The line formed before dawn at the Elections Main Office at 736 Whitlock Ave. as voters waited to be amongst the first to cast their ballot when the polls opened at 7 a.m. today for in-person advance voting. Even as the line wrapped around the parking lot, where hundreds were waiting and parking was tight, folks seemed excited to be there. Some brought their own chairs in anticipation of the long wait. Wait times were being reported at all 11 advance voting locations. 

The mood was calm as poll workers wearing bright yellow vests directed people where to go. As she exited the polls, voter Diane Skinner said the process was easy and everyone was extremely courteous. She said she waited a little less than 2 hours.

Myron Massey arrived at 6:30 a.m. thinking he’d beat the crowds only to find more than 200 people already lined up ahead of him. He said he'd heard some voters had been there since 4:30 this morning.

“This is my chance to voice my opinion for who I think should be in leadership for our country,” Massey said.

Three generations from one family waited together as Erma Taylor, daughter Charrise Smith and granddaughter Athena Smith stood online eagerly willing to.

“My daughter drove back from Valdosta State just so she could come and vote with myself and my mother,” Smith said. “This is her first time voting and we wanted to be together.”

“I am honored and blessed to be voting with my daughter and granddaughter,” Taylor said.

The Sheffields, who are now 85, said they have been voting since they were 18. “This election is so much more important than any election we’ve ever had,” said Mrs. Sheffield.

Click here to review wait times and hours of operation for the Advance Voting location near you. Voters can vote in-person at Cobb County’s Advance Voting locations on weekdays until Oct. 30, and two Saturdays, Oct. 17 & 24.