Election Day has arrived, 52% have already voted

Election day is upon us and we have just hours of annoying broadcast political ads left to endure.

Polling places throughout the county will be open from 7 a.m. – 7 p.m. today to serve voters. The lines there should be shorter than usual in that 52% of Lamar County’s registered voters took advantage of early voting and have already cast ballots.

Elections superintendent Anita Reid and her staff served 7808 in-person early voters over the past three weeks. Another 415 absentee ballots have also been cast.

The driving factor, of course, is the epic presidential battle between vice-president Kamala Harris, a Democrat, and Republican challenger, former president Donald Trump.

Republican Brian Jack and Democrat Maura Keller are battling for the Dist. 3 seat in the U.S. House of Representatives now held by Drew Ferguson who did not seek reelection.

Incumbent Republican Marty Harbin faces challenger Amili Blake in the Dist. 16 state house race.

Running unopposed are incumbents Rep. Beth Camp, Rep. Robert Dickey, district attorney Jonathan Adams, clerk of court Caleb Tyson, sheriff Brad White, coroner Clay Tillery, school board member James William Butler and conservation district supervisor Russ Walters.

Also running unopposed is Republican Amanda Gamez for tax commissioner. Incumbent Andrea Anthony did not seek reelection.

For realtime election results tonight, monitor barnesville.com.