Early voting starts in Augusta at four polling sites
AUGUSTA, Ga (WJBF) – Some Augusta voters are already having their say on the May 21st election and party primaries.
“I think it’s every person’s citizen duty to vote. You know that’s the only way you can affect change,” said Richard Lowe.
Voters in Augusta looking at a large ballot, and elections officials expecting more than a third of those registered to take part.
“I’m expecting between a 35 and 40 percent turnout. I mean you got five commissioners on the ballot, you got the Sheriff’s race, so there’s a lot of local offices that are on the ballot and as you say it, it’s a very big ballot,” said Richmond Country Elections Director Travis Doss.
Drawing a lot of voter interest is the referendum on the ballot that would allow the mayor to vote like the other commissioners changing the city charter.
“Yes,” said Linda Tilby,
“Why?”
“I think he should have a vote, I never understood why he didn’t,” she said.
“I don’t think he should have a vote because that then gives him the opportunity to come down on a particular side for a particular group of people,” said Melita Lowe.
Day one found not only early voting at the Municipal Building but also at the three satellite locations.
Diamond Lakes, Warren Road, and The Charles Evans Center on Highland, and keeping these locations operating during the entire early voting period will increase costs.
“This will probably cost us about $250-thousand, $100 thousand of that will probably be just with the satellite sites alone,” said Doss.
Early voting has started in Augusta and will run through Friday May 17th.
There will be one Sunday, May 12th, only at the Municipal Building.
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