Turnout for Tuesday's runoff election already has been strong, Effingham County voting officials said Monday.

Through early and advanced voting, which ended last week, 1,818 voters took part in the runoff. Polls open Tuesday at 7 a.m. and will be open through 7 p.m.

“We’re pleased. We’re very pleased,” elections supervisor Gail Whitehead said of the turnout. “This has really been a good turnout. This is just great.”

In the Nov. 4 general election, there were 20,932 ballots cast out of 28,854 registered voters. Of those who voted, nearly one-third — 6,307 — took part in early and advanced voting.

Local races on the ballot are chief magistrate and probate court judge. Local businessman Scott Hinson and Effingham County Sheriff’s deputy Sgt. Scott Lewis are vying for the position of chief magistrate, left vacant with the retirement of Preston Exley.

Local realtor Beth Rahn Mosley and attorney Richard Rafter are running against each other for the probate court judge seat.

Voters will be required to show one of the following six forms of photo ID when voting in-person on election day:
• A Georgia driver’s license, even if expired;

• Any valid state or federal government issued photo ID, including a free voter ID card issued by the county registrar or Georgia Department of Driver Services (DDS);

• Valid U.S. passport;

• Valid employee photo ID from any branch, department, agency, or entity of the U.S. government, Georgia, or any county, municipality, board, authority, or other entity of this state;

• Valid U.S. military photo ID; or

• Valid tribal photo ID.

If a voter does not have one of these forms of photo identification, they can obtain a free voter ID card at their county registrars’ office or the Georgia Department of Driver Services. Anyone with additional questions about Georgia’s photo ID requirement can visit www.GAPhotoID.com or call toll free (877) 725-9797.

Polls will be open from 7 a.m.-7 p.m. on Tuesday. Voters can find voter registration information, including polling locations and legislative districts, by visiting http://sos.georgia.gov/elections/polllocator/.