Early voting kicked off Monday for residents of Gordon County as candidates vie for the title in the runoff elections from the July 31 primary election.

As of press time close of yesterday 213 people had cast their ballots early, according to Gordon County Board of Elections Director Shae Hicks, who also says voters have been into the Elections office for early voting steadily.

“We would like to see the same turnout, but it will probably be 18 to 20 percent voter turnout,” said Hicks. “We are hoping with the three local races in Gordon County that it will get voters energized to come out and cast their vote.”

The results of the primary election dictated the partisan representative of each party in the General elections in November.

In Gordon County, only one Democratic candidate, Scott Haynes, is unopposed with all other candidates running on the Republican ticket.

In the runoff election next Tuesday, Aug 21, voters will be asked to decide between the Republican candidates, who must get 50 plus one percent of the vote in order to be on the ballot in the general election in November, where voters will choose the candidate of their choice, with candidates from all parties present on one ballot.

For the office of Clerk of Superior Court, with a less than ten percent lead in the primary elections at 44.79 percent of the votes, incumbent Brian Brannon will face Grant Walraven who came in with 37.23 percent of the vote.

In the race for Chief Magistrate Judge, voters will choose between incumbent John Leggett who received 38.85 percent of the total votes, and Ricky Silvers who received 19 percent in the Primary Election, July 31.

For County Commissioner District Five, voters will choose between Tom Bledsoe who received 40.56 percent of the vote and Kevin Cunningham who received 31.37 percent.

The last day to vote early is Friday, Aug. 17 at 5 p.m. and polls will not be open the Monday before the Aug. 21 runoff on Tuesday.

For more information contact the Gordon County Board of Elections at 706-629-7781.

Hicks reminds voters of several important pieces of information as voters go to the polls early for the runoff election, Aug. 21.

Pointers from Hicks

1. If I voted in a particular party’s primary, may I switch to the other party for the run-off?

No. When you choose a party during a primary, you may only participate in that party’s runoff. You may not switch parties for the run-off, however, you may choose to vote in a non-partisan runoff.

2. If I don’t vote in the Primary, may I vote in the Run-off?

Yes. If you don’t vote in the Primary, you have not yet selected a party preference and may vote in either party’s run-off.

3. If I vote in the nonpartisan election during the initial voting, may I participate in a party runoff?

Yes. If you vote nonpartisan during the initial election, then you have not yet chosen a party. This means that you are eligible to participate in either party’s primary run-off.