With six candidates vying for two open seats, Dawsonville election officials aren’t sure what to expect in the Nov. 3 City Council election.

The election is citywide, with the seats going to the top two vote-getters.

Among the council hopefuls are: Calvin Byrd, Frank Craft, Joe F. Fortune,  Linda Grant, James Grogan and Alan Metzel.

“In the last city election, we had about 300 ballots cast. I hope we have at least that many for this election,” said Kim Cornelison, city administrator and election superintendent.

Voters will have a chance to meet the candidates and hear their views on a number of topics during an Oct. 29 political forum.

Sponsored by the Dawson County Chamber of Commerce, the debate is set for  6 to 8:30 p.m. at Dawson County Middle School.

The event will begin with a candidate meet and greet, followed by a question and answer session mediated by a panel chosen from within the chamber.

Candidates will have the opportunity to respond to each question, organizers said.

The public is encouraged to submit questions on issues affecting the city to the chamber, P.O. Box 299, Dawsonville, GA 30534.

Cornelison said she could not attempt to predict the outcome of the election, in which five candidates have each spent about $300 campaigning.

Political newcomer Calvin Byrd has spent more than $2,300, according to initial campaign disclosures.

As of Monday, the city had received 33 of the 34 absentee ballots it mailed out. Absentee voting runs through Friday.

Advance voting begins on Monday and runs through Oct. 30.

The city of Dawsonville has 1,179 registered voters, according to Cornelison.

Polls will be open from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Nov. 3, as will polls throughout Dawson County for the Dawson County school system’s referendum to continue the county’s 1-cent sales tax for education.