This week marks the beginning of advance voting for Calhoun and Gordon County. Shea Hicks, Chairman for the Board of Elections and Voter Registration said that her office has had 321 voters come in since early voting started.

Advance voting began July 12 and will run through July 16. Early voting will also end July 16.

“That’s pretty good. In 2006, the last time we had an election like this, we had 499 to vote early,” Hicks said.

Those who want to cast their ballot before the July 20 election can do so at the voter registration office, located in the Court House Annex this week between 8:30 a.m. and 5 p.m.

Absentee ballots can also be picked up this week until 5 p.m. on Friday.

“This is a primary election, this is when each political party decides its nominee for the upcoming General Election. All voters must declare a party preference and you will receive a ballot with only that party’s candidates. Your party preference is not part of the secret ballot process,” said Hicks.

On Election Day, the polls will be open from 7 a.m. until 7 p.m.

All voters will be asked to show a picture ID. Acceptable forms of identification are a Georgia Drivers License, valid state or federal government issued ID, U.S. Passport, Valid employee photo ID from any branch, department, agency, or entity of the US Government, Georgia or any county, municipality, board, authority, or other entity of this state, valid military ID, or valid tribal ID.

Hicks also wants to encourage residents to visit My Voter Page, a website by the Georgia Secretary of State to answer questions voters have about precinct locations and even copies of their district specific ballots.