Georgia voters are heading to the polls today to cast ballots in the general primary election.
Habersham County voters will decide a number of key local races. On the GOP ballot, there are contested races for Board of Education District 1, Chief Magistrate, Clerk of Superior Court, County Commission Districts 1 and 5, Probate Judge, Sheriff, District Attorney, State Senate 50th District and 9th District Congress.
Click here to view 2016 Candidate Profiles
No Democrats qualified to run locally. Because of that, most of these races likely will be decided on today (barring an independent opposition bid in November) but the three-person races for Sheriff and Commission District 5 could be thrown into runoffs if none of the candidates receive a majority of the votes cast.
There’s also a hotly-contested nonpartisan election for State Court Judge on the ballot and a special election for Clarkesville City Council.
READ: Clarkesville council candidate profiles
Habersham County voters also will decide the fate of two referendums which, if approved, would pave the way for Sunday alcohol sales in unincorporated areas of the county.
To preview the primary ballots, click on the links below
Republican sample ballot 5-24-2016
Nonpartisan sample ballot 5-24-2016
Democratic sample ballot 5-24-2016
Strong voter turnout expected
A strong voter turnout is expected. Already 23% of the county’s active, registered voters have cast ballots.
Election Superintendent Laurel Ellison says at the end of Early/Advanced voting on Friday, 4,347 ballots had been cast. Of those, 204 were Democratic ballots, 4,119 Republican and 24 Nonpartisan.
If you’re voting today, a couple of things to remember:
You must have proper ID and must vote at your assigned precinct. If you’re unsure of your precinct, click here. The county elections office website provides a list of voting locations.
Polls opened at 7am and will remain open until 7pm.
Now Habersham will provide election coverage throughout the evening.
