7:00 p.m. update
Heavy traffic outside the single polling location in Lumpkin County was not indicative of the traffic inside the building. Traffic was backed up almost a mile in all directions from the Lumpkin County Parks and Recreation building around 3:30 p.m. Tuesday afternoon. Drivers had difficulty finding an empty parking space once they arrived to a full parking lot.
Despite the steady stream of voters throughout the day, voting lines moved smoothly and without issues. Plenty of polling booths meant that there were no lines and voters were in and out with ease.
Early morning voters told AccessWDUN that lines were smooth then, as well. One voter said that around 8:15 a.m., traffic was light and lines inside were non-existent making voting a quick and easy process.
In Lumpkin County there were two voting locations. The general election was held in the main building, while the county specific T-Splost vote was held in the gym.
4:00 p.m. update
The Olde Atlanta Club precinct in Forsyth County has seen a steady flow of voters throughout the day. According to poll manager Pam Livesay, about 500 ballots have been cast as of 1 o'clock p.m.
"We started out with 68 who were waiting in the morning," Livestock said. "I call it ebbs and flows. It's a little bit later than lunchtime and you can see now it's starting to get busier and I figure through the afternoon."
Livestock has been the poll manager at the Olde Atlanta Clubhouse since 2016, and she said the location has become more popular.
"I say we're one of the smaller precincts but now we're not," Livesay said. "We're about the same as all the ones if you go back up Olde Atlanta [Road]. You're gonna go by the Bethany Church, that's one, and you're gonna go [to] Windermere and then Sharon Springs, so it's a whole bunch as you go back."
One young voter, Parker Ishigami, said he was not planning on voting until he saw all the political signs speckled across the neighborhood.
"I wasn't planning on voting until like, my friends walked in," Ishigami said.
It was Ishigami's first time voting.
2:00 p.m. update
Voters are still steadily coming to the polls at the Gainesville one precinct at the First Baptist Church on Green Street.
Katie Denning, the manager of the Gainesville one precinct, said when they first opened there was a good rush.
"The poll workers are all ready to go and they're doing a phenomenal job. So it's been just an awesome day," Denning said.
It will be hard to tell if there will be a rush after work hours due to the high turnout during early voting, however, Denning encouraged everyone to come out and vote.
1:00 p.m. update
First Baptist of Flowery Branch recieved a steady turnout of voters with more lining up in the parking lot.
As of 12:45 p.m. 454 individuals cast their ballot so far with time running out before the 7 p.m. Election Day deadline.
Poll Manager, Harley Jones said that 10-12 people voted for the first time and he appreciates everybody for coming out.
11:30 a.m. update
Despite high and, in some places, record early voting numbers, voters continue to make their ways to the polls for Election Day balloting.
In Lula, where a City Council District 1 Special Election coincides with other elections, the parking lot of First Baptist Church of Lula was seeing a steady stream of cars Tuesday morning.
Tony Cornett and Mike Henton are vying for that seat to represent 584 residents, while Duanne "Chip" Horst is running unopposed for District 5, which represents 535 residents.
Original story published 9:57 a.m.
Polls are open in Georgia and around the country as the pivotal midterms Election Day gets started.
In Georgia, where record numbers of voters are expected at the polls, there are two key races. Incumbent Brian Kemp is being challenged by Democrat Stacey Abrams. Most polls show him with a 6- to 8-pont lead.
Then there's the U.S. Senate race that many believe will decide the balance of power in that chamber. Democratic incumbent Raphael Warnock and Republican challenger Herschel Walker are deadlocked, according to most polls. Libertarian Chase Oliver may get enough votes to send this race to a runoff in December.
Also on the ballot are statewide races for Georgia's constitutional officers, such as lieutenant governor, attorney general and secretary of state, among others. All 14 of Georgia's seats in Congress are being challenged. And locally, races for the state legislature, county commissioners and school board populate the ballots.
When polls opened this morning, some precincts around the state reported voters were standing in line. In Hall County, only 42 people had voted by 9 a.m. at the precinct at Lakewood Baptist Church. Poll workers there said the morning had been slow but steady.
About 33 percent of Hall County's registered voters have already cast ballots through early, in-person voting.
