When will we learn the Columbus mayor runoff results & when will the winner be sworn in?

Columbus voters went back to the polls June 16 to choose between candidates Isaiah Hugley and JoAnne Cogle in the mayoral runoff, but the details of the process can be confusing for some voters.

After the polls close today , here’s what you need to know about what happens next.

What is a runoff?

Runoff elections are held when no candidate wins the required majority of votes. In this case, that means 50% plus one, and in Georgia, runoff elections are required for all congressional, state executive, and state legislative elections in which a candidate does not receive a majority in the general election.

In the May 19 election, Hugley led with 45% of the vote and Cogle secured 25% but because no candidate cleared 50%, the race advanced to a second round.

In a runoff in this state, only votes cast for the top two finishers count, and no write-in votes are allowed.

What happens once polls close?

Once polls close, unofficial results start coming in, but the end-of-day results don’t mean there will be an immediate-certified winner.

• County returns must be certified by 5 p.m. on the second Friday following the election.
• For today’s vote, that’s June 27.
• Certification goes to the Muscogee County Board of Elections first
• Then results are transmitted for official tallying.

After certification, if the margin between candidates is less than 0.5%, the losing candidate can request a machine recount within two days, which is paid for by the state.

When will Columbus get a new mayor?

Whoever wins succeeds term-limited Mayor Skip Henderson, and the new mayor will be sworn in and take over leadership of Columbus Consolidated Government in January.

Mayoral responsibilities:

• Official spokesperson for the Consolidated Government
• Presides over Council meetings
• Director of Public Safety (oversight of police and fire)
• Public face of the city for intergovernmental and community relations
• Appoints members to boards and commissions

The city manager handles daily operations and department management. Council holds the most legislative authority.

Check in with the Ledger-Enquirer for all mayoral coverage and election results.

Do you have anything you would like to know more about or have questions? Email me at srose@ledger-enquirer.com or find me on social media.