MACON, Ga. — Voters in Central Georgia will be headed to the polls on June 9, but there are some key things you need to know if you plan on voting early or with an absentee ballot.
13WMAZ will continue to add links and stories to this guide throughout the election season on specific races, so be sure to bookmark it and check back throughout May.
WHEN TO VOTE
- Early Voting: May 18 - June 5
- Saturday Voting: May 30
- General Primary, Presidential Preference Primary, Nonpartisan General Election: June 9
- General Primary, Nonpartisan Election Runoff: August 11
- General Election: November 3
You can refer to this timeline by the Secretary of State for a more in-depth look at important dates.
WHERE TO VOTE - You can check your polling location the on the Secretary of State's My Voter Page. It also shows early polling locations.
ABSENTEE BALLOTS: Absentee ballots were mailed out to all voters due to COVID-19. If you choose to fill it out, make sure to mail it in time for it to be counted.
An application for an absentee ballot must be received by June 5 for the June 9 election, by Aug. 7 for the Aug. 11 runoff, and by Oct. 30 for the General Election on Nov. 3.
If you did not get a ballot, you can reach out to your local Board of Elections office to request one.
If you voted before the election was postponed, the Board of Elections is holding your Presidential Preference ballot, which will be counted with the others.
You will will still need to vote in the General Primary and Nonpartisan General Election and will receive a special ballot without the Presidential Preference candidates.
CHECK YOUR VOTING STATUS - You can always check your voting status on the Secretary of State My Voter Page. It'll ask you to enter your first initial, last name, county you're registered in, and date of birth.
REGISTER TO VOTE - You can register to vote on the Secretary of State's Online Voter Registration website. The page gives you the option to register online or print out an application to mail in. You can also update voter information like your name or address. You can register to vote as late as May 11 for the June 9 election.
If you don't have a license or state ID, you can complete a paper application and mail or deliver it to your county’s elections office. You can pick up an application from a local post office, library, or Board of Elections office.
Proof of Georgia residency is required when you register. That proof can include a current utility bill, bank statement, government check or another government document that shows your name and address.
QUESTIONS? - You can use this Secretary of State website to find a phone number or email for your county Board of Elections. Just select your county from the drop-down menu and hit submit.
LOCAL RACES
Houston County
Macon-Bibb
Mayor Candidates
- Lester Miller: Miller is an attorney and a small business owner. He is also a member of the Bibb County School Board and has been voted board president three times. Click here for a full profile.
- Larry Schlesinger: Schlesinger is the current District 2 commissioner in Bibb County and a retired rabbi. He's also a member of several boards, including Visit Macon and the MWA. Click here for a full profile.
- Blake Sullivan: Sullivan has owned businesses in forestry, real estate and venture investing. He is a board member for the Mercer University Innovation Center and The Rescue Mission of Middle Georgia and a member of the Macon Economic Development Commission and United States Lumber Coalition. Click here for a full profile.
- Cliffard Whitby: Whitby is the president and CEO of Whitby, Inc., a company that provides construction services. He has also served as the Chairman of the Macon-Bibb County Industrial Authority (MBCIA), the President of 100 Black Men of Macon-Bibb and the Tri-Chair of OneMacon. Click here for a full profile.
- Marc Whitfield: Marc Whitfield was the fifth candidate to qualify 2020 mayor's race. Whitfield says he has spent 35 years in finance, banking and business consulting, working for GEICO, BB&T, SunTrust and Wachovia/Wells Fargo banks. Click here for a full profile.
Macon-Bibb County Commission
- District 1: Valerie Wynn (incumbent), John Adams, Jr.
- District 2: Paul Bronson, Weston Stroud
- District 4: Mallory Jones (incumbent), George Thomas
- District 5: Seth Clark, Louie Hargrove, Carlton Kitchens, Erion Smith
- District 6: Robert Abbott, Donald Druitt, Sr., Raymond Wilder
- District 7: Bill Howell, Tim Rivers, Bonnie Thompson
- District 8: Stacy Jenkins, Michele Parks, Virgil Watkins, Jr. (incumbent)
- District 9: Brendalyn Bailey, Al Tillman (incumbent)
School Board
- District 1: Tera Edwards, Myrtice Champion Johnson, Michael McKeever
- District 3: Kristin Hanlon, Larry Tard
- District 4: Juawn Jackson, David Sumrall
- District 5: Jill Thomley, Sundra Woodford (incumbent)
- District 6: James Freeman, Albert Hall
Macon Water Authority District 2: Desmond Brown, Merritt Johnson, Mike McIntosh
STATEWIDE RACES
Congressional Primaries
State Senate
State House
- District 147: Heath Clark (incumbent), Miranda Britt
- District Sanford Bishop (incumbent), Don Cole, Vivian Childs
- District 8: Austin Scott (incumbent), Danny Ellyson
13WMAZ LISTENING LAB
The 13WMAZ Listening Lab traveled to all over Macon in February to hear directly from voters what they want candidates to focus on.