Early voting for Richmond Hill’s Sept. 16 refrendum on Sunday sales of liquor-by-the-drink begins Monday and continues through Friday,
But Hurricane Ike may play a role.
Ike was a Category 3 storm Friday afternoon, when some early projections had it making landfall in Florida by Sept. 10 and possibly putting Bryan County north of the hurricane.
That could impact either early voting or the special election day, depending on what Ike does.
"That storm really concerns us," said Probate Court Judge and Elections Superintendent Sam Davis. "We just have to make a day by day decision. The worst case scenario is we may have to postpone (the election). Right now we’re just holding our breath. I’ve been in touch with the Secretary of State’s office and together we’ll make a decision. We’re going to try to make sure it goes off, but we just don’t know what’s going to happen at this time."
Early voting is scheduled to begin at 8 a.m. Monday at the Wetlands Center at J.F. Gregory Park. If approved, the measure will allow the sale of alcoholic drinks on Sundays at restaurants in Richmond Hill.
Absentee voting
Election officials also are gearing up for a record number of absentee voters in the presidential elections in November, thanks in part to changes to Georgia state voting regulations.For the first time, voters will no longer be required to present an excuse in order to obtain an absentee ballot, or to vote early. There are nearly 19,000 registered voters in Bryan County.
Advance voting will begin 45 days ahead of the Nov. 4 general election. Residents can vote in person at the Pembroke courthouse beginning Sept. 22 until Oct. 31, Monday through Friday, 8 a.m.-5 p.m.
A location in Richmond Hill will open for advance voting in person 10 days before the election. Residents can also request that an absentee ballot be mailed to them beginning Sept. 22.
Davis said that Bryan County has a history of high voter turnout, which he expects to grow this year.
"Four years ago, we had about 75 percent voter turnout. This year, we’re expecting around 85 percent turnout in Bryan County, compared with 80 percent statewide," he said.
Many voters are expected to take advantage of the eased requirements to avoid long election day lines.
"It’s just more convenient," he said. "Even if you wait until a few days before the election, it will still be not nearly as long as on election day."
The candidates themselves may also encourage absentee voting as a means of increasing voter turnout. In the past, candidates have sent pre-addressed postcards to voters urging them to avoid the hassle of election day crowds by voting early or requesting absentee ballots.
"We have no way of knowing whether that will happen again this year," Davis said. "But we have to be prepared."
The county has ordered 9,500 absentee and paper ballots, at a cost of $6,000. Davis estimates that total costs, including expenses such as voting machines and election workers, could reach as high as $30,000.
"Whatever it takes, we want to do it right," he said.