Liberty and Long counties are experiencing a record number of voters this week, the first week of advance voting in the midterm election, according to local election supervisors. Advance voting runs until Nov. 2. Election Day is Nov. 6.
As of Friday morning, 1,428 voters cast ballots at the Liberty County Voters Registration Office inside the historic courthouse in Hinesville, according to Liberty County Election Supervisor Ella Golden. She said 504 voters cast ballots at the county’s satellite voter registration office in Midway.
“Voting this time around is almost like a presidential election,” Golden said of the strong turnout.
She added that a large number of paper absentee ballots had come in, but they had not been counted as of press time Friday.
Long County Election Supervisor Trynina Harris said there are 8,687 registered voters in Long County, and that 463 of them had cast ballots during the first week of advance voting, as of 8:30 a.m. Friday.
“Normally, our busiest time is when there’s a commissioner’s race,” Harris said. “(Strong voter turnout) is a good thing.”
There are two advance voting locations in Liberty County, one at the Liberty County Voters Registration Office, 100 Main St., Suite 1600, Hinesville; and Liberty County Community Complex, 9397 E. Oglethorpe Hwy, Midway. Long County voters can vote at the county courthouse in Ludowici, 459 South McDonald Street.
Candidates are running for several powerful positions in Georgia. Democratic candidate Stacey Abrams will face off against Republican Brian Kemp for Governor, and Democrat Sarah Amico is running against Republican Geoff Duncan for Lieutenant Governor, according to votesmart.org.
Current U.S. Representative Buddy Carter serves as Georgia’s District 1 seat. His opponent is Democrat Lisa Ring of Richmond Hill.
The race to replace Kemp as Secretary of State is currently between Democrat John Barrow, Republican Brad Raffensperger and Libertarian Smythe DuVal.
The race for Attorney General is between Charlie Bailey and Chris Carr; and the race for State School Superintendent is between Otha E. Thornton, Jr., and current superintendent Richard Woods.
There are several commission seats up for re-election in Liberty County. Each incumbent is running unopposed: District 1 Commissioner Marion Stevens, Sr., District 2 Commissioner Justin L. Frasier, and District 3 Commissioner Connie Thrift.
State Rep. Al Williams is also running unopposed for District 168.
The Liberty County NAACP branch is offering residents who need transportation free rides to the polls. The NAACP can be reached at 912-408-2278.
For more information, visit the Voter Registration and Elections page at libertycountyga.com, or call 912-876-3310. Long County residents can go to the Voter Registration and Elections page at longcountyboc.com or call 912-545-2143.