Parties will hold candidate forums, debate

The Georgia primary election is just one month away, but the deadline to register to vote in that election hits Monday.

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Registration for the July 15 primary ends at 5 p.m.

Nancy Gay, the voter registration coordinator for the Columbia County Board of Elections, said a month is needed to prepare registrations before the election.

"It can take us up to two weeks after the deadline to get everything keyed in," she said. "And you have to allow ample time for the precinct card to get to the voter so they know the voting location."

Those who miss the Monday deadline can register for the general election in November until Oct. 6.

Gay warned that some who recently registered to vote might need to confirm the registration.

"If an individual has updated their registration or registered to vote ... when getting their driver's license and have not received a precinct card, they need to confirm their registration with us prior to the election."

Also, absentee ballots for the primary recently became available through the Board of Elections office.

Potential voters may register through Georgia Secretary of State's Web site, www.sos.georgia.gov; through Columbia County's Web site, www.columbiacountyga.gov; at the Board of Elections office, 500 Faircloth Drive, Building E, Evans; city halls; and public libraries.

For information, call the Columbia County Board of Elections at (706) 868-3355.

Also on Monday, the Columbia County Republican Party will play host to a forum of candidates at 7 p.m. in the auditorium of the Evans Government Complex, 630 Ronald Reagan Drive, Evans. Many area candidates are expected to attend.

A 10th Congressional District debate will be held Saturday at the Columbia County Library in the Jabez S. Hardin Performing Arts Center.

It, too, will be held by the county's Republican Party.

The Democratic Party of Columbia County will hold its candidate forum July 7 in the auditorium of the government complex.