Early Voting Starts April 27 in Oconee County for High-Stakes Primaries
The Oconee County Board of Elections has officially announced that early in-person voting for Georgia’s general primaries will begin Monday, April 27, running through May 15. This crucial window gives voters a head start to decide key races that could reshape Georgia’s political landscape.
Advance voters can cast ballots at the Oconee County Administrative Building, located at 7635 Macon Highway in Watkinsville. The building is open from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday, and from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturdays, May 2 and May 9. No early voting will be available on Sundays.
Key Races, Candidates, and Ballots
This election cycle features prominent contests, including the Republican and Democratic primaries for the U.S. House District 10 seat, currently held by Republican Mike Collins. The Republican contenders are Jeff Baker, Houston Gaines, and Ryan Millsap. On the Democratic side, candidates include Pamela “Pam” Delancy, Alexandra “Lexy” Doherty, and John Dority.
On the state level, the spotlight includes three Oconee County seats in the Georgia General Assembly. Incumbent Bill Cowsert is vacating his District 46 seat to run for attorney general. Candidates vying to succeed him include Republicans Michael Broun, Doug McKillip, Marc McMain and Democrats William Gaulden and Ray Smith.
The departure of Houston Gaines to run for Congress opens up House District 120. Republicans Gary “Ward” Black Jr. and Chad Paton face Democrat Suzanna Karatassos in this competitive race. Meanwhile, House District 121 incumbent Democrat Eric Gisler seeks reelection against Republican Mack “Dutch” Guest IV, both unopposed in their primaries.
Ballot Options and Absentee Voting
Georgia’s open primary system allows voters to select Democratic, Republican, or Nonpartisan ballots. The nonpartisan ballot covers judicial races, including unopposed Superior Court Judges Lisa Lott and Eric Wayne Norris, and concludes with a significant referendum on the renewal of Oconee County’s 1% Special Purpose Local Option Sales Tax (SPLOST).
Both Democratic and Republican ballots carry multiple important statewide and local races, including judicial contests and the SPLOST referendum. Notably, the Democratic ballot excludes county Board of Commissioners and Board of Education races due to no candidates running on that party’s ticket this cycle.
The Democratic ballot also includes seven nonbinding questions from the state and county party organizations, while the Republican ballot contains eight state party questions designed to gauge voter opinions.
During early voting hours, a drop box for absentee ballots will be available inside the Administrative Building, providing an alternative for voters who prefer mail-in ballots.
Why This Matters to Voters
With primaries determining which candidates will represent the parties in the November general election, early voting offers Oconee County residents an important chance to weigh in now. Voter turnout in primaries can have an outsized impact on party control at both the state and federal levels.
The SPLOST referendum is also a decisive issue, affecting local funding for public infrastructure, schools, and services in Oconee County. The renewal of this tax levy could drive significant community investment in years to come.
Next Steps for Voters
Residents are encouraged to review the full list of candidates and ballot questions on the Oconee County Board of Elections website, where sample ballots are posted for all parties. An upcoming article will cover details from the April 21 candidate forum to help voters make informed choices ahead of early voting.
Oconee County voters should prioritize marking their calendars now for early voting beginning April 27, and plan trips to the Administrative Building on weekdays or the two designated Saturdays to ensure their voices are heard.
This election cycle marks a pivotal moment as Georgia’s political dynamics evolve—every vote cast in early voting counts.
