FULTON COUNTY, GA — Fulton County officials are urging voters to prepare ahead of the November midterm elections as the county works to make sure voting runs smoothly.
County officials hosted a panel to inform voters about what to expect during the upcoming election and address concerns from residents.
LaShandra Little with Fulton County Elections said one of her biggest concerns is making sure voters understand how to prepare before casting their ballots.
“My number one concern is people being educated to know how to plan when we say plan your vote and what that means,” Little said.
Officials are encouraging voters to know when and where they plan to cast their ballots before Election Day.
Fulton County also plans to have local law enforcement at polling locations. Little said the elections director has been working with the Fulton County police chief ahead of the election.
“Our director has been working very closely with our Fulton County police chief to make sure that law enforcement will be at every precinct and every polling location making sure they have training on what to do if something happens,” Little said.
Fulton County Commissioner Dana Barrett, who hosted the panel, also addressed questions about the possibility of federal authorities at polling locations.
“For people who don’t realize, it is very normal, they are always at the polls. We always have coverage at the polls with our local police. What we shouldn’t have is federal law enforcement,” Barrett said.
Barrett said voters who have concerns about federal law enforcement at or near a polling location should contact local authorities.
“The first thing you should do should you see something at or near the polls that you’re concerned about in terms of federal law enforcement being there, ask one of the local law enforcement officers to help you. Don’t take anything on yourself,” Barrett said.
Oct. 5 is the deadline to register to vote ahead of the midterms and make address changes. Early in-person voting begins statewide Oct. 13.
WSB Radio’s Ashley Simmons & Michelle Wright contributed to this story.