Pollworkers at DeKalb County's central early voting site were surprised by the heavier-than-expected turnout on this first day of early voting.
It wasn’t exactly crowded but the traffic was steady – in spite of the sample ballot that showed exactly two statewide runoffs for what are typically downballot races.
"I'm a senior citizen and I remember my grandparents not being able to vote. Every time I get the opportunity to vote, I vote," said Bette Ferrell, a DeKalb voter who showed up for this runoff despite the fatigue voters may have from the contentious and lengthy campaign season that only ended a few days ago.
This runoff may lack the national stature of the recent governor’s race. Yet the public service commission runoff between Democrat Lindy Miller and Republican Chuck Eaton has the issue of nuclear Plant Vogtle’s staggering cost overruns in its background.
And the within Secretary of State runoff between Republican Brad Raffensperger and Democrat John Barrow – there’s the contentious business of election management, once this one is finally over.
"They’re key elections," said Nancy Watkins, who plunged into the day’s early voting despite the ballot’s economy of contested races.
"We need a strong secretary of state who is going to control future elections, resolve our problems, get us new voting equipment. It’s a very important office," Watkins added. "And of course so is the public service commission."
Early voting will be merciful and quick - it ends Friday, Nov. 30.