Voters can cast runoff ballots beginning Monday

Advance voting for the 10th Congressional District runoff election begins Monday.

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The sole item on the ballot is the runoff between Evans Republican and former state Sen. Jim Whitehead and Dr. Paul Broun, R-Athens, to fill the vacant congressional seat of the late U.S. Rep. Charlie Norwood.

In the June 19 special election, Whitehead tallied 23,555 votes, or 43.5 percent, while Broun narrowly edged Democrat James Marlow by 11,208 votes to 11,010 votes to enter the runoff.

Nancy Gay, a registration coordinator for the county, said turnout is expected to be low.

"It may be between 10 and 15 percent," she said.

All registered voters can cast their ballots early at the Columbia County Board of Elections office in Evans from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Thursday and until 6 p.m. Friday. Election day is July 17.

Absentee ballots can be cast from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday at the Board of Elections office, which has changed locations to Building E, in the Evans Government Center complex. A permitted reason is needed to vote absentee in person, but not to vote early during advance voting week. A written request for an absentee ballot to be mailed to the voter also can be submitted to the elections office.

Though turnout is expected to be low, Gay said all polling locations will be fully staffed on election day.

"All the polls will be open from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. on July 17," she said.

For more information about advance voting or the July 17 runoff election, call the Board of Elections at (706) 868-3355 or visit the county's Web site at www.columbiacountyga.gov.