More voters turned out for the 2020 election in Gilmer County than were registered in 2016, but it was a lower percentage overall.
On the election ending Nov. 3, 16,576 voters cast ballots in the county, 4,907 on Nov. 3, 8,150 in early voting, 3,506 mail-in ballots with 13 provisional ballots. This results in a 74.45 percent turnout out of 22,264 registered voters.
By contrast, only 15,748 voters were registered in the county in 2016. A total of 12,896 votes were cast for a turnout rate of 81.89 percent.
“I am pleased with how the election process went,” said Election Superintendent Scott Chastain.
“I think early voting went real well, and the day of the election went better than June and August.
“With the continued training of the poll officers, we were able to conduct the election without any major issues.”
Gilmer County Chief Registrar Tammy Watkins said the count was finished by 12:30 a.m. Wednesday morning and everyone was released by 1:17 a.m.
“Wonderful,” she said. “Election night was good. It went smooth.”
Gilmer County certified results Monday morning and reported them to the state.
“We have uploaded our official and complete count to the state,” Watkins said.
Chastain said there have been no reports of problems in Gilmer County.
“I have not been contacted by anyone claiming fraud or misconduct,” he said.
Paperwork is being finished for the submission to the Georgia Secretary of State’s office as two runoffs are being eyed on the horizon.
A Dec. 1 date is possible for a public service commission runoff statewide. This will be followed by a senate runoff in both races — incumbent Republican David Perdue against Democratic candidate John Ossoff and incumbent Republican Kelly Loeffler against Democratic candidate Raphael Warnock — scheduled for Jan. 5.
Precinct breakdowns and totals for Gilmer County are listed starting on page 7A.