Election season is underway, with early voting for the Nov. 8 midterm election beginning on Monday, Oct. 17.
Through early voting, the Oglethorpe County Board of Elections officials hope to increase voter turnout and offer convenience for citizens. Early voting ends on Nov. 4.
Voters will be able to cast their ballots for several highly anticipated races.
Herschel Walker and Raphael Warnock are in a contest for a Senate seat, Stacey Abrams is attempting to defeat incumbent Gov. Brian Kemp, and Mike Collins faces Tabitha Johnson-Green for the U.S. House District 10 seat.
Oglethorpe County residents will also vote in the Georgia House District 124 race between incumbent Trey Rhodes (R-Greensboro) and Kat Howkins.
Residents can vote between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. weekdays. There will also be Saturday voting, from 9 a.m.-5 p.m. on Oct. 22 and Oct. 29.
The only location to vote in advance is the Board of Elections office, at 41 Fairground Road in Lexington.
Election supervisor Marilyn Huff-Waller encourages residents to head to the polls during the early voting period. This will make for a smoother Election Day and offer a seamless experience to Oglethorpe County residents, she said.
“Our advanced voting is a very smooth process,” Huff-Waller said. “It’s quick. In and out.”
According to Oglethorpe County data from the Secretary of State’s office, 6,500 ballots were cast in the last midterm election in 2018, for a 68.62% voter turnout.
As of Oct. 10, the Board of Elections has received 370 applications for absentee ballots. Oct. 28 is the deadline to submit them.
“Take use of these three weeks and you won’t have to stand in line on Election Day,” Huff-Waller said.