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Early voting to start June 7
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Special Local Option Sales Tax (SPLOST) question on the July 20 ballot:

"Shall a special one percent sales and use tax be imposed in the special district of Rockdale County for a period of time of six years and for the raising of approximately $75,000,000 for the purpose of funding (i) roads, streets, and bridges, jail, fire stations and public safety, recreation, and water for Rockdale County, and (ii) roads, intersections, and sidewalks, recreation, including greenspace acquisition and trails, and
police cars and other vehicles for the City of Conyers? If imposition of the tax is approved by the voters, such vote shall also constitute an approval of the issuance of general obligation debt of Rockdale County in the maximum principal amount of $13,000,000 for the purposes of funding a portion of the County projects listed above?"

Although the primary is on July 20, voters will be able to go to the polls as early as this Monday.

Early voting will begin June 7 and run until July 16 and will take place at the Rockdale county Board of Elections and Registration at 1400 Parker Road.

From June 7 - July 13, the polls will be open Monday through Friday during regular hours from 8 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. The poll will also be open on Saturday, July 10, 9 a.m. - 1:30 p.m. From July 14 - July 16, he polls will be open for extended hours from 8 a.m. - 7 p.m.

Voters must bring one of six forms of photo ID: Georgia drivers license (even if expired or suspended), valid State or Federal Government photo ID, valid U.S. passport with photo, valid Government Employee photo ID (city, county, state or U.S. government), valid U.S. military photo ID, tribal photo ID.

For absentee ballots by mail, requests can be sent to the Rockdale County Board of Elections and Registration, Attn: Absentee Ballot, 1400 Parker Road, Lobby C, Conyers, GA 30094 and may also be faxed to 770-785-6932. Voters can also download an absentee ballot application from www.rockdalecounty.org.

In addition to federal, state and local candidates, primary voters will also see the question of the proposed 1 cent Special Purpose Local Option Sales Tax, estimated to raise $75 million over six years. The current SPLOST, estimated to finish around $94 million, will sunset in 2011.

Republican primary voters will see an additional question "Do you oppose MARTA/light rail in Rockdale County?"

The Board of Elections projects a turnout for the primary of 45 percent, or about 21,036 people. There were 46,747 active voters as of April.

The deadline to register to vote in the primary is June 21.Voters must be registered in the Democratic or Republican party by to vote in the respective primary.

Anyone with additional questions about Georgia's photo ID requirements can visit www.GAPhotoID.com or call toll free (877) 725-9797.

For more information, call the Rockdale County Board of Elections and Registration Office at (770) 278-7333.