Polls open today

Published 12:03 am Tuesday, November 8, 2016

Voters across the nation go to the polls today to elect a new president and other officials, as well as in many places vote on ballot measures. Polls are open locally from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.

In Georgia, voters will choose from among Democrat Hillary Clinton, Libertarian Gary Johnson and Republican Donald Trump for president. Republicans have won Georgia in every presidential election since 1992, and Trump had the lead in polls going into today’s voting. But the margin was much closer than GOP candidates have been used to during the past 20 years.

Also in Georgia, incumbent Republican Johnny Isakson faces Democrat Jim Barksdale in the race for a U.S. Senate seat.

Georgia voters will also decide on four proposed amendments to the state Constitution. Amendment 1 has garnered the most attention. If approved, the amendment would allow the state to assume control of up to 20 “failing” schools each year, up to a total of 100 at any one time. Failing is defined as not meeting the state’s minimum College and Career Ready Performance Index (CCRPI) standards for three straight years. Such schools would be placed in a statewide “Opportunity School District.” Supporters say that would allow the state to turn around chronically failing schools. Opponents say it would reduce local control of schools.

There are no contested local races in Whitfield County.

In Murray County, voters living in the 11th District of the state House of Representatives will choose between incumbent Republican Rick Jasperse and Democrat Brandon Crisp. The race for Murray County Probate judge features incumbent Democrat Dale Adams and Republican John Waters.

Georgia requires voters to show photo identification when they vote in person. Approved forms of identification include any valid state or federal government-issued photo ID, including a free ID Card issued by a county registrar’s office or the Georgia Department of Driver Services; a Georgia driver’s license, even if it’s expired; a valid employee photo ID from any branch, department, agency or entity of the U.S. government, Georgia, or any county, municipality, board, authority or other entity of the state; a valid U.S. passport; a valid U.S. military photo ID; and a valid tribal photo ID.

Voters who aren’t sure where their voting precinct is can go to www.mvp.sos.ga.gov/MVP/mvp.do.