Early Voting Opens April 27 in Oconee County for Critical Primaries
Oconee County, GA — Early voting for Georgia’s highly contested general primaries is officially launching April 27, running through May 15, the Oconee County Board of Elections announced. This marks a crucial window for voters to weigh in on key statewide and local races, including the hotly watched Republican primary to succeed U.S. Rep. Mike Collins in Georgia’s 10th Congressional District.
Advance in-person voting will be available weekdays from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the Oconee County Administrative Building, located at 7635 Macon Highway in Watkinsville. Voters may also cast ballots on the two Saturdays within the early voting period, May 2 and May 9, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. No early voting will take place on Sundays. A secure drop box for absentee ballots is open during the same hours inside the building.
Key Races to Watch: Federal and State Primaries Heat Up
The outcome of these primaries will determine who faces off in November’s general election for several pivotal offices. Most notably, Republican voters will select among Jeff Baker, Houston Gaines, and Ryan Millsap to replace Rep. Mike Collins in Washington as the U.S. House Representative for District 10. For the Democrats, candidates Pamela “Pam” Delancy, Alexandra “Lexy” Doherty, and John Dority are competing for the same seat.
On the state level, the primaries include contests for three Oconee County seats in the Georgia General Assembly. Incumbent State District 46 representative Bill Cowsert is running for Georgia Attorney General, leaving his seat open. Republicans Michael Broun, Doug McKillip, and Marc McMain face Democrats William Gaulden and Ray Smith in the race to succeed Cowsert.
Meanwhile, Houston Gaines, who is running for Congress, is vacating his Georgia House seat in District 120. The Republican candidates Gary “Ward” Black Jr. and Chad Paton, along with Democrat Suzanna Karatassos, seek to fill that position.
Democratic incumbent Eric Gisler of House District 121 is aiming for another term and will face Republican Mack “Dutch” Guest IV in November, as both primaries are uncontested.
Ballot Options and Voting Details
Georgia’s open primary system allows voters in Oconee County to choose any party ballot — Democratic, Republican, or Nonpartisan — regardless of party registration. The Nonpartisan Ballot contains judicial races, including unopposed incumbents Superior Court Judges Lisa Lott and Eric Wayne Norris, plus a significant referendum on continuing the county’s 1% Special Purpose Local Option Sales Tax (SPLOST) for infrastructure funding.
The Democratic ballot excludes local Board of Commissioners and Board of Education races as Democrats did not field candidates for those seats. It also includes seven nonbinding questions posed by the state and county Democratic parties. The Republican ballot features eight questions from the state Republican Party.
Voters can consult official sample ballots online at the Oconee County Board of Elections website for complete listings of candidates and issues. Additional insights will be provided following the April 21 candidate forum.
Why This Matters Now
This early voting window is a key moment for Oconee County and Georgia voters to shape leadership at multiple levels. With high-profile races for U.S. Congress and state offices, the primaries could shift Georgia’s political landscape ahead of the 2026 midterm elections.
For voters nationwide tracking shifting politics in rapidly growing suburban areas like Oconee County, these primaries provide a clear snapshot of emerging candidates and issues. Early voting offers flexibility and a chance to engage before Election Day.
What’s Next
Early voting begins Monday, April 27 and continues through Friday, May 15. Election Day for the general primaries follows shortly after. Residents are urged to review candidate files and ballot measures in advance to vote confidently. The Nevada Voice will continue coverage with updates on key races and candidate forums.
Voters can cast ballots weekdays 8 a.m.–5 p.m. and Saturdays 9 a.m.–5 p.m. at 7635 Macon Highway, Watkinsville, GA.
“This early voting period is crucial for voters to shape leadership locally and nationally — every vote counts.” — Oconee County Board of Elections spokesperson
Stay tuned for further insights on candidates and referendums as the primary season heats up.
