Early voting for Bulloch County began Tuesday morning at the Russell Union Ballroom.

Early voting is a process in which voters may vote prior to the scheduled election day. Early voting around the country began Oct. 15 and will end on election day, Nov. 6.

Those who wish to vote early will need to bring their government-issued ID and allow a minimum of 30 minutes to complete the process.

Students who are not registered in Bulloch County and cannot travel to their home counties can fill out an absentee ballot, said Bulloch County Election Supervisor Pat Jones.

An absentee ballot is a vote cast by someone who is unable to attend the official polling station where voting is normally allocated. Voters will need to be registered to vote prior to filling out an absentee ballot.

Jones said that voting early helps those who cannot be present at their county voter precinct prior to election day.

“A lot of people prefer not to stand in lines,” Jones said. “It helps the precinct not have so many people show up that day. It helps the kids on campus who are registered here who can’t feasibly get to their precinct.”

Students cast their ballot

Dozens of students, staff and Bulloch County citizens visited the early voting table at the Russell Union on Tuesday.

Will O’Reilly, freshman chemical engineering major, said he decided to vote early to simply get it out of the way.

“In general, it’s important to vote in elections,” O’Reilly said. “I know we can choose the appropriate people for Congress.”

Summer Bartz, sophomore chemistry major, said voting in general is the right of the people.

“This is the one time your voice is actually heard,” Bartz said. “Other times they say it matters but it doesn’t. Let’s face it. This is one way to tell them how you feel.”

Early voting will be available on GS’ Statesboro campus until Thursday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Shiann Sivell, The George-Anne Enterprise Reporter, gaspecial@georgiasouthern.edu