It’s time to choose.

Early voting in the primary election started Monday, May 2, across Georgia.

Georgia has open primaries and no one is required to register as a member of either party.

For Thomas County voters, early voting will run 8 a.m.-5 p.m., each weekday through May 20, and includes two Saturdays from 9 a.m.-5 p.m., on May 7 and May 14, at the Thomas County Elections and Registration Office. 

Primary Election Day is scheduled 7 a.m.-7 p.m., May 24, at various polling places.

A lot is riding on this election.

The selection of candidates to run for governor, lieutenant governor, secretary of state and other statewide and local offices in the general election will be decided.

Locally, some of the primary elections will decide who wins the race since only candidates from one party are running, or in the case of the school board, the election is non-partisan.

Ever since the 2020 election, there have been controversial laws enacted and proposed that threaten to curtail voting. Many people have spoken loudly in opposition to these measures that would make voting more difficult and imperil democracy. 

But as with all elections, voter apathy seems to be the greatest threat to the democratic process.

We encourage all registered voters to cast a ballot.

Though it’s too late to register to vote in the primary, we encourage other residents to register now to vote in the general election in November.