Early Voting Sets Records in Franklin, Hart Counties

Just a reminder there is no early voting today.

If you missed the deadline Friday, you will have to wait until tomorrow, Tuesday to cast your ballot in the Mid-term General Elections.

Secretary of State Brian Kemp says as of Friday morning, 798,309 early ballots had been cast statewide.  Of that, just over 714,219 were cast in person.  Another  84,090 mail-in ballots had been returned and some 39,641 mail-in ballots were still outstanding.

Absentee ballots must be turned in by Tuesday to be counted.

Voters in both Hart and Franklin Counties had a good turn-out of voters during early voting.

As of Friday afternoon, 1,093 voters had stopped by the Franklin County Board of Elections office to cast an early ballot. Also, 178 of 227 absentee ballots that were mailed out had been returned.

In Franklin County local races, two County Commission seats and three Board of Education seats are open, but all candidates are running unopposed.  Those races were decided in May during the Primary Election.

In Hart County, the Hart County Registrar’s office was literally overwhelmed with the number of early voters and workers would not release any numbers Friday.  Lines were busy as of press time this morning.

Voters there are deciding on a new county probate judge to replace former Judge Bob Smith who resigned in July.

Five candidates are vying for the seat.

They include, Priscilla Kay Ankerich, Thaddeus Keith Cheek, Merry Pilgrim Kirk, Jon David Scott, and Todd C. Townsend.  A run-off is expected in that race.   If there is a run-off, it will take place December 2nd.

Voters in Hart County are also deciding on whether to approve the continuation of the Education Special Purpose Local Option Sales Tax or eSPLOST.

The eSPLOST was voted down last year.

If the penny sales tax is approved, the revenue would be used to build an agricultural science facility, a new high school gym and wellness facility, and a college and career academy.

The money would also be used to make education improvements at existing schools over the next five years.

Polls open at 7a Tuesday and close at 7p.  Voters will go to their regular precincts to cast ballots on Tuesday.

92.1 will have live local election results from Franklin and Hart Counties Tuesday evening after the polls close.