Advance voting is under way for the Nov. 6 General Election.

The ballot includes the presidential race between President Barack Obama and Republican challenger Mitt Romney, congressional races and a referendum on charter schools in Georgia.

In addition, voters who live in Dawsonville will decide two races for city council. Five candidates are in the hunt, with the seats going to the top two vote-getters.

The city ballot will be separate from the general election ballot.

Advance voting runs from 8 a.m.-5 p.m. Monday through Friday through Nov. 2, with voting also on Oct. 27, a Saturday, at the Dawson County Board of Elections and Registration office on Academy Avenue.

This year, Saturday voting takes place during the 45th Annual Mountain Moonshine Festival.

During the festival, several roads in the downtown area will be closed.

Those wanting to vote Saturday are encouraged to use Maple Street to access Academy Avenue.

Howard Avenue, which connects to Maple Street via West 2nd Street, will also be open to traffic.
Election Supervisor Glenda Ferguson said there will be detour signs directing traffic to the elections office.

"We will be here from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.," she said. "The parking lot will be roped off for voting parking only and will have parking attendees, both poll worker and deputy assistance."

Based on the 2008 presidential election, which saw a 76 percent voter turnout, Ferguson estimates 78 percent of Dawson County's 13,158 active registered voters will participate in the election.

As of Tuesday afternoon, more than 240 ballots had been cast. The election is expected to cost the county nearly $25,000 to conduct.