A little higher than normal; that’s how local election officials describe early voter turnout so far in Habersham County. Voters are casting ballots in advance of the March 1st Presidential Preference Primary. Elections Superintendent Laurel Ellison says 277 ballots – 45 Democratic and 232 Republican – have been cast in Habersham since early voting began on February 8. She says she expects that pace to pick up in the coming days as voters move to avoid anticipated crowds on primary day. “I thought we might have a little more than we have had so far with the expectations of the Secretary of State’s office predicting a large turnout,” she says, “but I know it will be picking up by next week.”
On March 1, 2016 Georgians will join voters from six other states – Alabama, Arkansas, Oklahoma, Tennessee, Texas, and Virginia – in the SEC Primary. It marks the largest collaboration of southern states in a presidential primary since Super Tuesday in 1992. “Because of the SEC Primary, Georgia is positioned to have a great impact this year in the Presidential selection process,” says Georgia Secretary of State Brian Kemp.
Kemp and election officials state-wide encourage Georgians to take advantage of early voting opportunities. “Election Day turnout I would think will be higher than a normal Presidential Preference Primary,” says Ellison, “so, I would recommend that voters take advantage of Absentee, Early, Advance or Saturday Voting.”
Absentee ballot applications are still being accepted. Ballots will be mailed through Friday, February 26. If you prefer to vote early in person you may do so by casting your ballot in one of three ways:
Early voting:
When: February 8-26, 2016 from 8 a.m.-5 p.m.
Where: Elections & Voter Registration Office in the Habersham County Administration Building (basement of the old county courthouse), 555 Monroe Street, Clarkesville, GA 30523.
Saturday Voting:
When: February 20, 2016 from 9 a.m.-4 p.m.
Where: North Habersham Precinct – Ruby C. Fulbright Aquatic Center, 120 Paul Franklin Road (Toccoa Highway), Clarkesville.
South Habersham Precinct – First Baptist Church of Cornelia, 325 Oak Street (banquet hall/gym), Cornelia, GA 30531.
Advanced Voting:
When: February 22-26, 2016 from 8 a.m.-7 p.m.
Where: North Habersham Precinct – Ruby Fulbright Aquatic Center, 120 Paul Franklin Road (Toccoa Highway), Clarkesville.
South Habersham Precinct – First Baptist Church of Cornelia, 325 Oak Street (banquet hall/gym), Cornelia.
If you’re unable to vote early, Ellison urges you to make sure you know which voting precinct to go to on Election Day. To find out, just call the Elections & Voter Registration Office at 706-839-0170 or visit https://www.mvp.sos.ga.gov/MVP/mvp.do and follow the online instructions.
