Hall County Elections

The chairman of the Hall County Democratic Party - referring to the election of Barack Obama as the country's 44th president - says it was an "exciting time" Tuesday night "as the election returns rolled in."

The race for the U.S. Senate seat now held by Republican Saxby Chambliss has tightened a bit since before dawn this morning.

By early afternoon, only a few minor problems had been reported to elections officials in Hall County - and most of them had been quickly resolved.

Thousands of north Georgians voted in the early hours of voting Tuesday, and voting remained steady through midday.

With a larger than usual voter turnout expected Tuesday, workers at the Hall County Elections Office are making sure they're ready for the rush.

The last legislative session ended amid gridlock between the Republican-held state House and Senate and infighting among GOP leaders. And enthusiasm surrounding Democrat Barack Obama's presidential campaign has led to a surge of new voter registration in Georgia. But, most political analysts say neither will be enough to help Democrats regain control of either of the two bodies.

While about a third of Georgia's registered voters went to the polls in early and advance voting, many more are expected to vote Election Day, which is Tuesday. Some in the Gainesville area will have a lot of local races and/or issues to choose from. But for others, the list is a short one.

It was a very busy start Friday in Gainesville for the final day of advance voting.

With Election Day less than a week away, Democratic U.S. Senate candidate Jim Martin urged Hall County voters to get out the vote Thursday at a rally in Gainesville.

While other county offices are closing Friday for a mandated unpaid furlough, the Hall County Elections Office will remain open for the final day of advance voting and to continue to prepare for next Tuesday's elections.