ACWORTH - The city of Acworth has canceled its Nov. 3 general election, which is saving the taxpayers and city thousands of dollars.

The three seats up for election are uncontested, and as a result, the city can cancel the election under a new Georgia law - which may set a precedent.

According to the Official Code of Georgia Annotated sections 21-2-291 and 21-2-285: "In the event that there are unopposed candidates in a primary, special primary, general election, or special election, there may not be a need to have an election at all. Unless more than one write-in candidate has qualified or unless there are issues to be submitted to the electorate, the unopposed candidate is generally deemed to have voted for himself or herself and may be declared the winner."

Candidates Tommy Allegood for mayor; Tim Richardson for Alderman Post 4; and Tim Houston for Alderman Post 5 have all qualified and are running unopposed.

"I can't recall any time in recent history in the city when the city was able to call of an election," Allegood said. "It's a big savings to the taxpayers."

Allegood said the city is saving $7,000 - money that was originally budgeted for the election year.

"It will wind up being a part of a surplus, which saves the taxpayers the cost of the election," he said. "In any municipality budget, if you're in an election year or cycle, you always budget monies to be used for the election."

The city of Johns Creek in North Fulton County has also called off its general election, with four candidates running unopposed.

Sharon Dunn, Cobb Elections director, said an unopposed candidate's name must appear on a ballot when there are other races with more than one candidate.

Allegood said he would spend Nov. 3 keeping an eye on the elections in other Cobb cities.