Early voting for the Nov. 6 general and presidential elections is under way at the Decatur County Fairgrounds.

Approximately 315 people had voted in person at the Fairgrounds through Tuesday at 3:45 p.m., said Peggy Richardson, Clerk of Voter Registration.

Early voting will be conducted Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., between now and Oct. 26. A Saturday has been set aside for early voting on Oct. 27, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., also at the Fairgrounds. The last week of early voting before the election will be conducted between Oct. 29 and Nov. 2, between the hours of 9 a.m. and 6 p.m., again at the Fairgrounds.

The physical address of the early voting location is 1211 Vada Road.

On Election Day, Nov. 6, all county polling places will be open from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.

The main item on the ballot is the U.S. Presidential Election between incumbent Democrat Barack Obama and Republican challenger Mitt Romney.

The only contested County Commissioner race will be in District 5, currently represented by Russell Smith, who is opposed by Terry Ellis.

All county voters will get to vote on the office of coroner. Incumbent Peter Bruton did not run for re-election, so the two persons on the ballot are Andrew Heard, Republican, and Kenny Hollis, Democrat.

There are two State House of Representatives races involving Decatur County voters, depending on where they live.

Most of Bainbridge and northern Decatur County will vote for who will represent House District 171. On the ballot are incumbent Republican Jay Powell and Democrat Jewell Howard.

Southern Decatur County and Climax will vote for who will represent House District 173. On the ballot are incumbent Republican Darlene Taylor and Democrat Haley Shank.

All county voters will cast ballots for who will represent the 2nd Congressional District of Georgia in the U.S. House of Representatives. On the ballot are incumbent Democrat Sanford Bishop and Republican challenger John House.

 

Voters will need to show photo ID

Georgia law requires Georgia residents to show photo identification when voting in person.

The IDs acceptable are the following: Any valid state or federal government photo ID, including a free voter ID card issued by the Decatur County registrar’s office located at the Courthouse Annex at the corner of Water and Crawford streets or the Georgia Department of Driver Services; a Georgia driver’s license, even if expired; valid employee photo ID from any branch, department, agency, or entity of the U.S. government, Georgia, or any county, municipality, board, authority or other entity of this state; valid U.S. passport ID; valid U.S. military photo ID; and valid tribal photo ID.

For additional information about Georgia’s photo ID requirement please visit www.GAPhotoID.com

 

Voters can view sample ballots online

For more information on Georgia elections, including a list of the candidates who have qualified for state government positions, visit the Georgia Secretary of State’s elections Web site at http://www.sos.ga.gov/elections/

Citizens who want to check their voter registration status, locate where they vote, look at a sample ballot and find out more voting-related information can visit the Georgia Secretary of State’s “My Voter Page” at www.sos.ga.gov/mvp. To use the site, voters just need to enter their name, county of registration and their birthday.

Voters can also call the Decatur County Board of Elections office at (229) 243-2087.