Primary 2024: Any problems at the polls? Who's ahead? Follow live updates

Staff Reports
Updated ·2 min read
Voters enter the poling location at First Presbyterian Church during the Presidential Primary on Tuesday, March 12, 2024 in Savannah, Ga.
Voters enter the poling location at First Presbyterian Church during the Presidential Primary on Tuesday, March 12, 2024 in Savannah, Ga.

Chatham, Bryan and Effingham voters head to the polls today to cast their votes to determine which Democratic and Republican candidates will face each other in November for seats at the federal, state and county levels ― although some contests today will determine the victor.

Whomever nabs the most votes between incumbent Republican State Senator Ben Watson (District 1) and challenger Beth Majeroni will take office in January 2025 as there is no Democratic competitor.

Same for the race for Chatham County Commission District 1 between Republican contendors Realtor Austin Hill and retired Chatham fire chief Wayne Noha.

May 21 also determines who will sit on the Savannah-Chatham County Public School System's Board of Education. Incumbents in District 1, 3 and 7 face challengers. District 2 representative Dionne Hoskins-Brown will serve her fourth term in office, unchallenged.

A voter casts their ballot inside the First Presbyterian Church polling location for the general primary election on May 21, 2024.
A voter casts their ballot inside the First Presbyterian Church polling location for the general primary election on May 21, 2024.

Chatham County Elections Supervisor Billy Wooten said there were no major issues throughout the morning. However, voting was "slow," Wooten said.

Unofficial tallies show 16,855 people in Chatham County cast early and absentee ballots for the May 21 primary, which does not include figures for the Presidential Primary that was held in March. During the general primaries held in June 2020, a few months after the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, more than 36,530 voters cast ballots.

In Bryan County, voters will decide if incumbent County Chairman Carter Infinger deserves another term or whether businessman Buck Holly gets a turn. In Effingham, the choice for county chairman is between former Rincon councilman Damon Rahn or homebuilder Alex Long.

Savannah Morning News will provide live updates after polls close at 7 p.m.

A voter casts their ballot inside the First Presbyterian Church polling location for the general primary election on May 21, 2024.
A voter casts their ballot inside the First Presbyterian Church polling location for the general primary election on May 21, 2024.

Chatham County Results >>

Bryan County Results >>

Effingham County Results >>

Georgia Congressional and Statewide Results >>

LIVE BLOG

5:53 p.m. ⅼ Rincon, Effingham

At Rincon Church of God, Poll Manager Dorothy Mitchell said more than 140 voters came through by 5:45.

Effingham County resident Holly Roy, who voted at another location, did not have to wait to cast her ballot and stressed the importance of heading to the polls.

“We voted this afternoon and only one other person came in,” said Roy. “There were many things to vote on besides the Judges and incumbent officials. We've voted since we were 18, and if you don't vote, don't complain about the outcomes.”

5:18 p.m. ⅼ Springfield, Effingham

More than 140 voters turned out to Bethel Lutheran Church in Springfield. According to the poll manager, all systems have been functioning properly throughout the day.

Mary Jane Heyman, who lives in unincorporated Effingham County, said she never misses an opportunity to cast her ballot.

“I vote because it’s important,” said Heyman. “If I don’t vote, I can’t complain later.”

This article originally appeared on Savannah Morning News: Live updates for primary contests in Chatham, Bryan, Effingham counties