EVANS, Ga. (AP) - Political rivals in Georgia's most hotly contested race for Congress are making their final appeals to voters on their last full day of campaigning.

Democratic Rep. John Barrow spent Monday waving to voters on rural street corners in Baxley and Vidalia as he sought independent votes and crossover support from Republicans to win re-election. His Republican rival, Lee Anderson of Grovetown, worked lunch crowds in his home turf of Columbia County to fire up his core supporters.

Barrow's 12th District seat was redrawn last year to give a GOP challenger an edge. 

The 12th includes Laurens, Treutlen, Wheeler and Telfair counties.

Barrow has sought to win over voters weary of partisan gridlock in Washington by playing up his differences with President Barack Obama and Democratic leaders.

Anderson, a farmer and state lawmaker, insists Barrow is more two-faced than independent.

Hundreds of people lined up at the Bibb County Board of Elections office Monday for the first day of early voting.

Although we won't have official numbers until late, Elections Supervisor Elaine Carr says it's typical to see a high turnout for an election like this.

The line of voters extended outside the Bibb County Board Elections office, and inside the sight was similar.

"It was a hurry up and wait," says voter David Smith. "They wait outside a long time and then you finally get in, you thought you were going to be able to vote. It kind of like being at Six Flags or Disney World."

Signs hung nearby promoting local candidates, but most voters say the presidential race is what brought them to the polls.

They say they waited for an hour, up to an hour and a half, some for their first chance to vote.

Lee Anderson leads with 13778 votes, all precincts reporting. That's 50 percent of the vote.

Rick Allen trailed with 13625 votes. That's a difference of 153 votes.

In Laurens, Wheeler, Telfair and Treutlen counties, people will vote on another Republican primary between Lee Anderson and a different candidate named Rick Allen. The winner challenges incumbent John Barrow.