MACON, Georgia (41NBC/WMGT) - Elmo Richardson is stepping down from his run as the Bibb County Commissioner for District 3, and he wants to see Gary Bechtel follow in his footsteps.

Richardson formally endorsed Bechtel today at the Bibb County Courthouse. He says whoever takes on the District 3 seat will face a lot of big challenges including monitoring the SPLOST and implementing the new service delivery strategy.

He believes Bechtel has the financial background to responsibly handle these, and other budget hurdles. Richardson says, if consolidation passes he's confident Bechtel will make that transition a smooth one.

MACON, Georgia (41NBC/WMGT) - A court order submitted to the Bibb County Board of Elections says people who vote for a certain party in the July 31st general primary may not vote for another party in the Board of Education primary race in August.

The board met Tuesday night to discuss the issue.

Elections supervisor Elaine Carr tells 41NBC that voters may not change party allegiances once they vote.

If a voter chooses to register for a party and vote in the July 31st general primary, that person may not vote for another party when the Bibb Board of Education primary is held on August 21st, or on September 18th when, if necessary, a runoff will be held for that race.

"The judge made the ruling that the parties can not alter from the time the voter begins voting," says Carr.  "If they vote on July 31st, that party stays through September 18th."

Carr also tells us the Board of Education will be listed on the July 31st ballot, but no votes will count for that election until the August 21st primary.

MACON, Georgia (41NBC/WMGT) - The chairman of the Democratic Party of Georgia made a stop in Macon tonight, rallying for President Barack Obama's re-election.

The Bibb County Democratic Party held a meet-and-greet with Mike Berlon, followed by a reception at city hall.

Berlon tells 41NBC he's pleased with Thursday's Supreme Court decision to uphold the Affordable Care Act.

"It was a great victory, I think, for not just Georgians or Democrats but for all Americans," says Berlon.  "I don't think anybody expected such a rousing affirmation by the Supreme Court but I think in the long run it's going to be great for everybody."

The deadline to register to vote is just a few days away.  You have until Monday to register for the July 31st primary elections.