While local voters March 6 can indicate an initial preference for a presidential candidate, no local races will be on the ballot. The only candidate to fill a vacant Cartersville school board seat is set to be sworn in after the presidential primary and special election date.

Carolyn Johnson is the only contender for the empty board seat following Chereta Gordon's withdrawal due to a conflict of interest with her job. The two had been the only candidates for the Ward 1 seat previously held by Michael Dean, who passed away at the beginning of November after a battle with cancer.

But Johnson could not be appointed before the March 6 special election, Assistant Superintendent Ken Clouse said.

"Since she's running unopposed, we tried to get a ruling that she could go ahead and get started, and certainly Ms. Johnson is attending some meetings, but she can't participate as a voting member [of the board] to get her feet on the ground," Clouse said. "We were told from the state attorney's office that we would have to wait until the vote happens and the vote is certified."

Georgia's presidential preference primary will help determine the Republican nominee for president.

Early or advanced voting for all Bartow County voters begins Feb. 13 and continues through March 2 at two locations:

Board of Election's and Voter Registration

• From 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, from Feb. 13 to March 2
• Saturday, Feb. 25, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Cartersville Civic Center

From 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, from Feb. 27 to March 2