Well, it has happened again.

Went to participate in early voting this week, and there on the ballot discovered a plethora of unheard of candidates who had never dunked their political heads into the waters of southwest Georgia.

OK, now, see if you can identify these people, (vote for one) all candidates for one job—James Babalola, Antoinette Davis, Stan Hunter, Adrienne Strothers, Curtis McFadden or David Shaeffer.

They are all candidates for the same statewide office.

Answer at the end of this missive.

Then of course there are Republican and Democratic candidates hoping folks will cast ballots only along party lines. But what is interesting, is that most offices have a Libertarian candidate as part of the mix.

Didn’t see any recognizable tea party people.

We do have our local candidates.

With local candidates, a dilemma may arise when personal friends vie for the same political office. For example, Frank Loeffler and Ted Snell oppose one another for county commissioner. Both are my personal friends.

In another race, Sydney Cochran and John McRae are both my personal friends seeking the same school board seat. Anybody have any suggestions on how to resolve this on which friend gets your vote?

It would be easier if you thought one or the other were not up to the job. Not so among these candidates. All are well qualified.

Then enter Marjean Boyd running against incumbent Gene Maddox for state representative. Rep Maddox has represented us well. But there is no one in the current legislature, senator or representative, from Decatur County this year.

In fact, having arrived here in 1991 except for Cathy Cox, I cannot recall anyone else representing Decatur County in the legislature for the past 20 years.

Marjean is worthy of your consideration.

There are times when you stand in the voting booth, when an office pops up that’s completely foreign. There was Wayne Thomas, the incumbent, running for re-election as supervisor of the Flint River Soil and Water Conservation District. The what?

Next, constitutional amendments. How many of you have read them in advance, and can cast an intelligent vote?

Not me.

In statewide races, usually the governor’s race generates the most interest.

This year we have Democrat Roy Barnes versus Republican Nathan Deal plus Libertarian John Monds, Thank you Roy Barnes for coming to see us during the campaign.

Libertarian Monds has a Web site, and if you go there, you can educate yourself about his candidacy. He has been active in community service throughout the state. And get this, he lives in Grady County.

One of the convenient things about the Internet is most candidates have Web sites, and you can go there and acquaint yourself with who they are and what they stand for.

There’s another item of interest in this year’s election. The local office has a list of all the write-in candidates for 10 offices.

For example, if you don’t like Republican Johnny Isakson or Democrat Michael Thurmond or Libertarian Chuck Donovan for U.S. Senator from Georgia, you can write in your choice of Raymond Beckworth, Brian Russell Brown or Steve Davis.

Fat chance the write-ins stand a chance, but hey, you gotta make the effort.

What’s great about early voting is you don’t feel pushed or stressed to complete the task. It’s a relaxing and pleasant experience. Find a sample ballot and acquaint yourself with the candidates and the constitutional amendments. Stop by the courthouse annex for one. Or, go on line to: www.sos.ga.gov/mvp. Trust me, it works. Fill in the blacks and hit “submit.”

Oh, yes. All those names from the beginning of this missive are candidates for the state court of appeals. (Vote for one). Wonder why so many people want to be an appeals judge? Winner probably will be luck of the draw.

If you miss early voting, regular voting day is Tuesday Nov. 2. Early voting goes on all month. Ballots are at the courthouse annex, next to the courthouse.

Please vote, early or later, but please vote.