Follow online for live election updates at gainesvilletimes.com. after the polls close at 7 p.m.
Today’s the day.
The hand shaking, baby kissing and TV ads have all led up to this primary election — and it’s a big one.
Of 10 statewide offices up for election, eight are wide open; just two incumbents are running. Voters will have their chance to choose their favorite candidates in this year’s crowded races.
Hall County residents will be asked to vote for their party’s nominee in a range of offices, from the county commission all the way to the governor.
Interim Hall County Elections Superintendent Charlotte Sosebee said she hopes it will be a busy Election Day.
“I just want them to get out there and vote,” she said.
Voting precincts will be open from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Registered voters need to bring an approved photo ID, such as a driver’s license, passport or military ID, to the polls.
Sosebee said people need to also come prepared to choose whether they would like a Republican or Democratic ballot. Because it is a primary election, voting is partisan.
“There’s no crossing over from one party to the other,” Sosebee said. “Some don’t remember or they have never voted in a primary.”
Ross Alexander, a political science professor at North Georgia College & State University, said the primary election is especially important for North Georgia voters.
“In most regions of Georgia, the primary elections are the true elections because it’s a very conservative state,” Alexander said. “A lot of Republican politicians are going to run unopposed in November or against a very weak opponent.”
Sosebee said she doesn’t expect a stellar turnout, predicting a little less than 40 percent of registered voters will come out to the polls.
“I did expect to have a little bit more in the early voting,” Sosebee said. “But it wasn’t what I expected.”
For those hoping to avoid congestion at the precincts, Sosebee recommended voting mid-morning or late afternoon.
“A lot of people vote on their way to work, on their lunch hour and after work,” Sosebee said. “So (mid-morning or late afternoon) would be good times to not experience any lines.”