VALDOSTA — A total of 556 citizens cast ballots during the nine-day early voting period that came to an end Friday. A five-day advance voting period kicks off Monday.

All registered voters who are ready to cast ballots are urged to stop by the Lowndes County Board of Elections office at 2808 N. Oak St. between 7 a.m. and 7 p.m. or the University Center on the campus of Valdosta State University between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. through Oct. 30.

The Valdosta State University precinct was a joint effort of the campus’s College Democrats, College Republicans and Cox.

Supervisor of Elections Deb Cox noted that there are roughly 57,000 registered voters in Lowndes County.

During last year’s presidential election, over half of the county’s registered voters cast early ballots.

A total of 33 candidates qualified in September to have their names placed on ballots, seeking one of 19 offices available during the 2009 elections. Cox said that 10 of those candidates had no opposition and will be certified on Nov. 6, in accordance with the Official Code of Georgia, Section 21-2-285j.

This includes Alvin Payton Jr., Valdosta City Council District 4; David W. Bullard Sr., City of Hahira mayor; Kenneth E. Allen, City of Dasher mayor; Julian Q. Copeland Jr., Dasher City Council Post 1; Walker K. Sandlin, City of Lake Park mayor; Albert R. Carter, Lake Park City Council; Paul R. Mulkey, Lake Park City Council; Eric Schindler, Lake Park City Council; Jeffery L. Spradley, Lake Park City Council; and Vanassa L. Flucas, Valdosta Board of District 2.

In early September, the Lowndes County Board of Elections officially gave notice that the Lake Park elections had been canceled due to the candidates having no opposition.

Rodney R. Flucas, candidate for the Valdosta City Council District 2 seat, dropped out of the race.

A total of 22 candidates remain, vying for seats on the Valdosta City Council, Hahira City Council, Dasher City Council, as well as the Valdosta Board of Education.

Election Day is Nov. 3.