Georgia Primary: Early voting turnout recovers from slow start

People cast their vote during Saturday early voting at the Dunwoody Public Library in Dunwoody, Georgia, on Saturday, May 12, 2018. (REANN HUBER/REANN.HUBER@AJC.COM)

Credit: Reann Huber

Credit: Reann Huber

People cast their vote during Saturday early voting at the Dunwoody Public Library in Dunwoody, Georgia, on Saturday, May 12, 2018. (REANN HUBER/REANN.HUBER@AJC.COM)

Early voting turnout for Georgia’s primary election almost reached the same level as two years ago, according to figures released Monday by the Georgia Secretary of State’s Office.

A total of 320,443 voters cast ballots during the three-week advance voting period, compared to 329,043 in 2016. A total of 6.1 million active voters are registered in Georgia.

Election Day for the Democratic and Republican primaries is Tuesday, when voters can report to their regular precincts to decide on candidates for governor, Congress and statewide races.

Most of those who voted in advance, about 53 percent, requested Republican Party ballots. About 46 percent voted on Democratic Party ballots, and less than 2 percent used non-partisan ballots.

Georgia has open primaries, which means voters can choose either party’s ballot without having to register with that party.

In all, 299,263 people voted in-person at early voting locations. Another 21,180 people have mailed in their ballots so far.

Turnout rivaled the primary election in 2016, which was a presidential election year when more voters generally participate in elections.

Early voting has steadily gained popularity in Georgia in recent years. In the 2014 primary election, there were 248,104 ballots cast before Election Day.

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