Turnout is high in Athens-Clarke County for today’s special election, and elections officials are pleased so far.
Athens Clarke County voters are turning out in far higher numbers than expected for today’s special election. Officials at the Athens-Clarke County Board of Elections say that Athens could see turnout as high as 15%. That may sound low, but elections officials say that normally, turnout in special elections in Clarke County is below 10%.
As of the end of the early voting period, nearly 4,000 Athens voters had voted early or submitted an absentee ballot. Election day voting was brisk, given that this is a special election, with over 5,200 voting today, as of midafternoon.
All Athens Clarke voters will be deciding on whether or not to approve a large package of transportation improvements, funded by a 1% sales tax hike. Some Athens voters, as well as voters in parts of Oconee, Jackson, and Barrow Counties will vote in special elections for state house districts 117 and 119.
Polls are open until 7PM, and voters who are in line at 7 but have not voted will not be turned away.
