Low Local Turnout Expected in Today’s Statewide Primary Run-off

A low turnout is expected in Franklin and Hart counties today as Georgians go back to the polls to decide on a number of State run-off races.

Early voting in the July Primary Run-offs ended on Friday.  Franklin County Elections Superintendent Gina Chappelear said few people bothered to cast a ballot during the two weeks of early voting and she doesn’t expect a large turnout today either.

“I think we had 142 come in to vote early in our office,” she said. “This is my first run-off, but some of our poll workers have said they expect today be pretty slow, but you never know.”

Today, voters will go to their regular poling places to cast a ballot.  The run-off elections will finalize each political party’s slate of candidates for the November General Election.  There are no local run-off races in either Hart or Franklin County today.

Voters are be deciding between Republicans Rep. Jack Kingston and former Dollar General CEO David Perdue for the U.S. Senate seat being vacated by Saxby Chambliss.

Whoever wins will face Democratic candidate Michelle Nunn and Libertarian Amanda Swafford in November’s General Election. 

Voters are also deciding on both a Republican and Democratic candidate for the State School Superintendent race in two run-0ff races for that seat.

In that race, incumbent Republican John Barge decided not to seek re-election in order to run for the Republican ticket for Governor.  Barge lost that bid.

On the Republican ticket for State School Superintendent, Michael Buck, Chief Academic Officer for the State Dept of Education is facing Irwin County educator Richard Woods in today’s run-off.

On the Democratic side, State Rep. Alisha Thomas Morgan is running against former Decatur School Board chair Valarie Wilson.

The winners in both races will square off in November.

Polls close at 7p this evening.

You can see the results of today’s races on www.921.wlhr.com after polls close this evening.