Early voting opens Monday

It’s back to the polls! Just when you thought this election cycle was over there are still three important races yet to be decided.
And to make it as convenient as possible you can begin voting early starting next Monday, according to Chief Deputy Registrar Phyllis Gainous.
Topping the Dec. 2nd general election runoff ballot is the race for the United States Senate between incumbent Republican Saxby Chambliss and Democratic challenger Jim Martin.
Chambliss garnered 109,748 votes more than Martin statewide, but failed to reach the required 50 plus one percent of the vote to win re-election without a runoff.
According to the Georgia Secretary of State Karen Handel, Chambliss received 49.8 percent to Martin’s 46.8 percent. Libertarian candidate Allen Buckley won 3.4 percent of the statewide votes cast.
In Grady County, Chambliss received 5,162 votes compared to Martin’s 3,199, which was roughly the same percentage of margin in the Obama and McCain presidential contest locally.
Another important race on the runoff ballot is for a seat on the Georgia Public Service Commission between Republican Lauren McDonald and Democrat Jim Powell. Powell received more votes than McDonald in the general election, but Libertarian Brandon Givens votes cost Powell from winning the election outright.
Locally, McDonald came out on top with 4,521 votes to Powell’s 3,608.
The third race on the run-off ballot is for a seat on the Georgia Court of Appeals. In the Nov. 4 general election, seven candidates were vying for the judgeship and it appears voters will have to choose from Atlanta lawyer Sara Doyle or Lawrenceville criminal defense attorney Mike Sheffield.
While Doyle was the statewide leader, locally, Sheffield received exactly one vote more than Doyle, 1765 to 1764.
Early voting could possibly begin later this week, but Mrs. Gainous said by Monday voters will be able to begin voting. Only voters who were registered and eligible to vote in last week’s general election will be permitted to vote in the Dec. 2 runoff.
For more information about the runoff call 229-377-1897.