Area residents like convenience of early voting

Published 1:43 am Sunday, October 3, 2010

Early voting got off to a strong start in Whitfield County, according to officials with the county’s elections office, but it has since slowed to a trickle.

More than 30 people voted on Sept. 17, the first day of early voting, but by noon on Sept. 29 just 214 people had voted. Early voting ends on Oct. 29 in advance of the Nov. 2 general election.

“It’s still early. I think a lot of people are still trying to find out more about the issues and the candidates,” said Pamila Whitfield, 55, of Rocky Face who voted on Sept. 29. “I worry about missing something by voting this early, I really do.”

Whitfield said she was only voting so early because she was about to be hospitalized and worried she wouldn’t have another chance before the election. She did not want to say who she was supporting, but there are few contested local races left in the Dalton area and the state races are the main ones on the ballot.

“I try to vote in every election, and I usually do vote early. I think it’s great that we are able to vote early. But I usually do it closer to the election,” she said. “I think things will pick up in the week or two before the election.”

Martha McMahon, 78, and Harold McMahon, 83, of Dalton, said they also appreciate the convenience of early voting. Neither would say who they voted for.

“I have a hip problem, and it’s difficult for me to stand in line,” said Martha McMahon.

“We try to vote in every election. I come with her, and it’s great that we do have such a long time to vote because it makes it easier to fit into your schedule,” said Harold McMahon.

But the McMahons said they aren’t very worried that something might happen before Election Day that would cause them to change their minds about how they vote.

“I know who I want to vote for. I think I’ve studied them enough and know enough about them,” Martha McMahon said.

Still, they said they weren’t surprised that so few people have voted.

“It’s still early. Because there is so much time, I don’t think people feel a lot of pressure to vote so far. I expect it will pick up in the last week or two before the election,” said Harold McMahon.