KINGSLAND, Ga. – Early voting is now underway statewide in Georgia ahead of next month’s Senate runoff election between Democratic U.S. Sen. Raphael Warnock and Republican Herschel Walker.
Election officials and voting groups are urging voters to go to the polls in person, instead of sending absentee ballots by mail, to ensure that their vote is counted.
Some counties in Georgia started early voting on Saturday, including Ware County. One site saw hundreds of voters on Saturday, according to the Ware County Supervisor of Elections.
The Georgia Secretary of State’s Office reported that at least 70,000 people voted Saturday. The first Saturday of early voting for the general election drew 79,682 people.
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All Georgia counties will offer early voting Monday, Nov. 28, through Friday, Dec. 2.
Early voting hours in Ware County will run from 7:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. from Monday, Nov. 28, through Friday, Dec. 2.
Glynn County will have early voting from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. from Monday, Nov. 28, through Friday, Dec. 2, at three locations: Board of Elections, SSI Fire Station No. 2 and the Ballard Community Building.
Charlton County’s early voting will be from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. from Monday, Nov. 28, through Friday, Dec. 2, at the Elections Office in Folkston.
Camden County offers advance in-person early voting at two locations:
Camden County Annex Building (107 N. Gross Road in Kingsland)
- Monday, Nov. 28, and Thursday, Dec. 1, from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
- Friday, Dec. 2, from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Three Rivers Church (101 Miller St. in St. Marys)
- Thursday, Dec. 1, 8 a.m. - 5 p.m.
- Friday, Dec. 2, 8 a.m. - 6 p.m.
News4JAX was at the Camden County Annex Building on Monday. The early voting site had been busy all morning since polls opened at 8 a.m., with voters forming long lines around the building.
News4JAX spoke with a couple of voters who were surprised to see this many people voting early.
“I’ve never seen this many people on the first day of early voting. So I guess everybody is trying to get their vote in. I guess everybody just got back from the holidays and they just want to get it over with before the next holiday,” said voter Danielle Felber. “So I think that’s why they’re coming out, and I’m actually impressed at how many people are here.”
“I’m glad everyone is out voting,” said voter Ray Biggers. “You need to, you know.”
All Georgia counties are offering early voting Monday through Friday.
— Brianna Andrews (@BriannaDAndrews) November 28, 2022
Polls opened at 8 am in Camden County and we’re already seeing a long line forming outside of the Camden County Annex Building— one of two of the county’s early voting sites. @wjxt4 pic.twitter.com/ZtWducJLo3
Voter Lousheka Robinson said she came out to cast her ballot to guarantee that her voice will be heard.
“Many people died for me to be able to do this today, so I’m making sure that I do my part so I can’t complain if I don’t do my part,” Robinson said. “So I want to do my part and hopefully make things better.”
Voter Michael McDaniel said he rearranged his entire schedule to cast his ballot.
“I went and called my job and let them know I was going to be here and be late going in just to express my vote because I know as it goes on through the week, it’s probably going to get busier and busier,” McDaniel said. “I figured the earlier I get here the better.”
The deadline to request an absentee ballot in all local counties is Monday, Nov. 28.
The special election is Tuesday, Dec. 6.