Early voting will end Friday, July 27 at 5 p.m. and polls will not reopen again until July 31, 2012. As of Monday, July 23, only 1,232 Gordon County residents have completed early voting.

According to Gordon County Board of Elections Director Shea Hicks, only 104 voters turned out to take advantage of the Saturday voting offered in Gordon County.

For those who don’t vote early may be in for a shock at the polls on July 31, where Hicks says she hopes will bring about a 40 percent turnout. “We would love for more people to take advantage of early voting,” said Hicks.

Early voting is available from 8:30 a.m. until 5 p.m. at the Gordon County Board of Elections located at 101 S. Piedmont Street in Calhoun.

Voters are encouraged to vote early, as polls will not be open Monday, July 30. Polls will open on Election Day, Tuesday, July 31, at 7 a.m. and will remain open until 7 p.m.

“To find out where to go to vote on election day or to view a copy of your sample ballot you can go to “My Voter Page” at www.sos.ga.gov/mvp.

Each voter is assigned a precint where he or she is assigned to cast their ballot, and according to Hicks, several Gordon County precincts have been relocated for the July 31 Primary election.

“1063 Pine Chapel/Nicklesville Fire Department has been moved to the Coosawattee Masonic Lodge #306 F&AM, located at 633 West Pine Chapel Church RD NE, Calhoun, GA 30701. 1064 Oostanaula/Oostanaula Fire Department has been moved to the Oostanaula Community Club, located at 1592 Oostanaula Bend Rd SW, Calhoun, GA 30701,” said Hicks.

Additionally, voters are reminded that this election will require voters to declare a party preference at which time, voters will receive that party’s ballot of nominees.

“You can choose to receive a democratic ballot, republican ballot or a nonpartisan ballot. The nonpartisan ballot will NOT have the democratic or republican candidates on the nonpartisan ballot, the nonpartisan ballot only has nonpartisan candidates on the ballot and the special election on the ballot. If you choose the democratic or republican ballot you will also have the nonpartisan election and special election on the ballot,” said Hicks.

Additionally, Hicks reminds voters that the last day to request and absentee ballot by mail is Friday, July 27. Please remember in order for your ballot to be counted that we must receive your ballot in the mail by election day or you can physically turn your ballot into the elections office on election day from 7 a.m. until 7 p.m.

“If you would like to request an absentee ballot by mail please contact the Gordon County Board of Elections Office at 706-629-7781 for more information,” said Hicks.