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Early voting began in Troup County on Monday for Georgia’s Presidential Preference Primary, and 199 residents have already cast their votes. Early voting is taking place from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday until March 20 at the Troup County Government Center.

It’s important to vote and it’s a civic duty. While some people may be busy on March 24, the day of the election, there’s always time to vote beforehand.

Anyone wanting to check their voter registration status or see a sample ballot, they can visit the Georgia Secretary of State’s My Voter Page at mvp.sos.ga.gov, or visit the Troup County Board of Elections and Registration office at the Troup County Government Center.

Early voting is convenient for many reasons. The lines should be shorter than they will be Election Day, when everyone will be rushing to the polls during the workweek.

For some, it might be easier to catch a break today, run by the courthouse and cast a vote. And many others may already be at the courthouse for a different reason.

Why not go ahead and vote while you’re there?

For those waiting until Election day, March 24 is coming up quickly. We urge you to read up on each candidate, know their stance on important issues and be informed before going to the polls. It’s important to not only just vote, but to be an informed voter with a stake in the future of the community.

Cast your vote and play a role in the future of your community, state and nation.

Georgia law also requires the polls to be open on Saturday, March 14. Additionally, this year, Troup County and other counties across the state will use the all-new voting equipment.

There are 13 candidates, mostly on the Democratic side of the ticket, including those who have dropped out of the race. The Republican ticket has only one name, President Donald Trump.

As a reminder, the March 24 election is only for president of the United States. The local election to decide federal, state and county offices will be in May.

Qualifying for those seats is happening this week, and we’ll have all the information about who’s running for what very soon.