Will voters turn out for Tuesday’s primary? | GainesvilleTimes.com

Voter turnout is a concern each and every election cycle, particularly in primary races when interest lags.

Hall County is certainly not immune, but low turnout here might be even more pronounced in primary races this year for a few reasons.

First, several local races are uncontested. It also is a nonpresidential election year. And, finally, the primary date was moved up on the calendar this year to coincide with federal election schedules. Taken together, these factors spell trouble for turnout come Tuesday.

There are about 95,000 registered voters in Hall County, but just 2,354 cast ballots during three weeks of early primary voting. Another 409 have returned absentee ballots.

“We’ve had a very low turnout,” Elections Director Charlotte Sosebee said.

The low turnout thus far promises one of two things come Tuesday: The polls will either be dead or swamped, Sosebee said.

via Will voters turn out for Tuesday’s primary?.