Early voting starts for Senate runoff, other contests

A U.S. Senate runoff apparently was enough to bring early voters to the polls on Monday, the first day most metro Atlanta counties opened offices for early voting. Elections officials across the region reported steady voting — and, in some places, lines.

The Gwinnett County elections office said 1,440 people cast ballots Monday. Elections Director Lynn Ledford credited the turnout to interest in the race between Sen. Saxby Chambliss, a Republican from Moultrie, and Democratic challenger Jim Martin of Atlanta.

She also thinks people may have a renewed interest in voting following the general election earlier this month.

“I keep telling people that voting is so important,” she said. “To be good stewards of our tax money, you should turn out and vote.”

Voters in Cobb County apparently felt the same way. Elections officials reported a 45-minute wait around lunchtime and later in the day, said Robert Quigley, the county’s director of communications.

“We keep slugging forward,” he said.

Lines formed in DeKalb County, too, where about 1,500 people voted Monday at the county’s Voter Registration & Elections Office on Memorial Drive.

Voter Eddie Williams said he appreciated the chance to cast an early ballot.

“I’m voting to help make a change in the country,” said Williams, 62, a retired business executive. He waited about 10 minutes to vote against some “scoundrels in public office,” he said.

“This is my chance to help right the ship,” Williams said.

About 300 Forsyth voters had cast early ballots by noon Monday, said Elections Supervisor Gary Smith.

“Actually, that is a little more than I expected,” said Smith. “I was a little surprised.”

Voting in Clayton County, officials said, was steady, with no lines.