Do you know there's a statewide vote on Tuesday?

"I had no idea." "I do." "What's the vote?" Those were responses when folks were asked if they know of Tuesday's election.

That type of mixed reaction is not uncommon when it comes to special elections.  Alabama Secretary of State Beth Chapman predicts voter turnout to be around 20 percent Tuesday.

The reasons why: lack of publicity and the unusual timing.

One voter, Charlie Jones, didn't know there was an election. That upsets him. "I feel like that kind of strips our right to decide which way it should be," said Jones.

Chelsea resident Gary Hardy plans to vote on Tuesday. But when it comes to others not knowing, Hardy isn't surprised.  He says regardless of which side your own, the important thing is to actually get to the polls.

"I think people need to get out and vote and show officials why we put them there. It's the democratic process and it has to be done, so I'm glad they're leaving it up to the people to decide," said Hardy.

However, whether people plan to vote or not, there were plenty of opinions.

"I have a wife and three kids, we all live on a budget, the state needs to live on one too," said Hardy.

"I think it's for the better of the state and the economy and the welfare of Alabama," said Claire Peel, a voter.

"Yeah I don't think it's right unless it was going into my checking account," said another voter, Kayla Rossman.

You can get up-to-the-minute election results tonight after the polls close on our election website, www.MyVoteAlabama.com.

Copyright 2012 WBRC. All rights reserved.