Today's primary will determine the outcome of many races, so it's essential that voters get to the polls. In the following key races, The Atlanta Journal-Constitution recommends these candidates to voters:

U.S. Senate, Democratic primary: Jim Martin

U.S. House, Georgia District 5, Democratic primary: John Lewis. Because no Republican filed, the winner of the primary takes the seat.

DeKalb County CEO, Democratic primary: Burrell Ellis. Because no Republican filed, the winner of the Democratic primary takes the seat.

Fulton County sheriff, Democratic primary: Theodore Jackson

DeKalb County sheriff, Democratic primary: Thomas Brown. Because no Republican filed, the winner of the primary takes the seat.

Clayton County sheriff, Democratic primary: Kem Kimbrough

Clayton County chairman, Democratic primary: Eldrin Bell. Because no Republican filed, the winner of the primary takes the seat.

Clayton County Board of Education

District 2, Democratic primary: Lindsey McDaniel

District 3, Democratic primary: Jessie Goree. Because no Republican filed, the winner of the primary takes the seat.

District 4, Nonpartisan to fill an unexpired term: Deverick A. Williams

District 5, Democratic primary: Phyllis Moore

District 6, Democratic primary: Mary Baker. Because no Republican filed, the winner of the primary takes the seat.

District 7, Democratic primary: C. Denese Sampson. Because no Republican filed, the winner of the primary takes the seat.

District 8, Nonpartisan to fill an unexpired term: Ed Rigdon

— Maureen Downey, for the editorial board (mdowney@ajc.com)