Georgia Secretary of State Cathy Cox spoke at the Fayette Democratic Women's

annual luncheon last weekend. Cox was introduced by Fayette Democratic Women

president, Heidi Becker.

Also introduced was the mayor of Peachtree City, Steve Brown, who welcomed

everyone to the city. Becker commented that due to several Democrats switching

to the Republican Party, of which Brown is a member, he was free to switch

also.

Over 50 were present to hear Cox stress the importance of not only voting

but taking advantage of advance voting.

"It took me five years," she said, "to get our legislature

to approve this process. Over 30 states already have the procedure in place.

We were the first state to install all-electronic voting.

"We have had 400,000 new voter registrants this year, 40 percent of

whom are African-Americans. In the last national election Georgia had a turnout

of 69 percent, and predict we could have as high as a 75 percent turnout

Nov. 2.

"Let's shake up the world Nov. 2, and show everyone what the Democrats

in Georgia can accomplish," she said.

Fayette Democratic Party member Al LaMothe was asked how many new Democrats

were registered recently in the county. "More people," he replied, "than

the number Bush won by in Florida."

Inman resident Frances Cowart Reeves was acknowledged as the longest-serving

person in the Fayette County Democratic Party.

Advance voting takes place this week, through Friday at 5 p.m., at the Fayette

County Elections and Voter Registration Office, Room 207, Stonewall Building,

Fayetteville. It can be reached at 770-460-5730, ext. 5408.