The voters are coming back to the polling booths in Polk County after a break due to the COVID-19 outbreak forcing a change in the election date to June, and a combination of the Presidential and state and local primaries in past months.

Monday marked the first day back to early voting, and Polk County’s total voter tally increased by 120 ballots cast to open up the three week period again.

Voters are heading to the polls to cast their decision in the Presidential primary – basically over but for vote counting after the last contestants in the Democratic field dropped out and left former Vice President Joe Biden to face President Donald Trump as the Republican nominee in the fall.

When voting paused in March due to the COVID-19 outbreak, Polk County had already had 980 voters come to the polls and cast and early vote.

The additional 120 voters have had opportunity to vote in the local and state primaries as well.

The ballot that will be decided on June 9 will in at least a few races decide who will take over seats in 2021 – incumbents or new challengers in local races. Those include the District 1 County Commission race between Scotty Tillery and James Vines, the District 2 race between Chuck Thaxton and Glenn Robinson, and the Probate Court Judge race between Tony Brazier and Bobby Brooks. (See the attached sample ballots below for all the candidates on the 2020 ballots in both parties’ primaries.)

Want to vote? Check out sos.ga.gov to find out whether you’re registered.

Currently, only the Board of Elections is allowing voters to come and cast an in-person ballot on new touchscreen systems for the 2020 ballot. The office is located in the County Administration building at 144 West Ave., Cedartown.

Absentee ballots are being encouraged and can be provided to voters by calling the Elections Office at 770-749-2103. They must be returned by the Primary Day on June 9.

There are COVID-19 social distancing restrictions are in place for voters, and the office is open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. through the end of this week, and the final week of May. Voters will also get a chance to vote on Saturday on May 30 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Board of Elections office.

Voting on June 1, June 3 and the final day on June 5 will have a 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. schedule. On June 2 and June 4, extended voting hours will be in effect and last until 7 p.m.

Social distancing requirements at the Board of Elections will limit the number of people allowed in line, to vote at one time, and within the County Administration building. Additionally, voters should expect to have to stay six feet apart from one another when they cast a ballot.

Rockmart residents will see their precinct open again for the final week of early primary voting, scheduled to be held at the Nathan Dean Community Center at 605 Goodyear Ave. from June 1 through June 4 from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m., and then 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Friday, June 5.

Here’s the Sample Ballots: