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.
Cochrarn, Ga. – In what turned out to be a defensive battle, the Augusta University women knocked off Middle Georgia 53-47 in the first ever meeting between the two teams. With the victory, the Jaguars improve to 4-2 in Peach Belt Conference play and 8-4 overall. The Knights are now 3-3 in conference action and 10-3 overall.
In coach Celeste Stewart”s 100th game as head coach of AU, the Jaguars hit six free throws in the final two minutes for the winning margin.
Quinasia Abercrombie led all scorers with 17 points and four rebounds while Sierra Burns added 13 points in the winning effort.
The Jaguar defense held the Knights to just 33% shooting and out rebounded Middle Georgia by five.
The game was tied at 18 at the half before Augusta would surge to a three point lead by pouring 21 bounds in the third quarter. The fourth quarter would see both teams go back-and-forth before the Jags would grab the victory.
Midway through the final quarter, the Knights would grab a 44-43 lead, but it would not last long. A Burns three pointer would give AU the lead. Then, tied at 47, Augusta rattled off the final points from the free throw line with Elyse Autrey, Abercrombie and Burns all making their shots from the line. Autrey would finish with eight points for the game.
For the game, the Jaguars hit on 16 of 26 from the charity stripe while the Knights were just 7 of 21.
Nadiyah Byard grabbed 12 rebounds to lead AU.
The Jaguars will next be in action Wednesday night when they host Clayton State and 5:30 p.m.
Fans of Jaguar Athletics can subscribe to the email listserve by clicking here. Fans can follow Augusta University at www.augustajags.com and receive short updates on Facebook at Augusta University Athletics and on Twitter at @AugustaJags.
MR. EDDIE JAMES RAMSEY, age 81, of Dearing, GA passed on Sunday, January 4, 2026, at the PruittHealth-Augusta Hills in Augusta, GA. Arrangements are incomplete and will be announced later. Family members and friends may call at the funeral home. THOMSON FUNERAL SYSTEM, Thomson, GA oversees all arrangements.
MR. EDDIE JAMES RAMSEY, age 81, of Dearing, GA passed on Sunday, January 4, 2026, at the PruittHealth-Augusta Hills in Augusta, GA. Arrangements are incomplete and will be announced later. Family members and friends may call at the funeral home. THOMSON FUNERAL SYSTEM, Thomson, GA oversees all arrangements.
AUGUSTA, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) – Dry weather returns to the CSRA for the week ahead with temperatures warming up each day.
After a foggy start Sunday, we should see at least a few breaks in the clouds with highs near average in the upper 50s to lower 60s. Winds will be light from the southeast.
Sunday night looks partly cloudy and cool with overnight lows near 40 degrees. Wind will be calm.
Monday will be a partly sunny and mild day with highs in the middle 60s. Wind will be southwest at 2 to 6 mph.
Tuesday through Thursday…Partly sunny each day and partly cloudy night. Highs will be near 70 Tuesday, warming into the lower to middle 70s Wednesday and Thursday.
Clouds increase a bit Friday, and there could be a shower or two late in the day. Highs Friday will be in the lower to middle 70s.
Keep a close eye on the forecast if you have outdoor plans next weekend, because a frontal system moves in with a decent chance of rain Friday night into Saturday. Highs will be a touch cooler Saturday in the middle 60s.
Keep it here for regular updates and be sure to Download the WRDW First Alert Weather App to have the latest information in the palm of your hand whenever and wherever you need it.
Copyright 2025 WRDW/WAGT. All rights reserved.
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