ATLANTA — The special election for the city council in Camilla, Georgia, almost didn’t happen. Voting finally commenced at 3:50 p.m. on Tuesday and continued until 3:50 a.m. on Wednesday. The election proceeded following a legal intervention after Mayor Kelvin Owens used his emergency authority to cancel it due to the resignation of two city election officials.
This latest legal dispute highlights ongoing political tensions in the small town of approximately 5,000 residents. Oscar Maples Jr., who is running for the council, shared his thoughts on the chaotic situation, describing it as “kind of crazy” during a phone conversation on Wednesday.
Camilla, situated 55 miles north of Tallahassee, Florida, has been embroiled in political struggles linked to a Tyson Foods chicken processing plant and local agriculture. The city government has faced turmoil since 2022, particularly in efforts to displace two council members, Venterra Pollard and Corey Morgan, who have been accused of not residing in Camilla, thus questioning their eligibility to serve.
While Pollard and Morgan have acknowledged their rentals in Albany and Pelham, they assert that their main residences remain in Camilla. The two council members, along with Mayor Owens, describe themselves as part of a progressive majority dedicated to social and economic equity and inclusion. They contend that the legal efforts to remove them stem from an attempt by the white minority to dominate the nearly 75% Black population of the city.
Owens commented on the situation, expressing his discontent with two white individuals claiming to speak on behalf of 1,300 African Americans regarding their voting rights. However, Chris Cohilas, the attorney representing Pollard and Morgan’s challengers, contended that Owens was the one introducing racial dynamics into the dispute, emphasizing that his clients are merely seeking compliance with the law.
The legal proceedings initiated in November 2022, when David Cooper and Joe Bostick filed a lawsuit against Pollard and Morgan, prompting both to represent themselves. After Judge Gary McCorvey ruled in July 2023 that they were not residents of the city and ordered their removal from the council, the two argued that they deserved a jury trial, given their evidence demonstrating their residency.
Despite the ruling, neither stepped down, and while Morgan was reelected after his term expired, Cohilas maintains that he is still not a valid resident. Pollard did resign but subsequently entered the special election to fill his former seat. In September, he was found in contempt of court for not withdrawing his candidacy.
The court’s actions escalated further when a judge mandated the city to provide signage indicating that Pollard’s votes would not be counted. Frustrated by the confusion over the election, Pollard claimed this amounted to voter intimidation. An appeal by the city to the state Supreme Court resulted in a loss.
The situation took another twist when Mayor Owens announced that the city’s election officials had resigned, leading him to invoke his emergency powers to cancel the election. However, councilmember W.D. “Danny” Palmer obtained a court order which required the establishment of new election officials and ensured that polls would remain open for a mandated 12 hours, reflecting Georgia’s usual voting hours.
Voting finally started on Tuesday, with Maples and Claretha Thompson on the ballot. Maples, who remained awake until the polls closed, described the entire ordeal as “very difficult for the city.” As of Wednesday, votes were still being tallied, with no immediate results available.
Maples, who previously ran for mayor, expressed his desire to help unify the city council and advocate for Camilla’s senior citizens. Meanwhile, Pollard is determined to run for city office again, reflecting on his previous accomplishments during his time on the council, especially regarding youth initiatives.