Early voting starts Mon.

Early voting for the July 31 General Primary Election begins next Monday, July 9. Voting will take place at the Jackson County Administrative Building, Athens Street, Jefferson, Monday through Friday through July 27. Voting is from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. In addition, early voting will take place on Saturday, July 21, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the County Administrative Building.
The county will again offer five days of early voting at locations in Commerce and Braselton.
Voting will take place Monday, July 23, through Friday, July 27, at the Commerce Recreation Department office at 204 Carson Street and at the Braselton police and municipal building at 5040 Hwy. 53. Hours at both locations will be 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
“Due to the anticipated turn out for this election, early voting is recommended to lessen your waiting time,” said Lori Wurtz, county election supervisor. “Also, a reminder that on Election Day between the hours of 9 and 4:30, any elderly voter (75 or older) or any voter who is disabled may request to come to the front of the line and vote at the next available voting booth.”
All voters must present one of six forms of photo identification. Options include:
•a Georgia driver’s license, even if expired
•any valid state or federal government issued photo ID, including one issued by the Department of Driver Services or the voter registrar
•a valid U.S. passport
•a valid employee photo ID from any branch, department, agency, or entity of the U.S. government, this state, or any county, municipality, board, authority or other entity of Georgia
•a valid U.S. military photo ID
•a valid tribal photo ID
The Secretary of State has mailed out new voter precinct cards following the recent redistricting updates that are in place for the July 31 General Primary.
“Please look at your card carefully and call our office immediately if you want to confirm the information or have questions about anything on your card,” Wurtz said.
PRECINCT CHANGES
Four of polling places were moved earlier this year. They include:
•Wilson (formerly in the Maysville Library) — Maysville United Methodist Church, 8482 Maysville Road Maysville.
•Redstone (formerly in the Redstone Volunteer Fire Dept.) — The Church at Southside. 100 Crooked Creek Road, Athens.
•N Jefferson (formerly in Jefferson Parks and Recreation Department) — Faith Baptist Church. 2081 Highway 129 North. Jefferson.
•S Jefferson (formerly in the Administrative Building) — Jefferson Civic Center, 65 Kissam Street, Jefferson.
ABSENTEE VOTING
For those who cannot vote in person, Absentee Voting by mail is available. Voters may request an application for an official absentee ballot by calling 706-367-6377, or you may log onto the Secretary of State’s website and print one. The address is http://www.sos.ga.gov/MVP.  Any voter registered in Georgia can vote absentee by mail. Just complete and sign the application. Then, mail, fax, email (as an attachment), or drop the application off at your county registrar’s office.
“We urge you to request your mail-in ballot and get it back to your county registrar’s office as soon as possible,” Wuirtz said.
Mail-in ballots can be requested no earlier than 180 days prior to the election and must be received by your county registrar no later than close of the polls on Election Day.
Those who request an official absentee ballot by mail are reminded to select the party of choice on their application and sign the application.
“Please sign your own application,” Wurtz said. “The signature will be verified by the signature we have on file for you. If it does not match, we will reject your application.