Middle Georgia voters head to the polls for May 19 Primary Election

In Macon-Bibb County, election officials say voters have access to 31 polling locations throughout Election Day as residents cast ballots in local and statewide races.

MACON, Georgia (41NBC/WMGT) – Voters across the state of Georgia headed to the polls Tuesday for the May 19 primary election, including many here in Middle Georgia.

Community members also worked to encourage voter participation and help people get to the polls.

George Crawley said civic engagement and voting have always played an important role in his family.

“It is an important process, I have participated in voter education and voter civic matters since probably I was a child,” Crawley said. “I grew up watching my parents, in particular my aunt, going to vote every election. The election process is a foundational principle in our family so of course I want to extend that to other families in Central Georgia.”

Crawley also said he believes it is important for people to participate in the election process.

“It’s important for me in particular to participate in voting because our rights are being challenged right now by the current administration nationally,” he said.

Meanwhile, Thomas Gillon reminded voters to make sure they report to their assigned polling location before polls close.

“For election day we have 31 polling places across the county and depending on where you live that area has a particular polling place that you would go to,” Gillon said.

Election officials say once polls close at 7 p.m., precinct managers will begin delivering election materials and results to the county elections office.

“The managers will be bringing in the results once they close and get everything packed up so probably starting around 8 or 8:30,” Gillon said. “We should start seeing the first results and hopefully by 10 or 10:30, we’ll have all the results.”

Officials also reminded voters they have until 7 p.m. to cast their ballots or drop off absentee ballots at designated locations, including the Macon Mall and the post office.