Dawson County ended the first week of early voting Oct. 19 with 2,328 people casting ballots  ahead of the Nov. 6 election- more than three times the amount of voters in the first week of early voting in 2014, the last midterm elections.

The week one total in 2014 was 725 voters, according to Glenda Ferguson, director of elections and registration.

Ferguson also reported that 455 people voted on the first day of early voting Oct. 15, compared to only 91 people casting ballots the first day of early voting in 2014.

The 2018 numbers do not count absentee ballots- as of Monday morning, 392 had been sent out and 237 accepted back, Ferguson said. 

Voter turnout this year is more on par with the general election in 2016, which drew only 159 more voters in the first week of early voting.

Ferguson’s numbers also show a large increase in the number of active registered voters, or those eligible to vote in the midterms.

In 2014 the number of active registered voters was 13,300 and 14,591 in 2016. Ferguson said the approximate number of active registered voters for 2018 is 18,284.

Ferguson said there have been no long waiting periods so far.

“We have had very little wait time,” Ferguson said in an email. “There has been a line of 15 or so people at a time, but it moves fairly quickly.”

Voters can visit My Voter Page at www.mvp.sos.ga.gov to check registration status, polling information and a sample ballot, but Ferguson said that if anyone has questions about their voter status to contact the local registrar office at (706) 344-3640.

“(My Voter Page) is an accurate source, but specific to how you are registered presently,” Ferguson said. “If you put in information and it shows ‘no voter found,’ it doesn’t necessarily mean you are not registered to vote.”

Early voting is held from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday now through Nov. 2, with Saturday voting from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Oct. 27.

All precincts will vote at the board of elections office for early voting. The office is located at 96 Academy Avenue in Dawsonville.

Election Day voting will be held from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Nov. 6 at designated precincts.

View the consolidated ballot here.