The Georgia primary elections are being held on May 20, when Georgians will have the opportunity to vote for candidates for the U.S. House, U.S. Senate, Georgia Senate and House of Representatives, several local school boards, and several state executive positions, including governor.

The general elections for these positions are in November.

However, voters tend to be most active in presidential elections, while voter turnout is not as high when voters are choosing candidates running for positions at the state and congressional level. Only 17.8 percent of voters participated in the 2010 primary elections, according to data from American University, while 30.2 percent of the electorate voted in the 2008 primaries, a year in which Americans also elected a president.

Even though voters tend to focus more on their choices about who to elect for president, elected officials at the state, local and congressional levels have just as much influence over policies which affect voters’ daily lives.

School board officials, who do not receive as much media attention in election years as other candidates, make crucial decisions about the education children in their districts receive. They are involved with allocating resources and budgets for schools so that students can have access to resources such as textbooks or educational technology. They also are responsible for the fate of programs like art and music which are often the first to be cut in a budget crisis. Also, school board officials make decisions about districting, which can be controversial in districts where the resources available differ between schools.

The elections this year will also have a significant impact on legislation passed on the state level. In November, Georgia voters will vote on an amendment to the state constitution that would prevent future increases in the state income tax. Last month, the Georgia state legislature also passed the Safe Carry Protection Act, which is currently awaiting approval from Gov. Nathan Deal. This bill would allow firearms in churches, bars and government buildings which are not restricted by security personnel. Even though it may seem like extreme partisanship can prevent state legislatures from being productive, they often draft and pass influential legislation which affects voters’ daily lives, and voters should express their views by supporting candidates for these positions.

At the congressional level, Georgia is currently represented by Senators Saxby Chambliss and Johnny Isakson, along with 14 representatives. Both senators, and nine of the representatives, are Republicans, and Georgia does not currently send any women to Congress. However, Georgia saw a population increase of 3.1 percent from 2010 to 2013, and many people from other states are relocating to Georgia, so Georgia’s representation in Congress could change to reflect its new population. Chambliss is leaving office, and several candidates are running for his position, giving voters the opportunity to fill his seat with someone who accurately reflects their views. There is a fairly sizable amount of Democrats in Georgia—46 percent of Georgia voters chose Barack Obama in 2012, and this trend may continue with the elections this year.

While much focus is placed upon presidential election both by voters and by the media, it is important to participate in elections at all levels of government because the president is not the only person with power to pass important legislation.

In order to vote in the May 20 primary, voters must be registered by April 21. Voters can register online at sos.ga.gov.