Special to the Herald

Early voting has begun, and registered voters may cast their ballot any weekday or during two Saturdays now through Nov. 1. Early voting for Effingham County is located at the Elections office, 284 GA Hwy 119S in Springfield, from 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Be sure to bring a state-issued ID or drivers’ license with you to the polls.

Saturday voting is available Oct. 19 and Oct. 26, also at the Elections office on Hwy. 119 from 9 a.m.-5 p.m.

Early voting ends on Nov. 1. Do not go to the Elections office to vote on Nov. 5. You must go to your assigned polling location.

Absentee ballots may be requested until Oct. 25. Once they’re filled out, they can be mailed as long as they’re postmarked on or before Nov. 5. Absentee ballots may also be dropped off at your polling location on Election Day. Remember to sign the ballot and place the ballot in the plain envelope included with the outside envelope – and don’t forget to affix a first-class stamp if you are mailing it.

As of Oct. 11, the Effingham County Elections office has received 1,158 requests for an absentee ballot, according to the tally on its website. The elections office was closed Monday, Oct. 14 for Indigenous Peoples’ Day.

Polls open Election Day, Nov. 5, at 7 a.m. and close at 7 p.m. If you are in line to vote before 7 p.m., you will be allowed to cast your ballot. If you need to find out where your polling place is located, click on the GA My Voter Page, or call the Effingham Elections Office at 912-754-8030.