A Voter’s Information Seminar will be held at 7 p.m. Monday at the Leroy Rogers Senior Center, 315 W. Second St., and anyone of any age is invited to attend and learn more about voting trends and requirements. Also, anyone can advance vote in the July 15 Primary Election from 8 a.m. until 5 p.m. Monday through Friday at Election Central in the old gymnasium at the corner of Fourth Street and Chesnutt Avenue.

Tifton City Councilman Roosevelt Russell, one of the seminar’s organizers, said many people, including the elderly, are intimidated sometimes by the voting process. They are also hesitant, Russell said, because they don’t want to hold up lines.

“They don’t realize there are lines set up for people 75 and older,” Russell said. “Many don’t need to or can’t stand for very long.”

Russell reminds everyone that every vote counts and said those who can’t get to the polls to vote have other options, including voting absentee.

“It’s out there for them,” Russell said. “All they’ve got to do is come get it.”

Amos Kimbrough, who serves on the Tift County Board of Elections and Registration, is also assisting with the seminar. He said that people who attend the meeting will be informed about the voting process and what people can expect once they get to the polls.

“One thing in particular, for instance, is that voters must declare a party to vote in the July 15 primary,” Kimbrough said. “There are too many citizens, not just seniors, who don’t understand the process.”

Although the deadline has passed to vote in the July 15 Primary Election, there’s still time to register and be eligible to vote in the November General Election. Kimbrough said voter registration forms would be available at the seminar.

According to the Secretary of State’s office, the number of registered voters has increased by 7 percent in the last year and 9 percent since the 2004 presidential contest. The state has added 210,441 voters since February and some of the biggest gains have been among black and Hispanic voters, who have both posted higher percentage growth than whites in recent months. Approximately 4.7 million active registered voters are eligible to cast a ballot in Georgia’s July 15 primary, more than ever before in the state.

To contact senior reporter Angie Thompson, call 382-4321.