The past two days of early voting saw some slight slowdown in the numbers recorded, but overall the tally continues to climb as absentee ballots have been returned back in quick fashion as well ahead of the November 3 vote.

All together, the past two days have seen another 1,206 voters cast a ballot early between the two precincts in Cedartown and Rockmart.

On Tuesday, the turnout was 288 early votes cast at the Rockmart precinct at 605 Goodyear Ave., Rockmart, and 348 at the Cedartown precinct located at 144 West Ave., within the County Administration building.

Wednesday’s turnout was 250 at the Rockmart precinct, and 320 at the Cedartown precinct.

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Voters can go to either precinct to vote early while they are out for the remainder of the week and this Saturday, when early voting will be available at both locations.

All told, some 2,143 absentee ballots have been returned back to the Board of Elections, per Elections Coordinator Brande Coggins. They reported no additional issues at the polls since connectivity of air cards caused a problem at the Rockmart precinct on Monday while cell service was experiencing a problem countywide.

Polk County’s total number of early votes now sits at 6,322. That brings the overall total of ballots cast or returned back via the mail or secure drop box at the Board of Elections to 8,465. That makes 33% of the total number of registered voters who have now cast a ballot in the 2020 election locally.

Early voting continues at both locations from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. through the end of the week, and picks back up Saturday morning from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Both the Cedartown and Rockmart precincts will have extended hours until 7 p.m. 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. October 30 closes out early voting ahead of the November 3 election completely.

Social distancing guidelines are in place to keep people from bunching up together, and touchscreens are being cleaned by elections personnel between uses.

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.