The voters have been coming to the polls since 7 a.m., and as of midday there were more than 600 voters who had cast a ballot in the GOP Primary Run-Off that concludes this evening.

The Board of Elections reported that the total number of voters stood at 672 as of noon, with Rockmart’s precinct on Goodyear Avenue having the highest turnout so far. They were up to 203 voters, followed behind Aragon with 117 and Lake Creek with 90.

Fish Creek reported 85 voters, Cedartown 78 and Blooming Grove was at just 38 voters as of noon. Youngs Grove on Antioch Road was at 61 voters.

Combined with more than 1,000 voters who took part in early voting and hundreds more absentee ballots, the numbers by day’s end could reach a “record year” according to Elections Coordinator Brande Coggins.

For those who are eligible to head back to the polls – anyone who voted in the GOP Primary back in June, for instance – the Primary Run-Off features two Republican races to determine who moves onto the November ballot.

In the more local of the races, Jason Anavitarte and Boyd Austin are squaring off to determine who will replace State Senator Bill Heath in 2021 after he retires officially in December. Whichever of the candidates that wins the district-wide race that includes Paulding and Haralson Counties as well heads to the general election in November facing a Democrat, Tianna Smith.

Across the congressional district, the vote to determine who will get on the November ballot to represent the Republicans against Democrat Kevin Van Ausdel comes down to Marjorie Greene and Dr. John Cowan. They earned their spot in the run-off after a crowded field of competitors stepped up to run for the seat being vacated at year’s end by Congressman Tom Graves.

Seven precincts are open until 7 p.m. in Polk County. They are:

• Aragon – The Aragon Community Center, 7 Elm St., Aragon (per Google Maps, for what its worth.) Parking available at Aragon Baptist Church across the street
• Blooming Grove – Pine Bower Baptist Church at 100 Pine Bower Road
• Cedartown – Bert Wood Youth and Athletic Center Gymnasium, 605 Lynton Drive, Cedartown
• Fish Creek – Victory Baptist Church, 15 Hendrix Road, Rockmart
• Lake Creek – Cedar Creek Christian Center at 1890 Rome Highway, Cedartown
• Rockmart – The Rockmart Community Center, 436 Hogue Ave. Rockmart
• Youngs Grove – Young’s Grove Baptist Church, 2255 Antioch Road, Cedartown

For more information about your status to vote or which precinct to go to, you can call the Board of Elections at 770-749-2103 or check the Secretary of State’s office website.