CANTON — Voters will have their only chance to cast an early vote on a Saturday for the Nov. 6 general election, when polls open today from 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. at five locations.

In addition to the Cherokee County Elections Office on Main Street in Canton, ballots can be cast at Ball Ground, Hickory Flat, Rose Creek and Woodstock public libraries.

So far only early voting at the site in Canton has been available for voters.

Cherokee Elections Supervisor Janet Munda said she expects the four polling locations outside Canton to draw a large crowd.

“I look for the satellite locations to be swamped, because that is the first day they will be open,” Munda said.

Voting has been steady all week at the Cherokee Elections office, with an average of about 1,200 voters lining up each day to cast a ballot.

While lines were formed most of the day, sometimes wrapping around the side of the building on Main Street, Munda said wait times have been short. She praised her staff and those turning out to vote for keeping wait times to a minimum.

“It is the wonderful bunch of folks, we are moving them through in about 15 minutes,” Munda said.

Four years ago, voting was heavier, she said, with as many as 1,500 to 2,000 per day showing up for early and advance voting.

“We have had no real issues to speak of,” Munda told the Tribune. “I have someone manning the parking lot and I asked him if anyone is coming too close with signs, but no one has. Honestly, the voters have just been so nice.”

Her staff of seven employees plus about seven to nine additional poll workers brought in for the election has worked to move the people through and to process absentee ballots. So far, the office has mailed about 5,000, she said.

“Election day, if we model what we did in 2008, will be moderate and steady, since many are coming out early,” she said.

This Monday through Friday voters can go to the five previously mentioned locations to vote from 8:30 a.m. to 7 p.m.

On Nov. 5 all polls with be closed and then on Election Day, voters must vote at their assigned precinct between 7 a.m. and 7 p.m.

Voters are reminded to make sure to bring a photo ID.

To find the polling location, registered voters should check their voter precinct card or call the elections office at (770) 479-0407.

Five locations open today and Monday to Friday

* Cherokee County Elections Office

400 E. Main Street, Canton, GA 30114

* Ball Ground Public Library

435 Old Canton Rd., Ball Ground, GA 30107

* Hickory Flat Public Library

2740 East Cherokee Dr., Canton, GA 30115

* Rose Creek Public Library

4476 Towne Lake Parkway, Woodstock, GA 30189

* Woodstock Public Library

7735 Main Street, Woodstock, GA 30188