Low turnout in early voting for primary runoff in Hall County, same expected for Tuesday

Early voting for the Aug. 11 primary runoff wrapped up Friday afternoon in Hall County, and the rest of the state, and to no one's surprise, turnout was low for the three weeks leading up to election day. 

 

Hall County Elections Director Lori Wurtz said in a telephone interview Friday morning 1,953 voters had cast early ballots by close of day Thursday; she did not expect the trend to change Friday. Hall County voters are selecting both the Democratic and Republican nominees for the Ninth Congressional District seat. Also, voters who cast ballots in the Gillsville and Tadmore precincts will find a runoff for the District 50 State Senate seat on their ballots. 

 

"It's a typical turnout for such a runoff," Wurtz said.

 

The low numbers made for a smooth early voting period, even when some county employees at the North Hall Community Center - one of the four early voting precincts - came down with COVID-19, prompting the closure of the building for a time.

 

"Everything actually even ran smoothly through that because the closure and the cleaning was after voting had ended for that day and it opened back up the next morning without a hitch," Wurtz said. 

 

For the actual voting day on Tuesday, Aug. 11, voters can expect the same routine from the General Primary in June.

 

"We have not had any changes to any election day polling places, so it will be the same locations we had in the General Primary," Wurtz said. She noted that Lula voters will vote at First Baptist Church on Maiden Lane; that change was made in June because City Hall was too small to ensure proper social distancing for voters. 

 

Because the coronavirus pandemic is still a factor, Wurtz said her office will again make sure to take all precautions to ensure voters are casting ballots in a healthy environment.

 

"Our poll workers will be wearing masks, gloves, using sanitizer - which will be provided to the voters, as well - sneeze guards will be in place, we will enforce the six feet of social distancing, we will disinfect behind every voter," Wurtz said. She said face coverings would not be mandated for voters, but she's hoping voters will help curb the spread of germs by wearing masks or other face coverings.

 

Polls will be open from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Tuesday. 

 

Looking ahead to the November General Election, Wurtz said the Hall County Elections Office will need more polls workers, since so many have opted to forego the job during the pandemic. She said they will be recruiting an additional 200 poll workers for the November election.