Early voting has started in parts of Cobb and Fulton counties ahead of the May 16 runoff to replace former state senator Judson Hill.
Democrat Christine Triebsch, a family and juvenile attorney, and Republican Kay Kirkpatrick, a retired orthopedic surgeon, are the two candidates on the ballot.
Both were the top two finishers from among eight candidates vying for Hill’s former state Senate District 32 in an April 18 election.
None of the eight candidates came close to the more than 50 percent mark needed to avoid a runoff. Triebsch, who received 24.2 percent of the vote, narrowly edged Kirkpatrick, who came in at 21.1 percent.
Hill, a Republican, resigned the seat to run for Congress. He came in fourth in the 6th Congressional District, missing a June 20 runoff.
How to vote early
State Senate District 32 includes portions of Cobb and Fulton counties. Registered voters must live within the district to be eligible to cast a ballot early.
Be aware that early voting locations are not your regular neighborhood polling places. The municipalities are only opening select sites during the early voting period.
Use the Secretary of State Office's online "my voter page" website (www.mvp.sos.ga.gov/MVP/mvp.do) to find a sample ballot or specific early voting location.
You can also call your local elections office to find early voting locations or look for the "advance voting info" link under the elections tab of the Secretary of State Office's website (www.sos.ga.gov).
Don’t forget to bring photo identification, which can include a Georgia driver’s license, even if it’s expired; a state-issued voter identification card; a valid U.S. passport; or a valid U.S. military photo ID.
No “ballot selfies” are allowed at the polls, so wait to snap a photo until you’re outside. It is illegal in Georgia to take pictures of a ballot or voting equipment, but the Secretary of State Office has said it has seen voters in previous elections post “ballot selfies” on social media — something that could get you in trouble with the law.
Information about local elections and your “My Voter Page” can also be found on the free “GA SOS” app for your smartphone via iTunes or Google Play for Android.
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