October 31, 2008

ATLANTA (AP) -- Local, state and federal lawmakers are calling for Gov. Perdue and Secretary of State Karen Handel to extend early voting through Monday, including the weekend, to give Georgia voters an opportunity to cast their ballots in a historic election that already has seen a record turnout.

U.S. Rep. John Lewis of Georgia was among the legislators gathered at the state Capitol Friday to protest early voting problems that have happened in metro Atlanta. Lewis called for federal intervention in the state to clear the way for extended hours, more voting machines and more poll workers.

Georgia voters began voting Sept. 22. By early Friday, 1.77 million Georgians had cast ballots early, 31 percent of those eligible. Advance voting is scheduled to end at 7 p.m. Friday.

(Copyright 2008 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)