Monday is the last day to register if you want to vote for either John McCain or Barack Obama to become the next President of the United States. On a local level, Pembroke residents can also decide if they want Republican incumbent Ed Bacon or newcomer Joe Kendrick to be their Bryan County Commission representative.

Other ballot items include Congressman Jack Kingston versus Bill Gillespie, U.S. Senator Saxby Chambliss versus Jim Martin and constitutional amendments to preserve Georgia’s forests and to authorize school districts to use tax money for community redevelopment.

"I think voting is the most important thing any citizen can do," said County Commission Chairman Jimmy Burnsed, who is running unopposed in this election. "With the economy in such an uproar, it is a crucial time to select who will lead this country and who will lead us out of this economic chaos."

Senator Eric Johnson, who is also running unopposed, also stressed the importance of voting.

"A healthy republic depends on a partnership between honest elected officials and engaged citizenry," Johnson said. "Our republic is only as healthy as the participation of its voters. Some may not like some of the choices and may not know who the best candidate is in some of the races, and they may resort to voting for the lesser of two evils or with their gut. Whatever the case may be, there’s no excuse for an adult in America not to vote."

There are currently around 19,000 registered voters in Bryan County, but that number is quickly rising. Miller also said the interest surrounding this election has caused a huge surge in the number of residents registering.

"We’ve been too busy processing everyone to get a count, so we don’t have an exact number yet," Miller said. "I talked to the Secretary of State’s office this morning, and they said to expect a lot more registration applications from them."

If you have not registered, you have several ways to do so

One popular way is to go online to the Secretary of State’s website at www.sos.georgia.gov. On Monday, you can vote in person by going to the registrar’s office in Pembroke, the Richmond Hill courthouse annex or both libraries, tag offices and city halls. If you decide to mail your registration form in, it must be post marked by Monday. For more information, you can call the registrar’s office on Monday at 653-3859.

Turnout in Bryan County is predicted at between 80 and 85 percent, and Elections Superintendent Sam Davis expects many residents will vote early in order to avoid waiting in line in November.

Residents can vote in person at the Bryan County Registrar’s office in Pembroke now through Oct. 31, Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. An early voting location at the Richmond Hill Courthouse annex will be open starting Oct. 20. All polling locations open on Election Day, which is Nov. 4.

Early voting started in Pembroke on Sept. 22. Bryan County Elections Registrar Warren Miller said just over 100 people have cast their votes so far, and he expects that number to drastically increase once the poll opens on the south end.