More than 8,000 votes have already been cast in Georgia ahead of a key April 18 special election that includes the nationally watched race to replace former U.S. Rep. Tom Price.
Early voting in Cobb, DeKalb and Fulton counties started a week ago and will include this Saturday, when polls will also be open.
The 6th Congressional District that Price represented covers parts of Cobb, DeKalb and Fulton counties.
The other race on the ballot will replace former state Sen. Judson Hill, R-Marietta, and is for Senate District 32, which covers parts of Cobb and Fulton counties. Hill vacated the seat to join the field of 18 candidates running to replace Price.
Most of those voting early so far are casting their ballots in-person, although a number of absentee ballots have been requested but not yet returned.
According to the latest early voting numbers from the Georgia Secretary of State’s Office:
- Number of ballots cast: 8,110
- Number of ballots voted in person: 6,780
- Number of mail-in ballots returned: 1,330
- Number of mail-in ballots outstanding: 5,861
How to vote early
Any voter registered in those districts can vote early.
Each of the three counties has at least one early voting location open. In DeKalb, it's the main elections office. Cobb will open two locations on select days. Fulton County has several sites available. Be aware, however, that these are not your regular neighborhood polling places. The municipalities are only opening select sites during the early voting period.
Use the Secretary of State Office's online "my voter page" website (www.mvp.sos.ga.gov/MVP/mvp.do) to find a sample ballot or specific early voting location.
You can also call your local elections office to find early voting locations or look for the "advance voting info" link under the elections tab of the Secretary of State Office's website (www.sos.ga.gov).
Don’t forget to bring photo identification, which can include a Georgia driver’s license, even if it’s expired; a state-issued voter identification card; a valid U.S. passport; or a valid U.S. military photo ID.
No “ballot selfies” are allowed at the polls, so wait to snap a photo until you’re outside. It is illegal in Georgia to take pictures of a ballot or voting equipment, but the Secretary of State Office has said it has seen voters in previous elections post “ballot selfies” on social media — something that could get you in trouble with the law.
Information about local elections and your “My Voter Page” can also be found on the free “GA SOS” app for your smartphone via iTunes or Google Play for Android.
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