Turnout steady during first week of early voting in Dougherty County

ALBANY – The first week of early voting ahead of the Nov. 3 general election got off to a fast start in Dougherty County, with more than 1,000 residents showing up to cast ballots each of the first two days.

The total for Tuesday and Wednesday came in at 2,101, which is not bad, Dougherty County Election Supervisor Ginger Nickerson said.

While noting that those numbers are a good start, Nickerson said that election officials would like to see more people turn out. The numbers are not the best ever recorded for statewide contests, but it is a fairly strong showing.

“We are excited they are coming out,” she said. “With the number of voters (66,663) we have registered, we could have higher numbers. Most of our state elections do good because it is the governor. It is among our better turnouts. It’s good (so far). We’re hoping for a whole lot better.”

Statewide, early advance voting is open each weekday through Oct. 30. In addition, two mandated Saturday voting opportunities fall on Oct. 17 and Oct. 24. 

Dougherty County polls are open from 9 a.m.-5 p.m. at the Albany Civic Center, with two days when voting will be extended until 7 p.m. on Oct. 22 and Oct. 29 and a Sunday voting opportunity from 1 p.m.-5 p.m. on Oct. 25.

Lee County’s voting takes place from 8:15 a.m.-5:15 p.m. on weekdays and 9 a.m.-5 p.m. on the two Saturdays.

Pop-up voting opportunities in Lee County will be held from 2-7 p.m. on Oct. 19 and Oct. 20 at the Bindery, 445 Oakland Parkway, and the same hours on Oct. 21 and Oct. 22 at the Redbone Fire Station at 1286 Graves Springs Road.

A poll worker said that voting was steady but that voters had moved through quickly during the first two days in Dougherty County. Barbara Robinson, who voted on Thursday, agreed with that assessment.

“It’s easy,” she said. “It was quick; it’s organized. It’s moving; the line is moving.”

Robinson said that she sometimes votes early and sometimes waits until Election Day to cast a ballot in her home precinct.

“It depends,” Robinson said. “I had the time today. I went ahead just in case something happens and I’m out of town.”

In addition to casting early ballots voting on Election Day, voters also have the option of requesting absentee ballots through Oct. 23. Those ballots must be received by 7 p.m. on Nov. 3, and voters also can drop those ballots off at the Voter Registration and Elections Office located at 222 Pine Ave. 

Nickerson encouraged voters using the mail to act as quickly as possible to ensure the votes are received by the deadline. As of Thursday morning, Nickerson’s office had issued 960 ballots by mail and accepted 165 completed ballots.

Voters can see the hours of operation in their county for early voting precincts and sample ballots at the state My Voter Page by visiting https://mvp.sos.ga.gov/s/. Sample ballots from the site can be printed, and voters can mark choices before taking them to the voting precinct.

“We encourage people to plan their vote,” Nickerson said.