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. 

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.

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