Early voting opens in Dougherty County

ALBANY — Dougherty County voters were out in full force Monday to cast their ballots on the opening day of early voting at the Albany Dougherty Government Center on Pine Avenue.

By mid-morning, voters had filled the government center’s second floor, lining up 30-deep to make their voices heard in what is expected to be a busy election year thanks to a hotly contested presidential election.

“We’ve had a great day in the elections office,” Dougherty County Elections Supervisor Ginger Nickerson said. “I wish all of our elections started out like this. By 3:30 we already had over 1,000 people (vote).

“We average about 1,000 a day when it’s a presidential election, so we had a great day.”

This year’s ballot also contains the controversial Amendment 1 referendum, which, if passed would allow the state to take control of schools not meeting certain state standards. Locally voters also get to weigh in on two special-purpose local-option sales tax (SPLOST) referendums, one for city and county government, and the other for education. All are drawing voter interest, Nickerson said.

“People are much better informed now,” she said. “There are so many ways for the voters to access information now. The Secretary of State’s office has the sample ballots on line. You’ve got so many great tools.”

As for the voters, area residents came out early for a variety of reasons, including the fact it was easier to vote early at the voting office while already downtown than to travel to an individual precinct on election day Nov. 8. Others said they were voting early because they will be away from home on election day, or they wanted to make sure they got their voting done sooner.

Mike and Maureen Doyle, who joined the throngs in the elections office Monday morning said, they had two reasons for voting early.

“Well, we’re going to be out of town on voting day,” said Maureen Doyle. “But we’ve always been kind of over-eager, too, so we tend to vote early.”

“We always vote early,” added Mike Doyle. “It’s the best time.”

Though the couple had to wait in line to cast their ballots, both said they felt like it was a small price to pay in order to do what they believe is their duty as citizens.

“We always vote,” said Maureen Doyle. “It’s an important right for citizens. If you don’t vote you’re just losing one of your patriotic rights. To me you’re not supporting your country if you don’t vote.”

Although his wife encouraged him to bite his tongue about some of the feelings he has toward people who don’t exercise their rights, Mike Doyle pointed out why he thinks it’s important for everyone to vote.

“One election was won by one vote, so every vote counts,” he said.

Dougherty County residents can continue to exercise their right to choose during early voting through Nov. 4. The county voting office is open Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.

There is also a state-mandated Saturday voting on Oct. 29. That will be conducted 9 a.m.-4 p.m. at the Riverfront Resource Center’s Candy Room at 125 Pine Ave. Additionally, the Dougherty County Elections Board is also allowing a Sunday voting day 1 p.m.-5 p.m. Oct. 30 at the Candy Room.

“I look for it to be successful,” Nickerson said. “We’re hoping it will bring in new voters, first time voters, who haven’t voted before. We hope to see some new faces.”