Early Bird Gets the Votes

Early voting began yesterday in Chattooga County with a record turnout, bringing 46 voters to poll. Following a pattern of history, 65% of the early bird voters selected a democratic ballot. Republican voters will need to be specific when selecting their primary ballot due to a portion of the southern part of Chattooga County falling into the 52^nd District where incumbent State Senator, Chuck Hufstetler is currently running unopposed. Voter precincts within the 52^nd District include Coldwater, Lyerly, and Seminole. All other Chattooga County precincts fall within the 53^rd District where incumbent State Senator, Jeff Mullis, is challenged by former Trion Mayor, Lanny Thomas.

Along with choosing primary candidates, party voters will be asked a few additional ballot measure questions.

Democratic Party Question:

1. Should Georgia invest less than 1% of its annual budget to provide healthcare to 500,000 low-income citizens and military veterans by expanding Medicaid? Yes or No
2. Should Georgia guarantee paid family leave to include pregnancy, serious illness care of a family member with a serious health condition, or care for a newborn, newly-adopted child or newly-placed foster child? Yes or No
3. Should private property on rivers and streams be protected by natural vegetative buffers to ensure that Georgia’s waters are swimmable, drinkable, and fishable? Yes or No
4. Should Georgia automatically register to vote all legal and permanent residents upon insurance of a driver’s license or state-issued ID which includes an opt-out provision? Yes or No

Republican Party Question:

1. Should Georgia empower parents with the right to use the tax dollars allocated for the education of children, allowing them the freedom to choose among public, virtual, and home school? Yes or No

Primary voting will continue through May 24^th with the general election coming this Fall on November 8^th, 2016.