Politics
Politics

6th District early voting soars

The special election in Georgia’s 6th Congressional District is set for April 18. (HENRY TAYLOR / HENRY.TAYLOR@AJC.COM)
The special election in Georgia’s 6th Congressional District is set for April 18. (HENRY TAYLOR / HENRY.TAYLOR@AJC.COM)
By Aaron Gould Sheinin
April 17, 2017

Nearly 55,000 voters cast ballots ahead of Tuesday’s special election for Georgia’s 6th District congressional seat, data from the Secretary of State’s office show.

Early voting in the race to replace former Rep. Tom Price ended Friday.

Secretary of State Brian Kemp’s office said almost 50,000 ballots were cast in person while another 5,000 were mailed-in absentee ballots.

RELATED: Special elections are also being held in Roswell and two new metro cities, South Fulton and Stonecrest

An additional 4,500 requested mail-in ballots have yet to be returned.

The 6th Congressional District covers parts of each of those three counties and features 18 candidates.

Turnout for special elections are usually tricky to predict. The last time a special election was held in the same congressional district in 1999, it drew more than 79,200 voters.

Some local voters say they've had enough of the hotly contested race for an open seat in Congress.

About the Author

Aaron Gould Sheinin
More Stories

Keep Reading

Chip Carter, a son of the late President and Mrs. Jimmy Carter, with longtime family caregiver and nanny, Mary Prince. "She's just family," Carter said. Plains, Georgia, July 2, 2025. (Courtesy of Chuck Williams)

Credit: Courtesy Chuck Williams

OPINION

The untold story of Amy Carter’s White House nanny, Mary Prince

Mary Prince met President and Mrs. Jimmy Carter 54 years ago as a wrongly convicted murderer. She talks about becoming a beloved nanny, caregiver and member of the family.

Democratic PSC candidates promise lower power bills headed into primary runoff

Two Democrats with contrasting backgrounds compete for the party nomination in a low-turnout runoff election for a chance to serve on Georgia's Public Service Commission.

SEC accuses GOP-linked Georgia lender of $140M Ponzi scheme

Federal regulators filed a complaint Thursday seeking the seizure of Georgia lender First Liberty Building & Loan, accusing its founder of operating a Ponzi scheme.

The Latest

Chip Carter, a son of the late President and Mrs. Jimmy Carter, with longtime family caregiver and nanny, Mary Prince. "She's just family," Carter said. Plains, Georgia, July 2, 2025. (Courtesy of Chuck Williams)

Credit: Courtesy Chuck Williams

OPINION

The untold story of Amy Carter’s White House nanny, Mary Prince

SEC accuses GOP-linked Georgia lender of $140M Ponzi scheme

SNAP cuts could mean fewer free meals for Georgia students

Featured

Rebecca Ramage-Tuttle, assistant director of the Statewide Independent Living Council of Georgia, says the the DOE rule change is “a slippery slope” for civil rights. (Hyosub Shin/AJC)

Credit: HYOSUB SHIN / AJC

Georgia disability rights advocates fear weakening of U.S. accessibility law

Advocates worry the Department of Energy’s move could be the start of a broader effort by other federal agencies to roll back civil rights rules.

From boycott to ballgame: Baseball’s political All-Star Game saga returns to Georgia

MLB pulled the 2021 All-Star Game from Georgia over the state's voting law, Senate Bill 202. Now it’s back — and Republicans say the return proves they were right all along.

OPINION

Beyoncé’s ‘Cowboy Carter’ tour pushes fans outside the norm

Preparations for the show pushed people out of their comfort zones — into new stores, new communities, a new style of dress, and in some cases, to visit new cities.