Residents of South Hall's cities will have to vote at two precincts if they want to cast ballots in all the Nov. 8 elections.

Braselton, Flowery Branch and Oakwood residents will need to go to their respective, local polling places to vote on either council races or a referendum calling for Sunday alcohol sales, or both.

If they want to vote on James Mills' successor to the state House District 25 seat, they must go to their assigned county precinct.

Buford also extends into South Hall, but City Clerk Kim C. Wolfe couldn't be reached for comment about the city's elections.

A contested City Council race is taking place in Flowery Branch, and the alcohol referendum is on ballots in Oakwood, Flowery Branch and Braselton.

Seven people are vying for the District 25 seat, which encompasses South Hall.

Mills, a Chestnut Mountain Republican, left the office after he was appointed by Gov. Nathan Deal to the state Pardons and Paroles Board.

The dual voting issue came up Thursday morning during a Gainesville City Council work session.

Ward 4 residents, also part of District 25, will have to vote at two precincts unless they take advantage of early voting, which begins Tuesday and takes place at the Hall County elections office, 2285 Browns Bridge Road.

"Because the council is elected at large is really what's causing this," City Clerk Denise Jordan said.

"And the other reason is the timing. ... It wasn't called early enough for the ballots to include the special election."

The city has only one contested council race: Local businesswoman Debra Harkrider is challenging longtime incumbent Bob Hamrick for the Ward 2 seat. Residents also are voting on Sunday alcohol sales.

South Hall residents living in cities can vote early as well, but they'll still have to visit two polling places, said Charlotte Sosebee, interim elections director.

For the District 25 race, they can cast ballots at the Hall County elections office.

For local issues, Flowery Branch and Oakwood residents can vote early or on Nov. 8 at their respective city halls. Braselton voters will go to Town Hall for early voting and the police and court building next door on Nov. 8.

Overall, there are 35,818 eligible voters in the District 25 special election, Sosebee said.

Of that number, 1,049 live in Gainesville; 3,045, Flowery Branch; 459, Buford; 1,021, Braselton; and 1,453, Oakwood voters.

As for the dual voting, Sosebee said, "I realize this may be awkward for us, but it is not unheard of throughout the state of Georgia."

Signs "will be posted at all voting locations to remind the voters that two elections are occurring on the same day but in two different locations," she said.

Sosebee said that although Gainesville residents can cast early ballots in one place, "the elections are separate. It is a requirement to complete an application for both."