue refunds.

Lee County resident Gaye Murkerson said the discovery hit hard.

“This year was horrendous for the taxes—It was a shock,” Murkerson said. “And then to find out that there was a mistake made, that really concerns me. I would like for the commissioners to be more transparent with how the mistake happened and what the refund would be.”

>> READ MORE: Property tax rebates owed to Lee Co. residents after ‘erroneous rollback rate’ discovered <<

Residents are also closely following Lee County’s rapid growth and what it means for local services, infrastructure and quality of life.

Polls close at 7 p.m. on Tuesday, May 19. WALB will have results as they come in online, on our mobile app and on-air.

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