New calls to extend advance voting in Ga.

ATLANTA - Local, state and federal lawmakers are calling for Gov. Perdue and Secretary of State Karen Handel to extend early voting through Monday, including the weekend, to give Georgia voters an opportunity to cast their ballots in a historic election that already has seen a record turnout.

U.S. Rep. John Lewis of Georgia was among the legislators gathered at the state Capitol Friday to protest early voting problems that have happened in metro Atlanta. Lewis called for federal intervention in the state to clear the way for extended hours, more voting machines and more poll workers.

Handel said earlier in the week that Georgia law will not allow weekend voting. The governor's office said Thursday any such change would have to be approved by the U.S. Justice Department because Georgia's voting rules and regulations come under the Voting Rights Act of 1965.

Georgia voters began voting Sept. 22. By early Friday, 1.77 million Georgians had cast ballots early, 31 percent of those eligible. Advance voting is scheduled to end at 7 p.m. Friday.