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Early voting turnout off to a slow start
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Doug Hulsey votes Wednesday, the third day of early voting for Gainesville municipal elections, at the Hall County Government Center. Hulsey and his wife, Brenda, brought the three-day total of voters to 48. - photo by NAT GURLEY

The election for Gainesville mayor is off to a slow start as fewer than 50 had cast ballots as of Wednesday afternoon. Director of Elections and Chief Registrar Charlotte Sosebee said 18 voted on Monday and 20 on Tuesday, but predicted a higher turnout as the Nov. 1 early vote deadline approaches.

The general election is Nov. 5 for the city’s first elected mayor, a race that has drawn four candidates: Charles Alvarez, Danny Dunagan, Debra Harkrider and Rose Johnson.

Active voters numbered 11,688 as of Aug. 22. During the last municipal election in 2011, 14 percent of registered Gainesville voters cast ballots on Election Day. The city is projecting a 25 percent turnout this year, or 2,922 voters.

Early voting is held at the Hall County Government Center, 2875 Browns Bridge Road, Gainesville. On Election Day, three precincts will be open. For more information on voting, contact the Hall County Board of Elections and Registrars Office at 770-531-6945.