Thousands of Georgians cast their ballots on Monday as early voting got underway in the state.
More than 1,300 people cast their ballots in Cobb County, while 5,000 voted in Fulton County.
Special polling places in all the counties will let voters cast ballots until the Friday before Election Day. The idea is to make things more convenient for those who've already made up their mind, allowing them to avoid the long lines on Election Day.
Even with two debates still to come, some residents said they already knew how they wanted to vote.
"It wouldn't change my vote. I'm a business owner and I know what's at stake in this election…It's probably one of the most important elections that we're going to face in our lifetime," said Carol Brucker.
Voter Darrius Chism says he is taking advantage of the early voting because he can't wait to cast his ballot.
Amanda Singleton, a 19-year-old first-time voter, said the timing of the early voting start was perfect.
"I'm home for fall break from school, so I decided to vote early instead of absentee ballot," said Singleton.
Other voters, like Will Edmond, will wait for Election Day -- either still undecided or wanting to be part of the excitement of voting on Election Day itself.
Election workers said they weren't really surprised by the crowds. Early voting accounted for 15 percent of the total ballots cast in the 2000 President Election. That number doubled by 2008 to 30 percent. In Fulton County alone, an average of 3,300 people a day voted early in 2008.
Despite the convenience of early voting, one voter says it didn't save him any time during the last election.
"I did early voting, and it took me three tries because the lines were so long. Everybody wanted to do the same thing," said voter Corey Adams.
The Secretary of State's office says the first day of early voting went smoothly. The only issue was a two-hour delay in Sandy Springs because that location in Fulton County wasn't expecting such a large crowd.
Any registered voter can take advantage of early voting in Georgia. Voters need to make sure to have a government issued ID, like a passport or driver's license. Hours and locations for advance voting will vary from county-to-county. To find information for early voting and find your local election office, visit Georgia's Secretary of State Election Division website.
Wednesday, November 7 2012 7:31 AM EST2012-11-07 12:31:47 GMT
Some people predicted it could take many hours or days to decide who won the presidential election. It turned out to be much quicker.
Some people predicted it could take many hours or days to decide who won the presidential election. It turned out to be much quicker, with Mitt Romney conceding and President Obama giving a victory speech around 1 a.m. on Wednesday.
Tuesday, November 6 2012 9:07 PM EST2012-11-07 02:07:09 GMT
What happens in a local TV newsroom on Election Night? There's only one way to find out! Check out some photos from behind-the-scenes of Election Night 2012 at FOX 5.
What happens in a local TV newsroom on Election Night? There's only one way to find out! Check out some photos from behind-the-scenes of Election Night 2012 at FOX 5. You might see some familiar faces!
Tuesday, November 6 2012 9:39 AM EST2012-11-06 14:39:20 GMT
Voters are braving long lines and the weather to cast their ballots to determine the next president of the United States, and to decide on several local issues. Check out some of the pictures from around the metro area.
Voters are braving long lines and the weather to cast their ballots to determine the next president of the United States, and to decide on several local issues. Check out some of the pictures from around the metro area.
Tuesday, May 21 2013 4:04 PM EDT2013-05-21 20:04:30 GMT
A Douglasville family is asking for help to try to find their missing daughter. Jacqueline Bryant, 15, was last seen on April 12 and now she's the subject of a nationwide alert.
A Douglasville family is asking for help to try to find their missing daughter. Jacqueline Bryant, 15, was last seen on April 12 and now she's the subject of a nationwide alert.
Tuesday, May 21 2013 3:35 PM EDT2013-05-21 19:35:07 GMT
Tea party groups and Georgia Republican leaders are gathered at the state Capitol on Tuesday to protest the targeting of conservative groups by the Internal Revenue Service.
Tea party groups and Georgia Republican leaders are gathered at the state Capitol on Tuesday to protest the targeting of conservative groups by the Internal Revenue Service.
Tuesday, May 21 2013 2:33 PM EDT2013-05-21 18:33:55 GMT
Southern Baptists in metro Atlanta are doing their part to assist victims of Tuesday's violent twisters.
Southern Baptists in metro Atlanta are doing their part to assist victims of Tuesday's violent twisters.The North American Mission Board has volunteers on the ground in Oklahoma and more relief is on the
Tuesday, May 21 2013 2:27 PM EDT2013-05-21 18:27:44 GMT
Andrea Sneiderman was back in court Tuesday to be arraigned for a third time. She's accused of conspiring with her former boss, Hemy Neuman, to kill her husband, Rusty Sneiderman, in 2010. Rusty Sneiderman
Andrea Sneiderman was back in court Tuesday to be arraigned for a third time. She's accused of conspiring with her former boss, Hemy Neuman, to kill her husband, Rusty Sneiderman, in 2010.
Tuesday, May 21 2013 1:15 PM EDT2013-05-21 17:15:24 GMT
An NYPD detective is accused of hacking into department computers and obtaining information about dozens of people including co-workers. Edwin Vargas was arrested Tuesday outside his home in Bronxville.
An NYPD detective is accused of hacking into department computers and obtaining information about dozens of people including co-workers.
Tuesday, May 21 2013 12:39 PM EDT2013-05-21 16:39:13 GMT
The MTA says limited service will resume this afternoon on Metro-North and Amtrak trains between New York and New Haven.
The MTA says limited service will resume this afternoon on Metro-North and Amtrak trains between New York and New Haven. Beginning with the 3:07 p.m. departure from Grand Central Terminal, Metro-North will operate about half of the regular eastbound PM peak service and regular hourly westbound service with the 4:23 PM train from New Haven. Repair work on tracks that were damaged in last week's train collision has progressed quickly, says the MTA.
Tuesday, May 21 2013 7:33 AM EDT2013-05-21 11:33:20 GMT
A New Jersey priest who resigned after admitting he worked unsupervised with kids despite a legal agreement that barred him from doing so is headed to court.
A New Jersey priest who resigned after admitting he worked unsupervised with kids despite a legal agreement that barred him from doing so is headed to court.
Tuesday, May 21 2013 7:23 AM EDT2013-05-21 11:23:53 GMT
The New York jury on which Caroline Kennedy served has acquitted a man of dealing crack cocaine. Kennedy was juror No. 7 at the trial of Harlem resident Nelson Chatman.
The New York jury on which Caroline Kennedy served has acquitted a man of dealing crack cocaine. Kennedy was juror No. 7 at the trial of Harlem resident Nelson Chatman.
Tuesday, May 21 2013 6:51 AM EDT2013-05-21 10:51:26 GMT
The Metropolitan Opera says it's decided to disband its resident ballet company.
The Metropolitan Opera says it's decided to disband its resident ballet company. The American Guild of Musical Artists said the eight remaining dancers of the Metropolitan Opera Ballet have accepted buyout packages.
Residents line up on the first day of early voting in Cobb County on Monday, October 15, 2012.
