Macon County voters are turning out in unprecedented numbers to cast ballots in the early voting period.
As of Tuesday morning, Oct. 20, 5,283 Macon County voters had cast ballots during the early voting period. Early voting opened on Oct. 15 and ends Saturday, Oct. 31.
“It is very busy. I’ve never seen these type of numbers,” said Melanie Thibault, director of the Macon County Board of Elections. “Everyone is coming out to vote.”
The early-voting total includes 2,478 Republicans, 1,172 Democrats and 1,607 unaffiliated voters.
The flood of absentee ballots also continues, with 2,713 ballots returned as of Tuesday, Oct. 20. Democrats outnumber Republicans in absentee by mail voting, 1,163 to 717. A total of 825 unaffiliated voters have returned absentee ballots.
In terms of overall registrations, Republicans outnumber Democrats, 11,626 to 4,863, with 9,234 unaffiliated.
Early voting continues through Saturday, Oct. 31 at the Robert C. Carpenter Community Building at 1288 Georgia Road and at the Highlands Civic Center.
The hours at both sites are 8 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. Monday through Friday, and from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 24. Hours for Saturday, Oct. 31, the last day of early voting are 8 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Election Day is Tuesday, Nov. 3.