DeKalb County Board of Registration and Elections officials are readying for the maelstrom of activity heading their way.

For the board, in the midst of finalizing its redistricting database and ballot preparation, the presidential race is a key focus.

“We anticipate huge turnouts for early voting in November and are making preparations to meet that demand, especially in light of the shortened early voting period now in effect — from 45 days to 21 days — as the result of 2011 legislation,” said Director H. Maxine Daniels.

She acknowledged that trying to compare this year’s prelude to the White House with that of four years ago is futile at this point.

“It is a little early to really gauge [prospective voter] enthusiasm since most voters get energized for the presidential election and not the primary,” Daniels said. “We are; however, seeing voter registration activity by private entities that is in line with that of 2008.”

While the volume of voter registration cards may increase in 2012, the DeKalb board does not expect to see a substantial increase in total voters since the majority of the applications will be changes or duplicates, which entail no change in registration name or address.

Locally, qualifying for the 2012 General Primary and nonpartisan elections came and went last week.

Among the more high-profile contests requiring candidates to qualify with their own county party is that for the office of DeKalb chief executive.

Incumbent Burrell Ellis is seeking to fend off challengers Greg Adams and Jerome Edmondson, both newcomers to the political arena.

Adams, a veteran and former DeKalb County police officer, is also a minister and entrepreneur.

According to his website, Adams is running on a platform that includes developing a financial plan to reduce the current deficit, uniting the citizens of north and south DeKalb and implementing programs focusing on youth development.

Edmondson, also a veteran, has distinguished himself as a businessman. His campaign, as stated on his site, will raise the issues of job creation and transportation among other items.

For his part, Ellis is running on his record accrued during his first term — including cutting more than $100 million in spending, restoration of neighborhoods by making foreclosed homes available to public servants and other initiatives implemented by his office under the ONE DeKalb banner.

Early voting for that race opens July 9, with the election date set for July 31.