Early Voting For Dec. 4 Runoff Starts Monday

Early voting for the Dec. 4 runoff election begins at 8 a.m. Monday at the Office of Elections and Registration, 10 Court Street, across from the Courthouse in Watkinsville.

Early voting will continue through Friday, with the Office open each day from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Friday is the last day to mail absentee ballots.

Only two races are on the ballot.

Republican Brad Raffensperger from Johns Creek and Democrat John Barrow from Athens are competing for the Secretary of State Office.

Incumbent Republican Chuck Eaton from Atlanta and Democrat Lindy Miller from Decatur are seeking election to the Public Service Commission.

Raffensperger and Barrow spoke at Oconee County party meetings earlier this year and presented very different priorities for the Office of Secretary of State, with Raffensperger focusing on voter fraud and business services and Barrow focusing on voting security.

Neither Eaton nor Miller spoke in the county during the runup to the November election, but their web sites indicate both list low utility rates and jobs as their top priorities.

Turnout is likely to be low, with the winner in each race the candidate who motivates voters to go to the polls.

For more on the story, go to Oconee County Observations.

Pictured: Raffensperger (gesturing) and Barrow.