The Bryan County Board of Elections Office is gearing up for the November 6, 2018 General Election. In addition to tending to the logistics surrounding the election – such as training poll workers, preparing machines and mailing absentee ballots – the board’s efforts also include making all county residents aware of important deadlines and information.

Those who would like to cast ballots in the Nov. 6 election must register no later than October 9, 2018 by going to the Secretary of State’s website at www.mvp.sos.ga.gov. Voters can also check their registration status on the Secretary of State’s site to ensure they encounter no surprises concerning eligibility on Election Day.

Once registration has wrapped up, Early Voting begins Oct. 15 and runs through Nov. 2. Advance voting sites will be available in Pembroke in the Commissioners Meeting Room (42 Courthouse Drive), in Richmond Hill in the Commissioners Meeting Room (66 Capt. Matthew Freeman Drive) and in Richmond Hill at the Wetlands Center in J.F. Gregory Park (600 Cedar St.). Advance voting runs from 8 a.m.-5 p.m. Oct. 15-Nov. 2 and from 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 27.

Those who are unable to vote early and can’t make it to the polls on Election Day can request an application for an absentee ballot from the Secretary of State's website, www.mvp.sos.ga.gov. Once this application has been received in the office, a ballot will be mailed to the requester, who can return it through the mail. Voters who choose this option need to request absentee ballots by Nov. 2.

“It’s so important that everyone knows and understands their options for voting in the Nov. 6 election. There are just a few important dates to remember and three methods for casting ballots, so we hope to increase voter turnout and participation by going over all that information now and being as transparent as possible,” said Elections Supervisor Cindy Reynolds. “Anyone with questions or residents who are uncertain about an aspect of the procedure should not wait to reach out for help. Everyone has a right to vote, but these are solid deadlines and there will be no exceptions.”

Voters can also access a sample ballot on the Secretary of State’s website, some of the key races that will be decided on include governor, lieutenant governor, secretary of state, state school superintendent, 1^st Congressional District U.S. representative, and 1^st District state senator. Depending on residence location, many Bryan County voters will also select county commissioners and board of education representatives. In addition, the ballot contains several constitutional amendments and statewide referendums regarding homestead and tax exemptions.

Reynolds urges all residents to go online and view their sample ballots ahead of time so when they step into the voting booth, they’re already done their research and are prepared to cast their votes.

For more information on the Nov. 6, 2018 election, Bryan County residents can visit www.bryancountyga.org/government/departments-a-g/elections/elections. The landing page, which is created specifically to inform voters about the upcoming election, contains important dates, polling locations, operation times and more. Reynolds also may be reached at [email protected] or 912-653-3859.