‘It’s a patriotic duty’: Georgia voters cast ballots for 2022 primaries

KINGSLAND, Ga. — Calling it a busy day at the polls would be an understatement. Voters across Georgia have cast their ballots for this year’s primary election.

This comes after record early voting numbers. More than 700,000 early votes were cast by Friday, the last day of the three-week early voting period, according to Georgia’s secretary of state.

The votes will determine who goes on to campaign for the state’s top offices in November’s general election.

Action News Jax spent much of the day Tuesday outside of a polling location in Kingsland to gauge how voters are feeling about these heated races.

RELATED: Stacey Abrams, Democratic candidate for Georgia Gov., aims to recapture energy of first campaign

Kingsland resident Anthony Corich said he believes there will be some surprises. He shared why he showed up to the poll. “I just think it’s my right and my duty as an American to have a part in this and to not sit by the sidelines and let other people make that decision,” Corich said. “So, I just want to do my part.”

Incumbent governor Brian Kemp and former senator David Perdue are the Republican front runners for governor, while Democrat Stacey Abrams runs unopposed.

“We always choose to vote,” said Kingsland resident Paul Coon. “It’s a patriotic duty. My whole family -- we vote as a block. We come together. We vote and go about our daily business. It’s something we’ve always done. My daughter has voted since she turned 18.”

Former Vice President Mike Pence has backed Kemp, and former President Donald Trump has endorsed Perdue.

Some voters in Georgia say endorsements don’t sway their opinions.

RELATED: GOP gubernatorial hopeful Perdue doubles down on 2020 election fraud claims in exclusive interview

“I did my research on the candidates themselves to see what they stood for,” Coon said. “Not what the peripheral people were saying about them and who sponsored them and who endorsed them. Those don’t get me anywhere. I vote for the guy who I feel is going to do the best job for me.”

Kingsland resident and local pastor Matthew Pettus Jr. said he and his wife studied the ballot before arriving at the polls. They knew exactly who they wanted to vote for. “Our democracy is under attack right now,”  Pettus Jr. said. " I feel that way, and I feel the urgency and importance to come out and vote.”

His wife, Mattie Pettus, agreed. “Our ancestors fought for this day,” Pettus said. “We need to continue to have our voting right. Young people need to get out and vote. They think that their votes don’t count, but it really does.

Pettus Jr. said if you have the opportunity to vote -- you should take it.

“People before us have fought, died, and bled for this right to vote,” Pettus Jr said. “Especially for us as minorities, as easy as they could throw away Roe v. Wade; they could throw away our right to vote if we allow it.”

Polls are open from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Tuesday.

Stay with Action News Jax on-air and online for the latest.

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