Heavy voter turnout expected as campagin nears end

They can continue to vote early Thursday and Friday from 9:00 to 7:00 at the Commerce Recreation Department office at Veterans Memorial Park on Carson Street, at the Jackson County Administrative Building in Jefferson and at the Braselton Municipal Complex.
Some officials believe turnout nationwide could set records.

The big draw is the presidential contest in which Arizona Senator John McCain and Illinois Senator Barack Obama are competing for the right to succeed George Bush, but there are contested local races on the ballot as well.

Tenth District Rep. Paul Broun, the Republican candidate, faces a challenge from Jackson County’s Bobby Saxon, a Democrat. While Broun is considered a strong favorite, Saxon last week claimed that a poll showed Broun’s lead down to a 10-point lead, and a heavier than usual Democratic turnout for Obama could make the race interesting.

Meanwhile, incumbent State Senator Ralph Hudgens, a Republican, will face Democrat Tim Riley in the 47th District race.

The race for U.S. Senate has tightened. Incumbent Saxby Chambliss faces a challenge from Democrat Jim Martin. That race, formerly virtually conceded to Chambliss, has narrowed to the point that the Democratic Party began funneling money to the Martin campaign.
Allen Buckley, a libertarian, is also on the ballot.

Lauren W. “Bubba” McDonald, formerly of Commerce, a Republican, is in a runoff with Democrat Jim Powell for a seat on the Public Service Commission. There is also a Libertarian candidate, Brandon Givens.

Amendments
There are three proposed amendments. Amendment 1 would create special tax classifications for some large tracts of forest, in essence, giving property tax breaks. Amendment 2 would allow school tax money to be used for tax allocation districts to finance redevelopment projects — with the approval of the school districts. Amendment 3 would allow the financing of private development projects through assessments of fees and the operation of private infrastructure projects, such as water and sewer systems, with those fees.

All polling precincts will be open from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. but early voting will continue through Friday, Oct. 31, from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m.