Light turnout predicted in election today

Election officials expect voters to be few and far between today in special elections across North Georgia.

Turnout at most nonpresidential, nonlocal elections is scarce, but the special election -- set to fill Georgia's 9th Congressional District seat vacated by Nathan Deal -- could draw less than 5 percent of eligible ballot casters, officials say.

"A lot of times local or presidential (races) brings them out and there's nothing local on there," said Danielle Montgomery with the Walker County Elections Office.

Shirley Hamrick, election technician with the Whitfield County Board of Elections, said they hadn't been expecting a big turnout, but the office has gotten several phone calls over the last few days with questions about voting.

"Maybe it's going to be better than think," she said.

Election Today:Polls will be open from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. today for special elections in Georgia's 9th Congressional District and Georgia's General Assembly District 12.See www.timesfreepress.com tonight for county by county results.Candidates for the 9th District Include:* Chris Cates, Republican, Blairsville* Tom Graves Jr., Republican, Ranger* Lee Hawkins, Republican, Gainesville* Bert Loftman, Republican, Jasper* Bill Stephens, Republican, Cumming* Steve Tarvin, Republican, Chickamauga* Mike Freeman, Democrat, Oakwood* Edward "Eugene" Moon, Independent, Gainesville

Six Republicans, a Democrat and an independent will be on the ballot today for the special election in the 9th District to replace Mr. Deal, who resigned to run for governor.

"You don't generally get the casual voter," said Dr. Carl Cavalli, a professor of political science at North Georgia College and State University, discussing special elections. "To be honest a good portion of these (voters) may be the candidates' campaign, family and friends."

In Catoosa County, 530 voters have cast early or advance ballots in the special election, compared to about 450 in Walker County and 300 in Whitfield.

"It's low," Ms. Montgomery said.

Dr. Cavalli said with the low turnout and a crowded field, a few votes here or there could put a candidate in or out of a likely runoff.

"The differences between them are going to be very, very small," said Dr. Cavalli, who said the two candidates with highest vote totals might not reach 30 percent.

Voters in Pickens and parts of Gordon and Bartow counties also will vote to fill the 12th District state representative seat vacated by Tom Graves, who is running for the 9th District. That ballot includes Democrat Jerry Nally and Republicans Rick Jasperse and Truett Moss II.

Shea Hicks, chairwoman of the Gordon County Board of Elections, said there has been plenty of confusion in her county. Because of the way the congressional and state House district lines are drawn, some Gordon County voters will vote only for a state representative, some will vote only for a U.S. representative, some will vote for both and some will vote for none, she said.

Ms. Hicks blames the confusion for the low early voting totals. Only 162 early ballots have been cast in Gordon, she said.

"We kind of thought it would be light, but we're hoping voters turn out," said Ms. Hicks, who is hoping for a 10 percent turnout.

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