AUGUSTA, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) – Voting polls have opened for voters in Richmond and Columbia counties on Tuesday.

In Richmond County, the Board of Elections projects total turnout between 30 and 35 percent by the end of election day Tuesday.

On Monday, Doss say Richmond County broke its all-time early voting record for a primary election, with 17,465 ballots cast before election day.

Travis Doss, Richmond County Board of Elections executive director, said about 600 people will work the election, including 500 poll workers and seven teams of about 10 people each to set up voting equipment at 41 locations.

Polls opened at 7 a.m.

Doss said voters should verify their assigned polling location before heading to the polls Tuesday.

“I always say, be prepared, make a plan,” Doss said. “Polls will open from 7:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. They have to go to their assigned polling location.”

Voters can call the Board of Elections office or check the Secretary of State’s My Voter page to verify their polling location.

Doss said several polling places have changed since the last election. Voters from St. Mark were moved to National Hills. Half of the voters at Mann-Mize were moved to Building Worship, while the other half went to Good Shepherd. The Oasis Church voters in Hephzibah were moved to the Brothersville Event Center.

Signs will be posted at the old locations, and voters should have received mailings in March.

If you want to view your sample ballot, you can find it on the Board of Elections website or the Georgia Secretary of State’s website.

If you have questions, you can call the Richmond County Board of Elections Office at 706-821-2340.

Columbia County

Voting polls in Columbia County will be open from 7 a.m.- 7 p.m.

Voters must go to their assigned precincts for Election Day.

To find your precinct and view sample ballots, visit mvp.sos.ga.gov/s/.

Officials say you should bring your government photo ID.

AUGUSTA, Ga. (WJBF) – It was a busy day, installing voting machines at 41 polling sites. However, thousands of voters will not need them, as many have already cast ballots.

“On the day of the election, I don’t want to take a chance of the machine go down, overcrowding, you’ve got to wait in line a long time,” said Ed Bowen.

But others prefer their home polling sites on Election Day.

“There’s no reason to rush. Voting is very important and we have to get out and vote,” said Sam Fisher.
 
More than 18,000 voters already have.

Elections Director Travis Doss says that’s 14 percent of registered voters, and he expects to see another 14 percent on Tuesday.

“Usually, we see about 50 percent of the people will have voted early, so with 14 percent, then we should hopefully get into the 30 percent range when it’s all said and done,” said Doss.

Doss advises voters to go to their Georgia My Voter page to verify their precinct, and get a sample ballot.

Here’s one of sign of the times: At St. Marks Church, its telling voters of a precinct switch. Mann Mize Church and Oasis Church are also out this election.

And the ballot is long, and this long line of campaign signs at Diamond Lakes is an
indication.

“That’s a lot of signs,” said Fisher

“Too many?”

“That’s a lot of signs out,” he said.

For Augusta, there is a mayor’s race, five contested commission races and two sales tax questions – all reasons to turn out.

“That is the person that you’re electing for the next four years to represent you, so for mayor and five commissioners, this is make or break time for them,” said Doss.

The voting machines will be there Tuesday waiting on the voters.

AUGUSTA, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) – Republican U.S. Senate candidate Buddy Carter is scheduled to make a campaign stop in Augusta as part of his statewide “Fly Around” tour ahead of Georgia’s Republican primary on Tuesday.

Supporters are invited to attend the Augusta event at 1501 FBO Way. Organizers ask attendees to arrive no later than 11:40 a.m.

Carter’s tour includes additional stops in Savannah, Macon, Albany, Columbus and Atlanta as he works to rally voters before primary day.