Early Voting Off to Brisk Start Monday in Franklin, Hart Counties
Voters lined up early in Carnesville Monday to be among the first to cast an early ballot.
Early voting is now underway in Georgia and Franklin and Hart County voters are already turning out in what promises to be record numbers to cast their ballots.
Voters in both counties are deciding on the Presidential race, as well as one U.S. Senate race.
In Hart County, voters are also deciding on one County Commission race and the State Senate District 24 race. In that race, local resident Brenda Jordan is running on the Democratic ticket against Republican Lee Anderson from Augusta.
Voters in Franklin and Hart counties are also being asked to decide on three separate state referendums that would amend the Georgia Constitution.
Emotions are running high in one of the most contentious Presidential races in recent U.S. history.
That was evidenced Monday morning when voters were already lined up early in Carnesville at the Franklin County Elections and Registrations office.
“Very busy. We had people waiting in line at 7:50a this morning for us to start, to open at 8 o’clock,” said Franklin County Elections Supervisor Gina Chappalear.
As of 5p Monday, 189 citizens had cast ballots in person in Franklin County.
Sign at Elections office in Carnesville offers voter tips to keep process flowing smoothly
Additionally, Chappalear said some 400 requests for absentee ballots had come in so far, with more calls coming in Monday requesting applications, which is a record for an election in Franklin County.
Chappalear reminds voters who come to cast an early ballot to make sure they have their ID’s ready.
“Make sure you have your picture ID out and ready when you come into the office,” she said. “Also, remember no cell phones are allowed at the voting machines; that’s very important. And, if they still need an absentee ballot, you need to go ahead and call so we can get it in the mail.”
In Hart County, Elections Supervisor Robin Webb said that nobody was lined up when they arrived Monday morning, but the turnout was steady.
“We had a strong start with 140 voters before noon,” Webb said. “I would like to see at least 350 a day every day. I would love to see advance voting have at least 50% of the total voter population. It would decrease the pressure on those precincts on Election Day.”
By 5p Monday, 303 voters had cast early ballots at the Elections and Registrations office in Hartwell.