Augusta, GA
‘A lot is at stake’: Local voters weigh in on presidential race
AUGUSTA, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) – We are just 18 days away from election day, and Georgia has already seen record-breaking numbers at the polls in early voting.
In Richmond County so far, more than 11,000 voters have shown up at the polls.
In Columbia County so far, more than 12,000 voters have shown up at the polls.
Election officials say the numbers speak for themselves about the urgency voters are having right now with this election.
Voters say it’s now or never for the next four years if they don’t act now.
“There’s a lot at stake, a lot of rights at stake, a lot of what could happen depending on who gets in office,” said Richmond County voter, Amaya Swafford.
A look at Helene’s impact on mail-in voting
Add mail-in voting to the growing list of things Helene has impacted as we’re just 19 days out from election day. A major backlog of mail means there are concerns absentee ballots won’t make it in on time.
Voters like Swafford are making sure their voice is represented.
“It’s nice that so many people care. So that makes me happy, but it also makes me nervous, because the race is so tight,” she said.
The presidential race remains neck and neck with national polls favoring Harris.
But in key battleground states like Georgia, Trump is taking the edge.
Richmond County’s Board of Elections Executive Director Travis Doss says the urgency with voters is being reflected in the turnout.
“Georgia, of course, after 2020, has been now classified as a battleground state, and I think just with the media attention on that, is what’s driving people to make sure that their choice is made, as far as voting for which candidate they want for president,” said Doss.
Election officials say they haven’t seen turnout this high before.
Columbia County Board of Elections Executive Director Nancy Gay said: “The lines have been out the door pretty much the entire time. 24 years that I’ve been here, I don’t know that we’ve voted over 12,000 people in three days.”
Columbia and Richmond counties are already seeing close to 11% voter turnout in three days – an uptick officials hope to stay strong.
Doss said: “We’re hoping it would be great if we would get between 40% to 45% of early votes. So, if we could get something around that, then I could see, you know, well, up into the 70% for a total with election day.”
Your choice is just 18 days away to decide on your vote.
Swafford said: “Now is the time to participate, because whether you like it or not, you will be governed by one of these candidates, so you have to make the choice.”
If you missed the past three days, you have until November 1 to vote early.
To find your polling location in Richmond County, visit https://www.augustaga.gov/2836/Advance-Voting-Location-Information.
To find your polling location in Columbia County, visit https://www.columbiacountyga.gov/318/Board-of-Elections.
Copyright 2024 WRDW/WAGT. All rights reserved.
Augusta, GA
1 dead after a shooting on Helsinki Drive in Augusta
AUGUSTA, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) – One man is dead after a Richmond County shooting on Wednesday evening, according to officials.
The Richmond County Sheriff’s Office says they responded to the 2300 block of Helsinki Drive in reference to shots fired with one person down at 6:23 p.m.
When deputies arrived, they found one male had been shot at least once.
Wreck on I-20 causes full lane closures near Walton Way exit
He was taken to Wellstar/MCG by EMS. He succumbed to his injuries and was pronounced dead at 8:07 p.m., according to Richmond County Coroner Mark Bowen.
While deputies were at the hospital, another person arrived with at least one gunshot wound, deputies said. They are unsure if the two victims who were shot were involved in the same shooting or a different incident.
Investigators were on scene at 9 p.m. and they had no additional information at the time, deputies said.
Copyright 2024 WRDW/WAGT. All rights reserved.
Augusta, GA
U.S. Secretary of Energy visits Augusta University one week before the election
AUGUSTA, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) – United States Secretary of Energy, Jennifer Granholm, visited Augusta University on Wednesday for a canvas launch to campaign for Vice President Harris and Governor Tim Walz.
Granholm and others are working to gain last-minute voter support, especially among younger people, before next Tuesday’s election.
“We are here at Augusta University, it’s super important for young people to take ownership of the future of this nation,” says Granholm. ”Democracy is on the line, healthcare and freedom of choice is on the line, the economy is on the line, everything is on the line including democracy so this could not be more important.”
Election Q&A: What you need to know when heading to the polls
The Secretary of Energy’s visit comes before Harris rallies this Saturday in Atlanta.
Former President Trump will be in the battleground state of North Carolina on Saturday.
Copyright 2024 WRDW/WAGT. All rights reserved.
Augusta, GA
Yankee fans who interfered with Betts grab barred for game five
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