MACON, Ga. — The Georgia Secretary of State's office is moving forward with plans to purge nearly 480,000 people from the state's voter rolls, targeting residents who have not participated in any local, state or federal election over the past eight years.

Jocelyn Smith, a Cochran mother who has been a Georgia voter for two years, supports the initiative.

"I think it's a good thing that they are trying to keep things moving smoothly," Smith said.

She also hopes the move will make voters more politically active.

"I'm hoping no matter what that people absolutely will step up and see that, hey, it's been so long, and maybe it will help with the election process," Smith added.

Thomas Gillon, election supervisor for the Bibb County Board of Elections, said voters who have participated in

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