The Henry County Elections and Registration Office is gearing up for a busy election season.

  With the election rapidly approaching, here are some dates that you do not want to miss:

• Absentee ballots are sent out on Friday, September 18
• The last day to register to vote in the General Election and Special Election is on Monday, October 5
• Early voting begins on  Monday, October 12
• Early voting ends on Friday, October 30
• Election Day is on Tuesday, November 3

  Hunter Hatfield, Elections Coordinator with the Henry County Elections and Registration Office, stated that they are taking added measures to ensure a safe environment for the coming election season.

  “We are giving all of our workers masks and gloves that they are to wear the entire day. We are also supplying them with a lot of different cleaning supplies,” said Hatfield. “Voters will also notice that the machines are going to be spaced a little more apart. Basically, every precinct is going to be re-worked to allow, as much as we can, six foot social distancing.”

  To avoid large gatherings and long lines on Election Day, the Henry County Elections and Registration Office is advising that voters take advantage of early voting.

  “I highly recommend coming out to vote early,” he said. “I don’t want everybody to show up on the last day of early voting. If you show up on the last day, I can tell you, there’s probably going to be a line. But, the middle of the first week, historically, has been our slowest point.”

  Polling times for early voting should be finalized by the Henry County Board of Election at their scheduled meeting on Wednesday, September 2.

  Early voting locations include the Elections and Voter Registration Main Office, Merle Manders Conference Center, Fortson Library, Locust Grove Library, Fairview Recreation Center, and JP Mosley Recreation Center.

  For those that choose to vote absentee by mail, Hatfield stressed that voters not wait to mail back their absentee ballots once they are received.

  “If you are going to vote absentee by mail, I always recommend getting it in as soon as possible,” said Hatfield.

  Absentee ballot requests can be submitted now, but the absentee ballots themselves will not be mailed out until Friday, September 18. Absentee ballots must be filled out and returned by 7 p.m. on Tuesday, November 3.

  On another note, this year’s election is historic, in that it marks the 100th anniversary of the ratification  of the 19th amendment, granting women the right to vote.

  Hatfield stated that this year’s election is also historic in that a greater number of individuals have registered to vote.

  Currently, 178,523 people in Henry County are registered to vote, but Hatfield expects that number to increase as the October 5 voter registration cutoff date nears.

  “This year, historically, has been a crazy turnout,” said Hatfield. “Henry County’s voter roll in general has increased since 2016 to now, and this is going to increase even farther, it’s gone up 32 percent. By the time we get all the records processed that we have on the dashboard, we’re probably looking at a 40% increase by the time [of] November’s election.”

  Hatfield also anticipates an increase in voter turnout for the election in November.

  “I’m thinking about 85% of the registered voters will turnout and vote,” he said. “We’re anticipating about 140,000 voters on the high end for this election, but that’s between all three methods, absentee by mail, early voting and Election Day.”

  As the November 3 election date looms large, Hatfield stated the importance of  voters giving the Henry County Elections and Registration Office a call if they encounter any issues or have any concerns during election season.

  “If  you’re ever unsure about something, call the office,” said Hatfield. “If you ever think that there might be an issue, give us a call. We’ll look into it and figure out what’s going on about it. I would never recommend waiting until the last minute.”

  To check your voter registration status or to view your polling location, visit mvp.sos.ga.gov. For more information or to request an absentee ballot call 770-288-6448.

  The Henry County Elections and Registration Office is located at 40 Atlanta Street in McDonough.