Chaos in Cobb Continues: Early Voting for Commission Special Primary Begins Amid Confusion and Empty Polling Locations

Early voting for Cobb County’s Special Primary Election kicked off on Saturday, February 1, with voters in Districts 2 and 4 heading to the polls to select candidates for the Cobb Board of Commissioners. However, the process has been marred by confusion, as many voters are unaware that a special election is even taking place, largely due to the truncated election cycle that has been forced upon citizens in Cobb and mainly for the confusion brought on by the governance of Cobb County under an illegal map.

Special Election is a Result of the Cupid Map

This special election stems from a legal ruling regarding district lines. Cobb County’s illegal electoral map, known as the “Cupid Map,” was deemed unconstitutional by Cobb County Superior Court Judge Kellie Hill in 2024. The Cupid Map, which was drawn and utilized by Cobb Chairwoman Lisa Cupid, Commissioner Monique Sheffield, and Commissioner Jerica Richardson in an effort to protect Richardson’s seat, was tossed out. Using the illegal map, the election board used it to block some Cobb citizens from running in the 2024 race for Cobb commissioner. Based on the judge’s ruling, the 2024 election results using the illegal map were invalidated, and a new election has been ordered using a map drawn by the Georgia Legislature. Cobb citizens are left holding the bill, as millions of taxpayer dollars were spent on the illegal elections, defending the illegal map, and covering the legal costs of lawyers tied to this controversy.

Candidates currently on the Ballot for 2025 Elections

In District 2, four candidates are running for the seat: Democrats Erick Allen (consultant), Jaha Howard (dentist), and Tracy Stevenson (retired general contractor). Alicia Adams is the only Republican candidate. Although Taniesha Whorton initially qualified as a Democrat, she dropped out of the race, but ballots were already printed, and her name will remain on the ballot (which will add another layer of confusion to voters).

In District 4, there are also four candidates. In the Republican primary, Julien Grhas (business owner) and Matthew Hardwick (engineer) are competing. In the Democratic primary, attorney Yashica Marshall is challenging former commissioner Monique Sheffield, whose tenure expired on December 31, 2024. 

Sheffield is Not My Commissioner

As stated earlier, Sheffield’s tenure ended on December 31, 2024, so she does not legally represent anyone. Although she is not the current commissioner, Sheffield has spent the past month of the new year illegally presenting herself as the D4 commissioner and still collecting a paycheck she is not entitled to receive based on Georgia law.  This, coupled with Sheffield being one of the main architects and users of the illegal Cupid Map, has caused many South Cobb citizens to pause. They argue that Sheffield has not been a good leader for South Cobb, citing her failure to be transparent while in office, her lack of good judgment and temperament as she fights with fellow commissioners and with citizens during public comments, and her failure to address critical issues in the South Cobb community such as food and healthcare deserts. They also point to the elephant in the room, her failure to develop Magnolia Crossing – 50 acres of prime real estate that could be the economic engine for South Cobb. This election cycle and utilization of the Cupid map shows that Sheffield is not concerned about protecting taxpayer funds. Instead, they point to her prioritizing the political needs of a single commissioner over the needs of the people of Cobb County, which results in costing taxpayers millions and violating the Georgia Constitution in the process.

Election Costs and Controversy

A major concern surrounding the current election is the significant cost—estimated to be around $1.5 million. However, this is not the full cost of this debacle. Many are critical of the nearly $5 million in taxpayer money spent due to the decision by Sheffield and other officials to use the illegal Cupid Map, which was ultimately thrown out. Not only has this misstep cost taxpayers millions, but it has also led to questions about the legality of using the map. Critics argue that Sheffield violated her oath of office by disregarding the laws of Georgia and electing to use an unconstitutional map to conduct county business. Cobb County Elections Director Tate Fall has stated that the special election cycle could cost the county more than $1.5 million. Some have raised concerns about the total cost of the elections, including the cost to defend the previous, now-illegal, district map, which is expected to exceed $5 million in taxpayer money.

What’s Next?

As confusion continues and voters prepare for the primary election, it’s clear that the political and legal turmoil in Cobb County is far from over. The new election map and the high costs of the election cycle only add to the uncertainty surrounding the future of the Board of Commissioners.

Early Voting and Election Dates

Early voting runs from February 1 through February 7, with polling places open from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. On Election Day, February 11, voting will be available from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Voters can cast their ballots at four early voting locations across Cobb County:

• Cobb Elections Main Office (995 Roswell Street, Marietta)
• Old Clarkdale Park Community Center (153 Mathis Drive, Austell)
• South Cobb Community Center (620 Lions Club Drive, Mableton)
• Smyrna Community Center (1250 Powder Springs Street, Smyrna)

Absentee ballots can be dropped off at each early voting site. Voters must check their My Voter Page (mvp.sos.ga.gov) to determine their assigned polling locations for Election Day.

What’s at Stake?

This special primary and the subsequent election are crucial as they will determine who will fill the vacant seats in Districts 2 and 4 on the Cobb County Board of Commissioners and if the infighting will continue.

With new district lines in place and a sizable election cost, residents of Cobb County are watching closely to see how the political landscape unfolds.