Last Day to Vote Early in Mid-Term General Election

VotersJust a reminder this is the last day to cast an early ballot before next Tuesday’s mid-term General Election.

Secretary of State Brian Kemp says as of Thursday morning, 709,992 early ballots had been cast statewide.  Of that, just over 631-thousand were cast in person.

Another 78,967 mail-in ballots had been returned and some 43,170 mail-in ballots were still outstanding.

Voters in both Hart and Franklin Counties have had a good turn-out of voters for this important election as well.

In Franklin County local races, two County Commission seats and three Board of Education seats are open, but all candidates are running unopposed.

Still, Franklin County Elections Supervisor Gina Chappalear says the turnout for advance voting has been good.

“We’ve had 886 vote through advance voting in the office, and we’ve had 149 of the 221 absentee ballots mailed out come back in,” she said.

In Hart County, voters are deciding on a new county probate judge to replace former Judge Bob Smith who resigned in July.

Five candidates are vying for the seat.

They include, Priscilla Kay Ankerich, Thaddeus Keith Cheek, Merry Pilgrim Kirk, Jon David Scott, and Todd C. Townsend.

A run-off is expected in that race.

Voters in Hart County are also deciding on whether to approve the continuation of the Education Special Purpose Local Option Sales Tax or eSPLOST.  The eSPLOST was voted down last year.

If the penny sales tax is approved, the revenue would be used to build an agricultural science facility, a new high school gym and wellness center, and a college and career academy.

The money would also be used to make education improvements at existing schools over the next five years.

Voter turnout in Hart County so far, has been heavy, according to County Registrar John Stercho who was too busy Thursday with a crush of voters to give us any up to date numbers.

There will be no early voting on Monday.

And just a reminder, if you go to vote either today or on Tuesday, you must have a valid photo ID with you.