Even though turnout is expected to be light for Tuesday’s primary runoff, but it could be better in Gwinnett with a heated local state Senate race.

Former Lawrenceville City Councilman P.K. Martin and former Gwinnett County Commissioner Mike Beaudreau are vying for the seat held for more than 20 years by Sen. Don Balfour (R-Snellville).

Balfour failed to garner enough votes in the May primary.

Gwinnett Elections Director Lynn Ledford says at least as many absentee ballots have been mailed for the runoff as for the primary election.

“Obviously those are local gentlemen… they have both been involved in local politics for quite a while and they have both been doing very well with their campaigns,” she tells WSB’s Sandra Parrish.

Some Gwinnett voters will also decide the runoff between Republicans Mike Collins and Jody Hice in the 10^th Congressional District race.

Ledford predicts turnout in Gwinnett will be between 10 and 20 percent.

Statewide more than 159,000 voters cast ballots early for the runoff that will also decide the Republican nomination for the U.S. Senate between Congressman Jack Kingston and businessman David Perdue.