As of Monday, only 335 people have voted in the advanced voting for the special election for SPLOST. Voting is currently limited only to in-person voting at the Municipal Building downtown.
These numbers are not surprising to Elections Board Executive Director Lynn Bailey who says she is expecting a light turn out of between 10% and 15% of eligible voters.
“Generally speaking, we see a very light turn out when it is a single-issue ballot,” she says.
The covid pandemic may play a role in the light turn out as well, according to Bailey, because many people are still afraid to be in large groups, and mail-in ballots are not automatically sent out. If someone wants to receive a mail in ballot, they must request one for a special election.
Also, no drop boxes are available during a special election.
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“It also may be that people are just tired of voting,” Bailey says. “We have been through a very contentious election season and people just may want a rest from voting.”
Advanced voting at the Municipal Building continues throughout this week, but next week, three other locations will be open. Those locations are Warren Road Community Center, Henry Brigham Community Center and Robert Howard Community Center at Diamond Lakes.
While the voting has been light so far, Bailey believes the opening of the locations will spur more people to vote early.
“That will make it easier for people, since they do not have to drive all the way downtown,” she says.
Early voting will continue through March 12, and the general election is Tuesday March 16.
Scott Hudson is the Editorial Page Editor of The Augusta Press. Reach him at scott@theaugustapress.com
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