Early voting turnout could break records

ATLANTA — With one week to go before Election Day, numbers show Georgia could see a record turnout for early voters in a non-presidential year.

Channel 2 political reporter Lori Geary has been crunching the numbers and said as of Monday, there are already over 500,000 early voters.

Voters who turned out for early voting say they are frustrated by negative attack ads. They said two major issues are driving them to vote early.

“Education. I have a 9-year-old daughter and really it’s the most important thing right now.” said one voter.

Another voter said Georgia’s unemployment numbers are driving her to vote this year.

“Jobs. That’s is very concerning. The fact that Georgia is rated highest in unemployment right now. Very, very alarming,” said Wilma Strong.

Early voting ends Friday. With four more reporting days left, Geary says the number is likely to surpass 2010 levels.

Fulton County voters have cast the most early votes so far, followed by DeKalb, Cobb, Gwinnett and Henry counties.

“Democrats are really energized in a way they have not been recently in this state,” said Emory political science professor Merle Black.

Black said polls show the high profile U.S. Senate and governor races are too close to call, but he will be watching turnout numbers closely.

He said in order for Democrat Michelle Nunn to defeat Republican David Perdue in the senate race, she not only has to get a larger share of the white vote compared to Democrats in recent years, but she also needs a strong African-American turnout.

WSBTV