Advanced voting week for Hinesville’s December runoff elections started with a fast, yet smooth pace Monday at the Liberty County Voter Registration Office.
With a new mayor and two city council seats still to be decided, hundreds of residents made their way to the voter registration office at 102 S. Commerce St. in Hinesville, many hoping to show early support for their favored candidate as well as avoid the line next week at the Charles M. Shuman Recreation Center.
“I had people lined up outside the front door before 8 o’clock this morning,” Liberty County Chief Registrar Ella Golden said with a laugh Monday afternoon, adding there is still a strong sense of enthusiasm within the city's electorate three weeks after the Nov. 6 regular election.
According to preliminary estimates, Golden said her office expected to have more than 500 ballots cast by the close of business Tuesday evening.
Residents hoping to participate in advanced voting have until Friday at 5 p.m. to get their vote in and are reminded to bring the required photo identification.
Those who miss the opportunity to vote this week will have to wait until Dec. 4 to take part in the political process.
For more information about early voting, the ID requirement or voting eligibility, call the voter registration office at 876-3310.
 
Hinesville races
Mayor
Robert “Bob” Pirkle
James “Jim” Thomas

City Council, District 3
David Anderson Sr. (incumbent)
Bonita Smith
 
City Council, District 4
Keith Jenkins
Jack Shuman (incumbent)
 
Note: Although all Hinesville voters are eligible to vote in the mayoral race, only voters residing in city council districts three and four are eligible to vote in their respective runoffs.