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Advance voting slow for Tuesdays election
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Advance voting for Tuesday's elections ended Friday with few casting ballots in races for Gainesville City Council or a state House seat representing South Hall.

A total of 613 voted early in a special election to replace Rep. James Mills in state House District 25. In Gainesville, 372 voted in a City Council race between incumbent Bob Hamrick and newcomer Debra Harkrider; a Sunday alcohol package sales question also is on the ballot.

Municipal elections typically draw low voter turnout. In 2009, less than 10 percent voted in Gainesville. And that was higher, likely due to a referendum about having an elected mayor, than the previous municipal election in 2007 that saw only 3.76 percent turnout.

Advance voting began Oct. 17, and polls will be open 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Tuesday for regular voting.

Other contested races in Hall County include positions on the city councils in Flowery Branch, Clermont and Lula. A referendum on Sunday alcohol package sales also is on the ballot in Flowery Branch and Oakwood.