Election season 2020 will go down in history in Gilmer County as one of the busiest ones in history.
It began with delayed primaries and is ending with a recount in the presidential race which followed an audit and hand recount which will be followed by a runoff for the two U.S. Senate seats in Georgia.
As of Monday afternoon, Nov. 30, Gilmer County’s election office was in full swing of the presidential recount.
“I am hoping we are finished by noon tomorrow,” said Gilmer County Chief Registrar Tammy Watkins. “If everything goes as planned.”
The morning started with some technical difficulties before the counting could get going. Once those were solved, batches of 50 ballots at time were run through the machine for tabulation.
Less people were needed for the recount since it is less labor intensive than the hand recount earlier this month.
What takes the longest in the process is the paperwork for each grouping of ballots, Watkins said.
Poll watchers from both parties are present during the recount.
When the recount is finished, the office will pivot to preparing for the runoff election which will be held Tuesday, Jan. 5.
The last day to register to vote in the runoff is Monday, Dec. 7.
Absentee mail-in ballots should be requested before Dec. 31.
Early voting is scheduled for Dec. 14 - 18, 21 -23 and 28 - 31 from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. each day.