Early voting under way across Bryan

Election workers Flora Jane Carpenter, left, Betty Boyett, June Spence and Bobby Carpenter man the polls Tuesday at the County Administrative Complex, the early voting site for South Bryan. - photo by Photo by Lori Wynn

voting1 — Election workers Flora Jane Carpenter, left, Betty Boyett, June Spence and Bobby Carpenter man the polls Tuesday at the County Administrative Complex, the early voting site for South Bryan. - photo by Photo by Lori Wynn

Only about 60 voters across Bryan County have cast ballots so far in the July 20 primary election, but county voting officials say it’s too early to make predictions about voter turnout.

And the Bryan County News wants to know just what information voters would like to hear from the local candidates for the Bryan County Board of Commissioners and Board of Education. Read the "Get Involved" editorial in the Opinion section for more information about getting your thoughts to us, or click here.

Bryan County Voter Registrar Warren Miller said 20 people voted in the first day of early voting in the south end of the county. Meanwhile, he said 34 had made their primary picks by Monday afternoon in North Bryan since early voting began June 7 in Pembroke.

And though Miller said he thinks early voting turnout is usually a good indicator of what to expect on Election Day, he said it’s too early to tell what turnout will be like.

"There’s the local election and there’s a lot of people on the ballot, and you really haven’t seen a lot of campaigning yet," Miller said. "And we’re coming off the 2008 presidential election," which had record numbers of voter turnout across the country.

"But the poll workers are out there," he said. "We couldn’t do it without them."

The deadline to register to vote was Monday, but voters who are registered can cast ballots early at the Voter Registration Office at the courthouse in Pembroke or the new County Administrative Complex south of Richmond Hill.

Early voting takes place from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday at each location and ends Friday, July 16.

Local races

There are several local races and – barring a last-minute qualifier or write-in candidate – all will be decided in the July Republican primary.

To date, school board races include Paine Bacon facing Mindy Boyette for the District 1 seat which will be vacated by Mary Warnell, who is stepping down; incumbent chairman Eddie Warren is running unopposed; District 4 incumbent Joe Pecenka is runnng unopposed and David Schwartz is on the ballot for the District 5 seat being vacated by Judy Crosby, who is retiring.

Also up for grabs are three seats on the Bryan County Commission. Wade Price and Ted Akins face one another for the District 2 post held by Blondean Newman. Newman is stepping down.

In District 5, incumbent Rick Gardner faces challenger James Henderson, and in District 4 candidates Butch Broome and Chris Morse are running for the seat currently held by Toby Roberts. Roberts is stepping down after 20 years on the county commission.

Turn to page 4 to learn how specific questions to the local candidates.

Also, a number of state races also are on tap, including governor, lt. governor and state school superintendent.

Officials urge voters to check out the secretary of state’s new voter’s website at www.sos.ga.us/mvp. On that page, voters can find sample ballots, precinct information and more.

For more information, call Bryan County Voter Registrar Office at (912) 653-3859.