Bibb Co. Voters Cast Ballots on Saturday, Candidates Hit Campaign Trail

MACON, Georgia (41NBC/WMGT) – As people hit the polls on Saturday, candidates for Macon-Bibb’s new consolidated government took to the streets vying for votes.

This Saturday was the only option for voters looking to cast their ballots early on a weekend. Cindy Mitchell said Saturday is all about convenience.

“It’s just difficult to find time through the week to come out here and vote,” Mitchell said.

She was one of 420 voters who packed Macon-Bibb County’s Board of Elections office this weekend, voting to select the next leader of Macon and Bibb County.

Jerry Habersham also waited in line to vote for who he found fit for the role.

“Someone with a progressive outlook on moving Macon and Bibb County forward into the 21st century,” Habersham said.

Just blocks away from the Board of Elections office, hopefuls and supporters worked to gain votes. Pounding the pavement and carrying signs, supporters for Sam Hart and C.Jack Ellis lined the streets of Eisenhower Parkway and Pio Nono Avenue.

At a political forum on Saturday afternoon at New Pleasant Grove Baptist Church, Macon-Bibb mayoral candidates Charles Bishop, David Cusino, C.Jack Ellis, Sam Hart and write-in candidate Anthony Harris went face-to-face with the public about the issues. Current mayor and candidate Robert Reichert and candidate Joe Allen were not in attendance.

Several candidates for commissioner positions including District 1 candidate Harold Young, District 2 candidates Paul Bronson and Henry Ficklin, District 3 candidate Elaine Lucas, District 4 candidate Theron Ussery, District 5 candidate Louis Tompkins, District 6 candidate Ed Defore and District 8 candidates Regina Davis, Charles Jones and Virgil Watkins were also at Saturday’s forum.

With just nine days from Election Day, the race is on for those looking to get in on the new government. Early voting ends on September 13 and election day is Tuesday September 17.

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