Early voting for the 2024 Presidential Election started in Georgia on Oct. 15 and continues until Nov. 1. As of now, Georgia has surpassed four million votes.

“I am not surprised by the early voting numbers in Georgia due to the robust turnout we have seen in recent elections, and the popularity and convenience of early voting,” said Claire Sanders, a senior lecturer of political science. “In addition, Georgia is now a battleground state with strong party competition, which increases voter interest and voter engagement.”

In Baldwin County, 8,659 people have voted so far in the 2024 general election, which represents 29.7% of registered voters, according to the Georgia Votes website.

“I voted early last week, and since moving to Georgia, I have made a point always to vote early to avoid the risk of something preventing me from making it to the polls on Election Day,” said Kevin Spann, a lecturer of political science. “As someone from a state, Alabama, with no in-person early voting and strict vote-by-mail regulations, I advise Georgia citizens to take advantage of such generous early voting policies.”

Early voting has been on the rise since the early 1900s. When the United States was founded, voting was held over several days, giving people options on when to vote and what was convenient for them. Election Day itself is Nov. 5 and is the last day that Americans can cast their ballots in person.

Some are skeptical of the legitimacy of  early voting, arguing that it is a way to get votes rigged, as they are not all cast at one time in a monitored place. With early voting, there can be a risk of losing ballots and miscounting. Early voting was first allowed in _____, but the avenue was taken away in 1845, due to these fears of authenticity, but the practice returned during the Civil War. Soldiers voted absentee and sent in their ballots while they were away. 

Convenience is still a priority amongst voters, with more people early voting in-person and absentee ballots in recent years. 

“Regarding the importance of voting, the old political adage ‘If you’re not at the table, you’re probably on the menu’, always comes to mind,” Spann said. “From tax policy to social issues, elections have consequences, and if students want to have influence over the direction of the nation, there are few states where their vote could be more impactful than Georgia.”

Many GCSU students voted early, whether it was in Baldwin County or their respective home counties. Derek Kim, a junior political science, philosophy and liberal studies major, expresses the importance of voting.

“It’s important to exercise your right to be heard,” Kim said. “You can have your disputes with the party system or the democratic process, but at the end of the day, your vote is still counted, and no matter the results, it is the self-advocation for your personal platform that matters the most.”

Three questions asked on the Georgia ballot have received some backlash in the way they were worded. Some voters say that the wording is complicated and intentionally formatted to keep voters from being fully engaged in the decision-making process. Others say that voters just ought to research ballots and be prepared to encounter complicated wording. 

These three questions are in the sections Proposed Constitutional Amendments and Statewide Referendum Question. The first question is about Homestead exemption, the second is about a state tax court and the third is about a personal property tax exemption. 

“It took a decent amount of research for me to understand what the questions actually asked,” Kim said. “In my opinion, it shouldn’t be expected that every voter does their due diligence. I do not believe the wording needs changing, but rather the awareness of what the questions are actually proposing.”

The last day to vote for residents of Baldwin County is Oct. 29 from 8:30 a.m. – 5 p.m.. Residents can early vote at the Registration and Elections office on Monday- Friday from 8:30 a.m. – 5 p.m. and Saturday from 9 a.m. – 4 p.m.. 

Residents can go to baldwincountyga.com or My Voter Page to learn more about voting in Baldwin County.