JONES COUNTY, Ga. — Tuesday was an eventful day as folks across Central Georgia headed to the polls for the 2024 Georgia Primary Elections.
Some of the most important people of the day are the poll workers who volunteer to make it all happen.
Four Georgia College and State University students helped run some of the polling precincts in Milledgeville.
This is part of an internship that gives these students the opportunity to receive an election administration certificate.
These students say they're happy to serve the community and educate them on their right to vote.
Lauren Trinkwalder is an upcoming senior at Georgia College.
"It feels important to be a part of a civic process like this," Trinkwalder said,
Trinkwalder is studying political science and is currently in the election administration certificate program.
To finish the program, students have to complete 120 volunteer hours, including working as a poll worker.
This was Trinkwalder's first time as a poll worker, and she said the younger generations need to pay closer attention to politics.
"There's not a lot of people my age showing up and showing out," Trinkwalder said. "Being a familiar face or a younger face behind the table I think is inspirational to others to come and show up."
Working alongside Trinkwalder is Colin Hall. Hall just graduated with his bachelor degree in political science and was the first one in his class to receive the election administration certificate.
Now, he is an assistant manager at the Jones County voting precinct.
"One day, my goal is to serve the people of Jones County, but even at a young age, I know that I can do that through working the polls," Hall said. "To get a hands on perspective on elections so we can take over and be the next generation to step up and run our elections, because that's what our country and our democracy thrives on is free and fair elections."
Over at the Jones County Senior Center, students Emily Lanham and Nicholas Wimbish were helping out.
Emily is a poll worker and says voting can be an easy process but it's an important one.
"My generation has kind of fallen off a little bit in terms of fulfilling our civic duties and voting," Lanham said. "I'm really excited for my generation to become more involved in voting and in politics in general, because I think that that leads us to a government that is more reflective and mirrors our needs and our wants and I think that's just better for society as a whole."
Nicholas Wimbish is a manager who just graduated with his bachelor degree in political science. He says as a poll worker, they are making democracy happen.
"It's been really eye-opening to see how much really goes into running an election and my personal appreciation for all poll workers across the state," Wimbish said.
There will be another election in June for Georgia's runoff. These students said they're looking forward to volunteering during that time too.