Monday was the first day of early voting for the Presidential primaries and traffic at the Bulloch County courthouse was steady. By noon, 24 people had cast their vote and by 4 p.m., another 90 had cast ballots, totaling 114 for the day, with another hour remaining.
Bulloch County Deputy Registrar Shontay Jones is holding early voting in her office at the courthouse. With three touch screens in place, she said the process is going smoothly.
"Things are going pretty steadily," said Jones. "It's been a little slow, but we'll be here all week, Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m."
Early voting is similar to absentee balloting since individuals wishing to vote must first fill out the standard absentee ballot request form. Where early voting differs is that voters will cast their ballot on the computer touch screen, as opposed to a paper ballot.
Once early voting is complete, the computer cards which recorded all the votes will be held until after the polls close on Feb. 5, to be counted at that time.
Jones wanted to make sure that everyone knows they are required to bring proper identification in order to cast their vote.
Proper identification consists of one of the following: a valid Georgia driver's license, any valid state or U.S. issued employee identification card with a photo of the elector, a valid U.S. passport, a valid voter identification card, a valid U.S. military identification card or a valid tribal identification card. A voter registration card is not sufficient identification to vote.
Helen Rosengarten is a Bulloch resident and is retired. She decided to vote early in order to make room for other voters next Tuesday.
"Retired people have a little more free time and I just wanted to help alleviate the crowds on Tuesday," said Rosengarten.
Voter registrar Reginald Beasley says he expects traffic to pick up as the week wears on.
"It will get better," said Beasely.
Bulloch County Deputy Registrar Shontay Jones is holding early voting in her office at the courthouse. With three touch screens in place, she said the process is going smoothly.
"Things are going pretty steadily," said Jones. "It's been a little slow, but we'll be here all week, Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m."
Early voting is similar to absentee balloting since individuals wishing to vote must first fill out the standard absentee ballot request form. Where early voting differs is that voters will cast their ballot on the computer touch screen, as opposed to a paper ballot.
Once early voting is complete, the computer cards which recorded all the votes will be held until after the polls close on Feb. 5, to be counted at that time.
Jones wanted to make sure that everyone knows they are required to bring proper identification in order to cast their vote.
Proper identification consists of one of the following: a valid Georgia driver's license, any valid state or U.S. issued employee identification card with a photo of the elector, a valid U.S. passport, a valid voter identification card, a valid U.S. military identification card or a valid tribal identification card. A voter registration card is not sufficient identification to vote.
Helen Rosengarten is a Bulloch resident and is retired. She decided to vote early in order to make room for other voters next Tuesday.
"Retired people have a little more free time and I just wanted to help alleviate the crowds on Tuesday," said Rosengarten.
Voter registrar Reginald Beasley says he expects traffic to pick up as the week wears on.
"It will get better," said Beasely.