The Board of Elections remained busy on Tuesday as they reported another round of early voters coming to the polls ahead of the June 9 primary.

Polk County’s tally of voters in the Presidential and Local and State primary grew by another 128 people during the second day back on Tuesday, May 19. That brought the total to 1,228 votes cast.

When early voting paused in the Presidential Primary that was supposed to occur in late March, the figure stood at 980 people who had participated. That leaves 248 votes that have been cast in both sets of primaries after the vote for local and state office candidates for each party – and in some cases the only opportunity to select a candidate in local races – was pushed back from May to June 9.

The ballot that will be decided on June 9 will in at least a few races decide who will take over seats in 2021 – incumbents or new challengers in local races. Those include the District 1 County Commission race between Scotty Tillery and James Vines, the District 2 race between Chuck Thaxton and Glenn Robinson, and the Probate Court Judge race between Tony Brazier and Bobby Brooks.

Want to vote? Check out sos.ga.gov to find out whether you’re registered.

Currently, only the Board of Elections is allowing voters to come and cast an in-person ballot on new touchscreen systems for the 2020 ballot. The office is located in the County Administration building at 144 West Ave., Cedartown.

Absentee ballots are being encouraged and can be provided to voters by calling the Elections Office at 770-749-2103. They must be returned by the Primary Day on June 9.

There are COVID-19 social distancing restrictions are in place for voters, and the office is open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. through the end of this week, and the final week of May. Voters will also get a chance to vote on Saturday on May 30 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Board of Elections office.

Voting on June 1, June 3 and the final day on June 5 will have a 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. schedule. On June 2 and June 4, extended voting hours will be in effect and last until 7 p.m.

Social distancing requirements at the Board of Elections will limit the number of people allowed in line, to vote at one time, and within the County Administration building. Additionally, voters should expect to have to stay six feet apart from one another when they cast a ballot.

Rockmart residents will see their precinct open again for the final week of early primary voting, scheduled to be held at the Nathan Dean Community Center at 605 Goodyear Ave. from June 1 through June 4 from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m., and then 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Friday, June 5.