As Georgia voters head to the polls for the Senate runoff, many are impressed with the efficiency of the voting process and are prepared to put the runoff behind them.
Voters at the Hampton Park Library precinct in Forsyth County arrived in steady numbers throughout the morning and midday hours to cast their ballots for Democratic incumbent Sen. Raphael Warnock or Republican candidate Herschel Walker. Poll clerk Judith Morris reports between 500 and 600 voters had already cast their ballots by 2:00 p.m. Another spike in voter turnout is expected between 5:00 p.m. and 7:00 p.m. as the workday comes to a close. Officials say there was a large showing this morning, with voters lining up as early as 6:15 a.m.
“The voters come at seven. But there's usually a long line at about 6:15, and they wait because we can't bring them in until seven,” Morris said. “They're all working, and they want to get in first. But we had a nurse there this morning who had to be there by 7:30 at Northside Hospital. So we let her in first I gave her the number one.”
Morris had no issues to report on the voting process, stating that everything had gone smoothly thus far, other than the occasional voter turning up at the wrong precinct.
“There has not been any hitch,” Morris said. “The only thing is that because there's 28 precincts in Forsyth County, a lot of them come here for early voting, but then their own precinct they have to go. And so they come in and register, find out they can't vote here—they have to go to their own precinct.”
Morris said that out of the 500 to 600 voters they had seen at midday, approximately 20 to 25 of them were told they were in the wrong precinct. Several of those individuals were reported to have said they will “Take their chances,” and moved on with their day without casting a ballot.
Voter Aaron Anglin said the voting experience was very easy and efficient, praising the poll manager and volunteers at the Hampton Park Library location.
“They were very helpful, very nice,” Anglin said. “It doesn’t matter which party you're voting for, as long as you treat each other with respect and kindness, I mean, they're always good here. This is our district that we come to vote, because we live about 10 minutes from here. They’ve always been good. The past few times I came to vote, they’ve always been good, smooth and steady.”
While many voters were pleased with the ballot-casting process, they were less satisfied that another runoff is occurring. Most voters rolled their eyes and simply stated that “It is what it is,” going on to say they will do what needs to be done, but hope it does not come to this again in the future.
Cameron, a voter in Forsyth County, said he is just glad to be free from all the advertising and publicity sent his way about the two Senate candidates.
“I’m just sick and tired of seeing all the ads—constantly,” Cameron said. “That's everything you see and hear, is about the runoff. So I think it would be better if they just go with the highest percentage, you know, the first time but maybe that's just my opinion.”
Poll manager Lynn Dotson, who runs the voting process on Keith Bridge Road in Forsyth County, said voter turnout was steady throughout the day. By midday, her location had seen roughly 550 voters, with another spike expected at the day’s end.
Voting in the Senate runoff election between Herschel Walker and incumbent Sen. Raphael Warnock will take place until 7:00 p.m. this evening.
