How officials across the CSRA are preparing for Election Day
AUGUSTA, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) - Voters shattered records in both Georgia and South Carolina during early voting, but there are still tens of thousands of people who have not cast their ballots.
If you’re waiting for election day you may have some questions about Tuesday.
Richmond, Columbia, and Aiken counties all say they have seen incredible early voting turnout.
“I think the numbers from early voting show that voters are wanting to get out and vote so, yes, I do expect large numbers,” said Dana Burden, director of the Aiken County Board of Elections.
“We are still expecting a good turnout,” said Travis Doss, executive director for the Richmond County Board of Elections. “I think when it’s all said and done, we probably should have between a 70% to a 75% turnout, which would be really good.”
“So if we get 30% to turn out tomorrow, that will be good, 80% and it’s not bad,” said Nancy Gay, executive director for the Columbia County Board of Elections.
Will high early voting leave Ga. polls a ‘ghost town’ on Election Day?
Early voting records have been shattered in Georgia. On Election Day, can we expect long lines or will polling locations be a “ghost town,” as one election official suggests?
Columbia County had over 60,000 early voters and Gay says they have 110,000 active ed voters.
Richmond County had a 34% early voting turnout with over 51,000 early voters. Doss says they have over 129,000 active ed voters.
Aiken County had more than 52,000 early voters and Burden says they have about 130,000 active ed voters.
They all urge voters not to forget their photo ID when they head to the polls because you need it to vote in Georgia and South Carolina.
They also say it’s best to come prepared, and the best way is to review a sample ballot.
“You just need to educate yourself, do a little homework, familiarize yourself with a ballot, and then go vote,” said Gay.
“Go online and get a sample ballot, because a lot of people don’t realize that there are other things on the ballot other than the president,” said Doss. “There’s senate, there’s congress, there’s school board and there’s four questions that are on the ballot.”
Burden says she is still getting calls from people needing to know where their polling location is.
Depending on your county, some of these locations may be different than the last election.
Savannah Rapids Pavilion was unfortunately damaged in the hurricane, so those voters are going to move down the road to Stevens Creek Community Church,” said Gay.
Before you vote, check out the ballot topics in the CSRA
Besides the presidential race, here’s what’s on the ballot for Election Day in some of our local counties on both sides of the Savannah River.
“If you did used to vote at the building worship center, you want to make sure that you go over to the boys and girls club,” said Doss.
Doss also says if you normally vote at Belle-Terrace Presbyterian, voters have been moved back to Henry Brigham.
Aiken County says they did not have to move any polling locations.
If you have an absentee ballot, Doss says it’s too late to put it in the mail, so he encourages you to hand deliver your ballot to your board of elections office.
You can do that until 7 p.m. on election day.
In Columbia, County, officials say to plan accordingly, especially with the Columbia County Fair happening this week.
If your polling location is near the fairgrounds, expect fair traffic and take that into consideration.
If you are heading to the polls on Tuesday, they say to , voting has rules.
You cannot bring in anything d with a campaign or candidate and it is also against Georgia and South Carolina law to be on your phone or take a picture of your ballot.
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