Primary absentee balloting appears light

Figures released yesterday indicate that both in Oconee and across the state absentee balloting for the primary elections appears light.  And that raises questions about the overall voter turnout that the Democrats and the Republicans will see for their June 10 primaries.  By yesterday, nearly 18 thousand absentee ballots had been issued statewide.  By comparison, about 23 thousand absentee ballots were cast in the 2010 statewide primaries—the last gubernatorial election year primary.  The Oconee Elections Office reports around 500 applications to vote absentee.  Joy Brooks, the elections director, considers that number low.