The polls are open in Dawson County for Election Day 2016, and workers are already anticipating one of the biggest voter turnouts the county has ever seen.

The polls opened at 7 a.m. this morning.

"In 2012 we had a countywide voter turnout of 77.6 percent- this year I'm projecting it will be 79 to 80 percent," said Glenda Ferguson, Dawson County Board of Elections chairwoman and election supervisor.

On Election Day in 2012, 3,663 residents early voted, with a grand total of 10,277 Dawsonville citizens casting ballots that year.

In 2008, a total of 10,001 of Dawsonville's registered voters cast ballots.

This year the total number of registered voters in Dawsonville is 14,591. Ferguson said that 8,258 votes were cast in early voting, which ended Friday.

Voters in Dawson County are deciding the next president, as well as the county's new District 2 commissioner. Chris Gaines and Robert Wiley are vying for the seat currently held by James Swafford, who chose not to seek reelection.

The polls will close at 7 p.m.

Check back tonight at dawsonnews.com for updates and election results, and see the Nov. 16 edition of the Dawson County News complete coverage.