If today was any indication of how big the turnout is going to be for the 2020 election, the only word to describe it is “historic.” Elections officials put up a superhero effort for the first day of early voting in Georgia with a line already waiting to cast their ballot when polls opened this morning, and hundreds of people now making their choice in several races up for vote this year.

Polk County has two precincts open for early voting – one at the Nathan Dean Community Center in Rockmart at 605 Goodyear Ave., and the other at the Board of Elections office proper located at 144 West Ave., Cedartown. Elections Coordinator Brande Coggins said that in total 1,029 people came out during the opening day of voting. That is the most in recent memory of this reporter to turnout to the polls, including the 2016 Election.

Read more about who is on the ballot here.

Breaking down the pair of precincts, Cedartown saw 565 voters cast their ballot on the opening day, and Rockmart’s precinct had 463 voters visit the polls.

Early voting continues on Tuesday morning from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. at both locations, a schedule that continues through close of business on Friday and through October 19 through Oct. 23.

A Saturday voting day at both the Cedartown and Rockmart precincts will be available from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. on October 24, and extended hours until 7 p.m. will be available on Tuesday and Thursday, October 27 and October 29, during the final week of early voting. For those planning to early vote, be sure to have your driver’s license with you as proof of identification, or another form of Photo ID approved by the state, like a U.S. Passport. The final week of early voting’s other three days will hold a regular 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. schedule.

Absentee ballots can be requested from the Board of Elections office. Call 770-749-2103 for more information. People can track their ballot at www.mvp.sos.ga.gov or call the Board of Elections to request an update. Anyone who requests a ballot and decides they want to vote in person can surrender the ballot, and cast their vote early or at their precinct on November 3, but they should be aware than an additional process is involved with that option.

Note that trying to cast an absentee ballot by mailing it in before the deadline, then voting in person is illegal and is punishable by a felony charge that carries stiff penalties.

All absentee ballots must be returned before 7 p.m. on Tuesday, November 3 to be counted.