A pivotal primary election marked by low voter turnout will be decided next month by a runoff race between two leading Democratic Party contenders.
The Georgia Public Service Commission is a five-member elected body that determines rate prices for utility companies, including Georgia Power, the state’s largest electricity provider.
Only about 205,000 Georgians out of more than 7.4 million active voters, which is slightly less than 3% of eligible voters, participated in this year’s PSC primary races, according to the secretary of state’s office. This comes despite local and national media attention on the election, which could impact how much Georgians pay for electricity for years to come.
Georgians pay some of the highest utility bills in America, and Black Georgians, whose homes tend to be less energy efficient, tend to have higher electric bills than most.
PSC commissioners have been criticized for supporting six Georgia Power rate hikes over the past two years. The average Georgia Power residential customer is paying $516 more per year than they were two years ago as a result.
Yet only 1% of Black active voters cast ballots in the election, according to secretary of state data. For white voters, the turnout rate was 1.4%.
Read More: How this Statewide Election Impacts Your Power Bills
It’s the lowest turnout race in modern memory regardless of the stakes, according to Mike Hassinger, spokesperson for the secretary of state’s office.
“There may have been a lower primary at some point in Georgia history, but as far back as anyone can remember, this is the lowest turnout rate,” Hassinger told Capital B Atlanta on Wednesday.
A total of eight candidates were on the ballot Tuesday in two separate PSC primary races. Daniel Blackman was disqualified for not living in District 3 for at least a year prior to the general election in November.
Incumbent PSC Commissioner Tim Echols cruised to victory over fellow Republican challenger Lee Muns in their District 2 primary race. Echols, whose district includes most of eastern Georgia, received more than 75% of ballots cast in the contest to Muns’ 24%.
“I am grateful to Republicans who value our low rates and grid reliability — allowing us to stay the #1 state to do business,” Echols told Capital B Atlanta via text message Tuesday night. “Our Public Service Commission is laser focused on protecting Georgia families.”
Candidate Keisha Sean Waites received the unofficial lion’s share of votes cast (46%) in a field of District 3 Democratic primary contenders, but she didn’t receive the 50% plus one majority required by state law to avoid a runoff.
Fellow Democrat Peter Hubbard came in second with about 33% of the vote. Their runoff election will take place on July 15, according to the secretary of state’s office.
Read More: Meet the Candidates Who May Decide What Happens With Your Electric Bill
Waites said she and her team spent Tuesday night filling out donor thank-you cards at a campaign office in Atlanta. She expressed excitement and gratitude for receiving the most votes cast so far in the race.
“We’re thankful that the voters have chosen us to be their voice in the state of Georgia,” Waites said. “We certainly look forward to advancing that conversation and in doing the work to make our case as to why we believe we’re the best candidate to serve in this role.”
Hubbard, who watched the returns from his home in Edgewood, also expressed appreciation for advancing to the runoff.
“I’m just super grateful to the voters for their support, and I look forward to making the case as to why I’m the best candidate,” he told Capital B Atlanta on Wednesday.
