Polls will be open from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Tuesday to elect the country's next president.

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

Locally, voters in Dawsonville will also choose among five candidates vying for seats on the city council with the win going to the top two vote getters.

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

To ease the wait on Election Day, Ferguson suggests being familiar with the ballot prior to the vote.

"Sample ballots are available online," she said.

She also said it is a good idea to call the election office to verify voting status prior to the election, especially if you haven't voted in the past two General Elections.

Advance voting runs from 8 a.m.-5 p.m. through Friday at the Dawson County Board of Elections and Registration office on Academy Avenue.

As of Tuesday afternoon, more than 4,400 advance ballots had been cast.

The election is expected to cost the county nearly $25,000.

Ferguson said initial election results will begin coming in around 8 p.m. Tuesday night and will be available at www.dawsoncounty.org.

Results will also be available at dawsonnews.com.