Low turnout seen during early voting in presidential primary

LEESBURG – Voter turnout was lackluster for the early voting period in the 2024 presidential primary ahead of Tuesday’s Election Day, as now only one active candidate in each of the two major political parties remains in the race.

The ballots will include 11 Republicans and three Democrats, but after this week’s Super Tuesday only incumbent Democrat Joe Biden and former President Donald Trump are still actively campaigning.

Polls will be open from 7 a.m.-7 p.m. at all voter precincts. Voters can find their polling location and view sample ballots by visiting https://mvp.sos.ga.gov/s/.

As of mid-week, 808 voters in Lee County had cast ballots, Lee County Elections Supervisor Veronica Johnson said. That included two “pop-up” voting events held after work hours in addition to weekday and two Saturday voting opportunities.

“I know Friday will pick up,” Johnson said. “A lot of people wait until the last day.”

In 2020, during a presidential primary election held when COVID-19 was sickening many in the region, 792 participated, and the 2016 total was 884, so this year is about average.

“We are on the cusp of topping 2020,” Johnson said. “I think because so many states have voted and the candidates have been narrowed down, a lot of people may be sitting it out.”

The pop-up sites did “OK,” but did not draw as many as was the case in previous elections when they were utilized.

“In 2020 and 2022, the pop-ups were very well-received,” Johnson said. “I think this is going to be an outlier. I’m happy to spend the staffing and the time to do it, but we want to get bang for our buck.”

Qualifying for local races in the May 31 general primary and nonpartisan elections also was held statewide this week.

In Dougherty County, incumbent School Board members James Bush in District 5; Gerealdine Hudley, the at-large member; Velvet Poole in District 3, and Robert Youngblood in District 1 have qualified. Wanda Mallard also has qualified to challenge Bush. School Board races are nonpartisan contests.

Dougherty County Commission District 3 incumbent Clinton Johnson and District 5 incumbent Gloria Gaines also have qualified for the Democratic primary, and District 1 Commissioner Ed Newsome was scheduled to qualify on Friday.

Rounding out the Democratic candidates for the May 31 ballot were candidates for Dougherty County sheriff. Those candidates are current Chief Deputy Terron Hayes and former Albany Police Department investigator Keithen Hall, who is currently a captain with the Albany State University Police Department. Coroner Michael Fowler also has qualified to seek another term.

Incumbent State Court Judge John M. Stephenson and incumbent Probate Court Judge Leisa Blount have qualified to seek new terms in the nonpartisan election.

In Lee County, Republican incumbents who had qualified were Sheriff Reggie Rachals, District 4 County Commissioner Chris Guarnieri, District 5 Commissioner George Walls Sr. and Superior Court Clerk Sara Clark.

Nonpartisan candidates included Probate Court Judge Melanie Gahring Rathel, Chief Magistrate Court Judge Jim Thurman, District 4 School Board incumbent Jamie McDowell and District 5 School Board member Fran Walls.

Other candidates who qualified are Dean Gore in the sheriff’s race and Mary Egler in School Board District 5.

Staff Photo: Alan MauldinAlanMauldin[email protected]