"We didn't get a rush of people like we have in previous years," Kirk said. "I was hoping to see more people register this year, but it's a good number on average for a gubernatorial year."
Of the approximately 57,000 registered voters in Bartow County, of which more than 48,000 are considered active, 203 have taken advantage through Tuesday of early voting.
"We've had a steady turnout. It's been slow and steady. I don't think we've had a line even once," Kirk said, adding that his office has issued 131 absentee ballots and received 36 of those back.
Early voting continues; advanced
voting set for July 12
Through Friday, July 16, early voting will run Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., at the Bartow County Voter Registration Office, 105 North Bartow St., Cartersville.
The week before the primary, locals also will be able to vote at the Cartersville Civic Center, 435 W. Main St. Polls will be open there from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday, July 12, through Friday, July 16.
For those who are registered for the July 20 primary and wish to view a customized sample ballot, enter your name and birthday on the Secretary of State's website on the My Voter Page at http://www.sos.georgia.gov/MVP/Login.aspx.
Candidates and offices
Statewide offices to be filled in the November general election include U.S. Senator, the seat currently held by Sen. Johnny Isakson, who is running again. Isakson in the general election will vie against one of two Democrats, either R.J. Hadley, 41, of Conyers, or Michael "Mike" Thurmond, 57, of Decatur and current state commissioner of labor.
A number of candidates signed on in hopes of filling the post to be vacated by current Gov. Sonny Perdue. They are Republicans Jeff Chapman, 50, of Brunswick; Nathan Deal, 67, of Gainesville; Karen Handel, 48, of Alpharetta and former secretary of state; Eric Johnson, 56, of Atlanta; Ray McBerry, 42, of McDonough; John W. Oxendine, 48, of Norcross and current state commissioner of insurance; and Otis Putnam, 35, of Brunswick. Democrats running for governor are Thurbert Baker, 57, of Atlanta and current state attorney general; Roy E. Barnes, 62, of Marietta and former governor; Bill Bolton, 62, of Marietta; Carl Camon, 42, of Ray City; Randal Mangham, 55, of Decatur; DuBose Porter, 56, of Dublin; and David Poythress, 66, of Atlanta.
Current Lt. Gov. Casey Cagle, a Republican, is set to vie against one of two Democrats for the lieutenant governor, either Tricia Carpenter McCracken, 65, of Augusta, or Carol Porter, 51, of Atlanta. Porter is Democrat gubernatorial candidate DuBose Porter's wife.
For a complete list of candidates for Secretary of State, Attorney General, State School Superintendent, Commissioner of Insurance, Commissioner of Agriculture, Commissioner of Labor and Public Service Commission District 2, visit http://qual.sos.ga.gov/qualifyingindex.asp and click on Statewide Officers.
In local races, Republican Rick Jasperse, 53, of Jasper, will vie with Democrat Jerry Nally, 63 of Pine Log, for the District 12 state representative seat. For the District 14 state representative seat, one of three Republicans -- Greg Bowen, 52, of Adairsville; Christian Coomer, 35, of Cartersville; or Shep Helton, 39, of Cartersville -- will compete with one of two Democrats, either Dan Ledford, 47, of Euharlee, or Jessica Weaver-Stoll, 33, of Rome.
Incumbent Paul R. Battles, 62, of Cartersville, a Republican, is set to face Republican Hayden Collins, 45, of Cartersville, for the District 15 state representative seat.
One of two Republicans, Pete Bridges, 68, of Tallapoosa, or incumbent Bill Heath, 50, of Bremen, will compete with Democrat Tracy Gene Bennett, 47, of Cartersville, for the District 31 state senator seat. Two Republicans, Jeff Knight, 37, of Calhoun, and Barry Loudermilk, 46, of Cassville and a current state representative, are set to vie with Democrat Mike Burton, 66, of Cave Spring, for the District 52 state senator seat.
Three Bartow County School Board seats also are up for election and all the candidates are Republican. In Post I, incumbent Lamar Grizzle will face John Howard, while Post 2 board member Roger Maier will compete with Davis Nelson. Angie Cornett and David Palmer are seeking the Post 3 seat to be vacated by Matt Shultz.
Residents can still register to vote in general election
Although registration for primary election voting is closed, residents can register to vote in the Nov. 2 general election now through Oct. 4. Registration applications can be retrieved from http://sos.georgia.gov/elections/voter_registration/voter_reg_app.htm or Bartow County's election office, public library, public assistance office, schools and other government offices.
The applications should then be mailed back to the Secretary of State.