Local leaders urge Bibb, Macon residents to vote | Elections | Macon.com

Community leaders Wednesday urged Bibb County residents to vote in the Sept. 17 election, which will decide the new Macon-Bibb County consolidated government.

Bibb County Commissioner Lonzy Edwards and Macon City Councilmen Lonnie Miley and Henry Gibson — none of whom are running for offices in the new government — were joined at Rosa Parks Square by the Rev. Walter Glover and labor leader Henry Gallimore, asking voters to cast a ballot.

Edwards said he was discouraged that only about 5,000 people had shown up through Tuesday’s early voting. With about 93,000 registered voters, Edwards said that represents a small fraction of the population.

Miley said he hopes at least 50 percent of voters turn out, but he wants a number closer to 70 percent or more.

“This is a new start,” Miley said. “There are no incumbents. We’re going to have a new government Jan. 1.”

Edwards said he wasn’t worried that voters might stay away from the polls because of some early voting snafus at the Board of Elections office.

“I’m satisfied that the election officials are running an honest election,” he said.

via Local leaders urge Bibb, Macon residents to vote | Elections | Macon.com.