Rural Georgia voters weigh in ahead of election as residents find common ground

In Metter, Georgia, wherever nan organization is still cleaning up aft Hurricane Helene, electrician Brad Jones is concerned astir what feels for illustration nan adjacent large wind — nan election.

"From nan economy standpoint, from nan separator standpoint to cost of groceries, there's a batch riding connected this election," Jones said.

Jones, a longtime personnel and now chairman-elect of nan region Board of Commissioners, supports erstwhile President Donald Trump, on pinch astir of his neighbors. Metter is successful Candler County, which Trump carried 70-30 successful 2020.

Since 2000, Rural voters person progressively favored nan Republican Party, but stirring successful this portion of agrarian Georgia is quiet support for Harris.

"I don't statement up pinch either party. I'm much of that personification who I americium perfectly going to spell towards nan campaigner themselves," resident Tiffany Lee said.

Lee and her hubby Sean raise 4th horses successful Metter and ain a clothing shop nearby.

When asked if location is simply a benignant of awkward Harris voter, Lee said, "Absolutely. It's thing that's whispered about. There are a batch of Harris voters present — a lot."

For Brandon Byrd, who was calved and raised successful Metter, this is nan play of voter engagement — not for a circumstantial candidate, but for agrarian America. His task Georgia Ignites intends to activate and registry voters crossed nan state. On average, 80% of nan Georgians they registry are Black and 50% are nether nan property of 25.

"I consciousness for illustration group are tired, but group are tired of not being heard," Byrd said.

Trump and Harris worth nan agrarian ballot but for different reasons. Trump wants to tally up nan score, while Harris wants to suffer reddish counties for illustration Candler by little than Biden. Each barnstormed successful Savannah, an hr from Metter.

Jones and Lee person landed connected different choices for this election, but work together connected a woman's correct to choose.

"I don't wanna beryllium suppressed by different people's laws, meaning I don't want personification to show maine what to do pinch my body," Lee said.

"I still judge that a female should person nan correct to do pinch her assemblage what she wants to do," Jones said.

Shirley Hemley, Lee's 92-year-old neighbor, has a Harris motion successful beforehand of her house. She says it's nan first clip she's put up a run motion successful her yard.

"I've sewage to guidelines up for what I believe, and I dream Americans will guidelines up for what they cognize is nan correct thing," Hemley said.

For Byrd, his small-town roots and extended family mingle arsenic information and memory. His tattoo of a circumstantial day successful 1956 marks a turning point.

"February 4th, 1956. This is nan time connected grounds that my grandmother sewage registered to vote. So that's why I'm anchored successful this work. It's only but correct that I person this arsenic a reminder and I support doing my portion to do bully for different group arsenic well," Byrd said.

In a municipality wherever everyone knows everyone and agrarian often equals red, this portion of America would for illustration a connection and different look.

In:
• Georgia
• Politics
• 2024 Elections