Voters in the state are reporting to their regular precincts to decide on candidates for governor, Congress and statewide races in the Democratic and Republican primaries.
Yvonne Spear was one of the first people to arrive at the Jefferson Park Recreation Center in East Point Tuesday morning. She had to be there early in order to make it to her 8:30 a.m. shift at a hotel, but for her not voting was not an option.
“It’s the most important vote, probably in history,” she said while waiting for the polls to open. “Get out ladies, get out and vote, please. I’m depending on you. Let’s rise up.”
The reason she thinks it’s such an important race: a woman could be elected Georgia’s next governor. The battle is between two Democratic women and five Republican men: Stacey Abrams (D), Casey Cagle (R), Stacey Evans (D), Hunter Hill (R), Brian Kemp (R), Clay Tippins (R) and Michael Williams (R).
READ | The forces that will decide Georgia's primary election
READ | Understanding Georgia's race for governor
Dana Render was also at the polls before they opened. Like Spear, she declined to say who she voted for, but said it was important to make her voice heard about who she wants for governor and other congressional seats.
Render said voting is a right that “a lot of people didn’t always have, so it’s important that to make sure that since we do now, that we actually utilize it.”
“If there’s a decision that comes down that we don’t like, if we don’t speak and we don’t actually vote then we can’t really complain about it,” Render said.
By 7:30 a.m., a steady stream of voters were walking in and out of the building.
Other big primary races includes Congressional races, statehouse seats and down-ticket statewide contests such as state schools superintendent.
If you're one of the 320,443 voters who cast ballots during the three-week advance voting period, pat yourself on the back and stay home.
Like Intown Atlanta News Now on Facebook | Follow us on Twitter
