Early voting in Dougherty County under way
Brad McEwen
ALBANY — Eligible voters had their first chance to hit the polls and a cast a vote in the upcoming Albany city elections Monday as early voting got under way in Dougherty County.
According to Dougherty County Elections Supervisor Ginger Nickerson, by 4:30 p.m. Monday 52 voters had taken advantage of the Columbus Day holiday to visit Room 220 of the Central Square Government Center in downtown Albany to cast their ballots.
“(Early voter turnout) varies from election to election,” said Nickerson. “It varies depending on what’s on the ballot.”
There are two races on the ballot this fall, both of which are municipal elections impacting the city of Albany. All of the county’s 30,000 voters who are eligible to vote in this election will have an opportunity to vote in the Albany mayoral race between incumbent Dorothy Hubbard and challengers Tracy Taylor and Lane Rosen.
A portion of those voters will also have an opportunity to vote in the Albany City Commission Ward IV race where incumbent commissioner Roger Marietta is squaring off with challenger Chad Warbington.
Being an odd numbered year this fall’s ballot only includes the two municipal elections and doesn’t include any state or federal races, Nickerson said.
Additionally the ballot does not include any other referendums, unlike four years ago when voters were asked to weigh in on a proposed ESPLOST (Special Purpose Local Option Sales Tax for education).
Nickerson said that the start of early voting falling on the Columbus holiday might also have had an impact on voter turnout the first day.
“A lot of individuals probably don’t realize we’re open,” said Nickerson. “Because of the holiday though a lot of people were off today too.”
Early voting will continue Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. from now until Oct. 30 and can only be done in Room 220 of the government center.
Nickerson said absentee ballots are also available and that any eligible, registered voters wanting to vote absentee can request an absentee ballot either by mail or by calling the elections office at (229) 431-3247.
Nickerson said all absentee ballots, which can be sent in or hand delivered must be received by the elections office no later than 7 p.m. November 3.
Voters can also vote in person on the November 3 election day when 21 of the county’s 28 voting precincts will be open from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.
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