Augusta, GA
Lori Myles files lawsuit challenging handling of Augusta mayoral election
AUGUSTA, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) – Former Augusta mayoral candidate Lori Myles has filed a lawsuit in Richmond County Superior Court challenging the handling of the May 19 election, alleging missing absentee votes and errors tied to how results were reported, according to court records.
In the complaint filed on May 28, Myles alleges election officials mishandled voting information and election materials and claims the election returns were inaccurate. Among the allegations, the filing claims that absentee-voter records were mishandled and that there were “18,353 missing absentee votes.”
“I believe that ‘my votes, and your votes’ were stolen, erased, and strategically ‘voter suppressed,’” Myles said in lawsuit documents.
Court records show Myles filed the complaint on May 28. The lawsuit names Travis Doss (Election Supervisor), the Augusta Commission, members of Augusta’s elections board and Georgia Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger among the defendants.
Myles also points to what she describes as polling-place reporting issues, repeatedly questioning why “Diamond Lakes” is not listed among polling locations/results on Augusta’s election website.
The complaint requests a recount/recanvass and references the pursuit of open-records requests. It also calls for additional verification measures — including rescanning ballots and scrutiny of QR-code tabulation — as part of the relief sought. Myles wrote that she plans to submit a voter-signature petition in support of her challenge.
The lawsuit comes as Augusta’s mayoral race is headed to a runoff between incumbent Garnett L. Johnson and challenger Steven Kendrick, a rematch of their 2022 runoff.
On election night, Johnson pointed to economic growth and new investment as he made his case for reelection: “I mean, we have some great momentum… we’re going to continue that,” he said.
Kendrick told supporters he wants to be “the alternative,” and said he would push for an operational audit of city departments to identify inefficiencies.
Results posted on Augusta’s election website for the May 19 contest show Johnson leading with 16,313 votes (42.8%), followed by Kendrick with 13,531 (35.5%), Eric Gaines with 5,442 (14.3%), and Myles with 2,832 (7.5%).
News 12 has reached out to Myles and the board of elections for any statements on the matter.
Copyright 2026 WRDW/WAGT. All rights reserved.
AUGUSTA, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) – The Augusta Fire Department responded to a fire on the 200 block of Boy Scout Road Sunday afternoon, officials say.
Officials on the scene said they are no reported injuries and that there were six buildings impacted by the fire.
According to our crews, the buildings look to be a part of the Ventana Townhomes.
Richmond County Sheriff’s Office shut down portions of Boy Scout Road between Skinner Mill Road and Commons Boulevard while crews battled the fire.
Dispatchers said they started receiving calls about the fire around 2:34 p.m.
We are working to learn the cause.
Copyright 2026 WRDW/WAGT. All rights reserved.
AUGUSTA, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) – An inmate from the Charles B. Webster Detention Center died Sunday afternoon after being transported to Piedmont Hospital by EMS, officials told us.
On Sunday, July 5, 2026, at approximately 1:52 p.m., deputy jailers at the Charles B. Webster Detention Center responded to an inmate who was found unresponsive inside a cell.
The Coroner’s Office said it responded to Piedmont hospital, and the inmate was pronounced dead at 2:36 p.m.
An autopsy has been scheduled.
The Coroner’s Office said the inmate’s identity will be released after the family is notified.
We also don’t know the cause of death yet. It’s unknown what medical issue led to the transport.
Members of the Richmond County Sheriff’s Office Criminal Investigation Division responded to the detention center. In accordance with protocol, the scene was secured, and the Georgia Bureau of Investigation was requested to conduct an independent investigation.
The investigation remains active and ongoing.
Copyright 2026 WRDW/WAGT. All rights reserved.
AUGUSTA, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) – An 86-year-old Augusta woman died after a two-vehicle crash Saturday night at the intersection of Walton Way and 7th Street.
According to the Richmond County Sheriff’s Office, deputies responded to the crash around 9:50 p.m.
A preliminary investigation found a vehicle traveling west on Walton Way attempted to turn left onto 7th Street and entered the path of an eastbound vehicle traveling through the intersection. The two vehicles collided.
The Richmond County Coroner’s Office identified the victim as Carolyn Fletcher, 86, of Augusta. Fletcher was a passenger in the eastbound vehicle and was taken by EMS to Wellstar MCG Hospital, where she was pronounced dead at 10:41 p.m.
An autopsy has been scheduled.
The Richmond County Sheriff’s Office Traffic Division is continuing to investigate the crash.
Copyright 2026 WRDW/WAGT. All rights reserved.
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