Some 500 ballots already cast

Election Superintendent and Registrar Norma Hodge said she initially thought voter turnout might be low in Tuesday's primary.

She's changed her mind and now estimates that approximately 32 percent of local voters will cast ballots.

Absentee voting has been strong in recent weeks. Coupled with last week's new early voting procedure, about 500 of Upson County's voters have already cast ballots.

"The number of people showing interest in the election has been wonderful so far," Hodge said Monday morning.

Polls open at 7 a.m. Tuesday and remain open until 7 p.m. Voters are required to bring identification to the polls - a driver's license, Social Security card or other valid ID.

Tuesday's voters will use the video voting machines implemented here over the past two years. Paper ballots are still used in the registrar's office for absentee and early voting. Hodge said many of the elderly citizens who take advantage of absentee voting do not want to use the machine. Paper ballots are also mailed upon request to those in the military, college students, residents of nursing homes and the disabled who cannot make it to the polls.

Hodge said the judicial and district attorney races seem to be a strong draw to local voters. While those vying for judge are listed on every ballot, the district attorney race is listed only on the republican ballot. Hodge said she's heard some comments from voters regarding ballot choice, but people seem to understand they must make the choice between republican and democratic ballots.