MACON, Ga. — We are less than a week away from election day. Georgians have spent the last three weeks breaking early voting records. On Tuesday, more will cast their vote in key elections but what issues are driving voters to the polls?
13WMAZ spent the month of October on the road listening to you and asking what you care about most and what priorities you want candidates to focus on. We made stops at the Georgia National Fair in Perry, Georgia College and State University in Milledgeville and Dublin at the Civitan Club Fair.
In addition to the three in-person Listening Labs, we also posted the survey online for those who were unable to attend but still have their voice heard. Most of you said the reason you vote is because it is a civic duty and to help make the country and state better.
There were more than 790 people surveyed in all between in-person and online.
Here is a look at the issues driving voters according to the data collected from the Listening Labs.
- Inflation: 344 people said it was key issue for them
- Abortion: 316
- Violent Crime: 294
- Ethics in government: 275
- Taxes: 248
- Education: 246
- Federal state spending: 234
- Guns: 235
- Health Care Cost/Access: 233
- Immigration: 228
- Public Safety: 184
- Good Paying Jobs: 154
- Poverty and Homelessness: 132
- Climate Change: 126
- Teacher Pay: 107
- Election Integrity: 102
- Race Relations:100
- Infrastructure: 89
- Natural Resources: 62
- Supply Chain: 54
- LGBTQ Rights: 54
- Blight: 37
- Internet Access 35
- Transportation: 25
Here are some the standout statements from the surveys and conversations we gathered at the Listening Labs on the top four issues :
Inflation
- Michael Thomas:“It takes me double to fill up my tank now, and groceries are like 140% more expensive.”
Abortion
- Caroline Bell: “It’s terrifying to me to think that if something were to happen and I was to end up pregnant, it isn’t easy and accessible to me to go access an abortion, and it might not be soon in Georgia.”
- Christina King: “We need God back and ProLife.”
Violent Crime
- Laurens County resident Darrik Vickers: “I think more police presence, just interacting with kids, teenagers.”
Ethics in government
- Byron resident Roger Hayes: “(I want) politicians to stop bickering and talk out the issues.”
- Houston County resident Daniel Jones: “When can we begin term limits for all political offices?”
- Linda Gove: “I marked that I’m concerned about the integrity of my vote.”
- Hudman S. Evans: People’s willingness to elect officials that are not qualified.”
13WMAZ Listening Lab Crew
LISTENING LAB: