Huddled in a warm library Monday night, several Georgia residents said they weren't aware an election was taking place today.

But that didn't change their opinion about whether one should be held, including today's runoff for Supreme Court justice and Court of Appeals judge.

"It has to be done. What other system do we have?" said Athens resident Tim Crane, who was in Gainesville visiting family.

And Kelly Tomlin of Clermont said, "One of the issues is the costs involved, but you have to have (the election). It's a necessary thing that should happen."

The runoff also caps off a busy year of elections, highlighted by the governor's race but also filled with many other state and county races.

City races take place in odd-numbered years, but Flowery Branch had special elections to fill two City Council posts and the mayor's office.

Hall County Interim Elections Director Charlotte Sosebee said she is projecting a 5 percent turnout.

"If it was something local, I think we would have a higher turnout," she said.

The whole voter apathy issue is a sad one, Tomlin observed.

"Most people today know more who's running for ‘American Idol' than a judgeship," the Massachusetts native said, referring to the long-running, voter-driven TV show.

Seated at the Hall County Library System's main branch in downtown Gainesville, he scanned the room.

"Generally speaking, people are (using computers) for video games and Facebook. That's what piques people's interest."

Runoffs happen because other - perhaps a lot of - candidates were on the ballot at one point and then, in an initial election, that number was whittled to the top two vote getters.

That flurry of activity encourages Jeanne Hozak of North Hall about the political process.

"It's good to see people getting involved, rather than sitting back and letting the other guy do it," she said.

Charles Bullock, a professor of political science at the University of Georgia, has said the lack of interest in the judicial races is likely due in large part to the fact that many people simply don't know about them.

"Judicial candidates don't do a whole lot of campaigning," he said. "There's not a lot of information circulating."

And because of the nature of the positions, judicial candidates have to campaign delicately. The Judicial Qualifications Commission has a code of ethics for candidates that is more strict than traditional campaign etiquette.

Still, in echoing the sentiments of others, Hozak said she believes runoffs are needed regardless of how obscure the race may seem.

"It's the only way, at this stage," she said.

In the Supreme Court race, incumbent David Nahmias earned 48.2 percent of the votes in a three-candidate field on Nov. 2. Opponent Tammy Lynn Adkins took 35.2 percent, forcing a runoff.

The appeals court race drew six candidates, with Antoinette "Toni" Davis (25.5 percent of the vote) and Chris McFadden (22.6 percent) emerging as the top two.

Staff writers Melissa Weinman and Carolyn Crist contributed to this report.