Today is Primary Election Day in Georgia and voters will be going to the polls to vote in either the Democratic or Republican Primaries – or voters can choose a non-partisan ballot.  So what does a Primary Election really mean?

The Primary Election is the time when the two major political parties – Democrats and Republicans – are selecting their candidates to appear on the ballot in November.  In times past, this was done by a caucus of party members, but most states – including Georgia – have moved to the primary system where voters get to choose the candidates instead of just party members.  So why do you have to choose a ballot?  In Georgia, voters do not register to vote by political party.  That means you can vote as a Republican in this Primary Election, even if you have voted in the Democratic Primary in the past or if you voted on the Republican ballot last time, you can choose a Democratic ballot this time.

There are contested statewide races on both the Democratic and Republican ballots today, but the only Chattooga County contested races are on the Republican Ballot.  There are two Republican candidates vying for the seat on the Chattooga County Board of Education to represent the Lyerly District and two on the GOP ballot to represent the Menlo District on the board of education.  The only local Democrat on the ballot is Lyn Hall, the incumbent who currently represents Menlo on the board of education, and he has no challenger in the Primary.  Mr. Hall will face off with the winner of today’s Republican Primary  for the Menlo seat in November.  The winner of today’s election between the two running to represent Lyerly – Norvall Terry Henderson and Bonnie Fletcher – will be the new school board member since there is no Democrat in that race.

You can choose a non-partisan ballot, but the only local race you will see will be for state court judge and State Court Judge Jon Dennis has no opposition in this election.

Remember, when you go to vote today – be sure to bring a picture ID.