THOMASVILLE — The Thomas County acting chief deputy registrar knew the 2008 presidential election would be big, but never in her wildest dreams did she realize how big.

Hundreds have voted daily since early voting began in September.

“Normally, we only do one week,” said Eunice Cook, acting chief deputy registrar, referring to the traditional early voting period.

At Cook’s office — 406 Smith Ave. — the number of voters ranges from 200 to 250 daily. “Some days we go to almost 300,” she said.

Early voting will continue through Oct. 24 at the Smith Avenue office from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday trough Friday.

Advance voting is Oct. 27 through Oct. 31 at the Elijah Hill Building, 227 W. Jefferson St., with no voting on Monday, Nov. 3.

The general election is Tuesday, Nov. 4. Voters will cast ballots at the precincts where they are registered to vote.

Cook was named acting chief deputy registrar in late September upon the resignation of Lisa Ouzts, former longtime chief deputy registrar. Cook has served as deputy registrar for eight years.

The five registrar’s office employees, including Cook, are being helped during this hectic voting period by personnel from Thomas County Probate and Magistrate courts. Some employees are working until 9 p.m. weeknights processing paperwork resulting from the hundreds of ballots cast daily.

On Oct. 1, state figures showed Thomas County had about 24,000 registered voters, up from 22,000 in February.

“We have done a lot of activity since then, so I would say we’re up to 25,000,” Cook said Thursday. Voter registration for the November election ended Oct. 6.

Cook said her office could not have handled the number of people voting now if the only early voting period was during the week before the general election.

“It’s a good thing they spaced it out,” she said, adding that the constant stream of voters and resulting paperwork are almost overwhelming.

“This is certainly a young people election. … This election has brought them out,” the voting official said.

Cook is responsible for more than the ballot-casting process. She must ensure the process is carried out according to Georgia law.