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.