CHICKAMAUGA, Ga. -- Voters weren't as scarce as expected in Tuesday's special election for the 9th Congressional District, especially in the hometown of the third-place finisher.
Election officials expected a turnout between 3 percent and 5 percent but in some counties -- including Walker and Whitfield -- more voters came out.
In Chickamauga, at a precinct a few blocks from the textile printing business run by candidate Steve Tarvin, more than 10 percent of eligible voters had cast ballots by 5 p.m., officials said.
A steady stream of voters filed into the Chickamauga Civic Center.
"Just one right after the other," said poll worker Austin Whitlock.
Six Republicans, a Democrat and an independent were on the ballot to replace former U.S. Rep. Nathan Deal, who stepped down to run for governor. Officials estimate the election cost the 9th District counties about $250,000 all told.
Overall turnout figures for in the 15-county district were unavailable Tuesday night.
Whitfield elections supervisor Kay Staten said about 11 percent of eligible voters cast ballots in her county.
"Across the state they said it would probably be 6 percent," Ms. Staten said. "We were happy with what we got."
Walker County election supervisor Barbara Berry said she was surprised by the 9.2 percent turnout in her county. About 3,700 votes were cast among the 40,000 eligible voters.
"We predicted 2 percent," she said.
Those at the polls said things were moving without a hitch.
"It's over so quick, it makes you wonder if you're through," said Wayne Nation after making his choice in Chickamauga.
He and his wife said voters are fed up with business as usual and angry about health care legislation.
ELECTION COVERAGEFor full coverage of this year's elections, go to the Chattanooga Times Free Press Politics web page.
"We can't wait to vote again in November," said Patsy Nation. "It would suit me if they wiped out the whole House and Senate."
Steffenie Long, 19, cast the first vote of her life in a nearly empty Poplar Springs voting precinct on Rollins Industrial Court in Ringgold. She voted alongside her mother and grandmother in a tri-generational ballot casting.
"At the time it was just us three," she said of the scant turnout. "When we were leaving, another car was pulling up."
She said she supported Mr. Tarvin and had been impressed by his personality and his stances on the issues. Overall, she said she's disappointed more people didn't exercise their right to vote.
"If you don't vote then you can't do anything about it," she said.