Turnout higher in Walton County in early voting

Local races see increase in voters compared to 2023 numbers

More than 3,000 people came out to vote in the weeks leading up to Election Day, a threefold increase over city elections two years ago.

Without any state races on the ballot except two seats for the Public Service Commission, turnout is far below last year’s presidential race, which drew more than 37,000 ballots in early voting.

However, it’s much higher than the 2023 election, which was similar to this year’s race in featuring no race for higher state or national office.

That year, with only city council and school board races on the ballot, early voting was a little more than 1,000 votes by the time early voting ended. This year, on the other hand, tripled that count, as 3,294 people had voted as of the end of Wednesday in early voting for races across Walton County. The ballots across Walton County contain a number of local races, including races for the mayor in Loganville, city council seats in Loganville, Monroe and Social Circle, and seats on the Social Circle Board of Education.

There are several other issues on the local ballot as well, including the PSC races. In addition, all three cities must vote on a referendum on House Bill 743 related to the homestead exemption for city taxes. Also on the ballot is this year’s renewal of the Education Local Option Sales Tax, the 1% sales tax that raises money for local public schools.

Election Day is Tuesday. Voting will run from 7 a.m.-7 p.m.