As Georgia faces a record-breaking early voting turnout prediction ahead of the Nov. 3 midterm elections, Macon citizens are heading to the polls early to avoid Election Day crowds and ensure their voices are heard.
According to the Georgia Secretary of State’s Office, 188,667 Georgians voted in person on October 13, the first day of early voting. That’s about a 40% increase over the 134,962 people who voted on the first day of the 2022 midterms.
The growth is also evident locally. According to the Bibb County Board of Elections, 2,535 citizens cast ballots on the first day of early voting, up from 1,506 in 2022, a 68% increase.
81-year-old Macon voter Leola Nixon votes early to avoid the congestion and hassle of waiting until Election Day. “At my age, I need to come on down and get it over with before everybody starts coming in,” said Nixon. “People are getting off of work and everything, so just come over and get it done.”
Nixon said that early voting benefits older residents, who may face transportation issues or prefer to avoid busy polling locations.
“If you don’t vote, don't complain about anything you might not agree with later because you had a voice and you didn’t choose to use your voice,” Nixon said.
Ellen McClendon, 76, who has voted since she was 18, said she decided to vote early because of the uncertainty around Election Day. “With today’s environment, we don’t know what the atmosphere is going to be like on Election Day,” McClendon said.
Georgia has surpassed 1 million in-person early votes, according to the Secretary of State’s Office. Election officials also accepted another 48,916 absentee ballots, raising the statewide total to 1,055,931 ballots.
Although early voting participation has increased, it doesn’t mean overall voter turnout will rise. Some residents may simply choose to vote earlier rather than wait until Election Day. Georgia voters can cast their ballots at any early voting location in their county, rather than being limited to their assigned Election Day district.
According to the Macon-Bibb County Board of Elections, residents can vote early at three locations: the Board of Elections office at Macon Mall, 3661 Eisenhower Parkway; the Elaine H. Lucas Senior Center, 132 Willie Smokie Glover Drive and the Theron Ussery Park Recreation Center, 815 N. Macon Park Drive.
All locations offer early voting Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Saturday voting is available Oct.24 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
