ATLANTA — Georgians eager to cast their primary ballots or simply wanting to avoid Election Day lines can begin early voting first thing Monday morning.
Although the ballots won’t be counted until after 7 p.m. on May 20, the early voting period provides extra convenience for people who may be traveling on Election Day or trying to avoid meeting a boorish neighbor at the precinct.
Friday, Secretary of State Brian Kemp said his office has just completed stress testing the system to ensure the electronic voting machines in each county will work flawlessly.
“They’re ready. The counties have been working very hard. We have a lot of good things going on. We’re communicating daily with them,” he said.
The primary is open to all registered voters. Anyone can request either a Republican, Democratic or nonpartisan ballot. The two party ballots will allow voters to select their choice of nominee in each race to face the other party’s nominee in November’s general election.
Nonpartisan ballots will only contain the names of judicial candidates and, in Augusta, those running for mayor. Those opting for Republican or Democratic ballots also get to vote on the nonpartisan contests.
Kemp said there is no way to predict the voter turnout or how much of the total vote will be done early.
“I think there are people who just don’t realize that it’s getting close to the election. But the same could be said of the July primary when they were wrapped up in vacations and such,” he said.
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