Director Election 101: Understanding the Mail-In Ballot Process for Contested Elections

Southern Rivers Energy is governed by a Board of Directors elected by our members. These directors are fellow members who live in our service area and are committed to representing your interests. Each director holds an assigned seat to ensure representation from across our service area, but all serve at-large, working together to serve the co-op as a whole and act in the best interest of every member. As part of our democratic process, elections are held annually for select board seats based on term rotations.

When a nominee for a director’s seat has no opposition, the Bylaws allow voting to be conducted by voice vote at the annual meeting. However, when a seat on the board is contested by two or more nominees, the Bylaws require that particular election to be conducted by mail-in ballot. This year, we will have a contested election for Seat 6.

What to Expect 
Keep an eye out for your July issue of Georgia Magazine. It will include a special cover wrap containing essential election materials, including: 

• Candidate bios. 
• Voting instructions. 
• Your secure ballot and return envelope.
• Details on how to vote by mail. 

Be sure to complete and return your ballot for a chance to win a $1,000 credit on your Southern Rivers Energy account! 

Results will be announced at the Southern Rivers Energy Annual Meeting of Members on Saturday, Aug. 23, in Barnesville. Ballots will be included with the July and August magazine cover wraps; however, only one ballot per member will be counted. Members are asked to cast their vote on the ballot, then detach and mail it in the postage-paid envelope provided within the magazine.

Ballots must be received before 5 p.m. on Aug. 15, 2025. The independent auditing firm of McNair, McLemore, Middlebrooks & Co., LLP of Macon will receive and tabulate the votes.

2025 BOARD OF DIRECTORS CANDIDATES

SEAT 4 (uncontested)
Millie Alexander

SEAT 5 (uncontested)
Andy Bush

SEAT 6 (contested)
Jessica Harper Jones (candidate)
Harry N. Park (incumbent)

VOTING FOR DIRECTORS BY MAIL 
To vote, complete the ballot included in your July or August Georgia Magazine cover by selecting one candidate for Seat 6. Make sure the person completing the ballot is the member. If you are a corporation, church, or other organization, please specify on the line marked “Organization Name.” Remove the ballot at the perforation and mail it inside the postage-paid envelope provided in the magazine. Ballots received by the auditing firm after 5:00 p.m. on August 15, 2025, will not be counted. To vote, members must be in good standing as of May 31. Ballots will not be accepted in SRE’s office. Do not include your utility payment in the voting envelope. 

VOTING AT THE ANNUAL MEETING 
After you complete and return your ballot by mail for the contested election, mark your calendar for our Annual Meeting of Members on Saturday, Aug. 23, at the Lamar County Fine Arts Center in Barnesville. Members are invited to enjoy a morning of fellowship, food, and co-op updates at this year’s Annual Meeting. Registration begins at 8:30 a.m., followed by a brief business meeting at 10:00 a.m., at which time the contested election results will be announced. Present members will vote to affirm uncontested director nominees for Seats 4 and 5. 

WIN FREE ELECTRICITY! 
Returning your ballot before the August 15th deadline enters you into the mail-in ballot participant drawing for a chance to win a $1,000 SRE bill credit!