Voting on election day? What to know in Richmond, Columbia, Aiken counties

Election day is nearly here — and if you have not already cast a ballot, here is what you can vote on Nov. 7.

Georgia residents can find their polling location and sample ballot at https://mvp.sos.ga.gov/s/. Polling places are open from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. on election day.

Richmond County

The only county-wide election in Richmond County will be on whether or not to approve a 0.5% sales tax to raise $433,196,500 for major renovations to the Augusta Entertainment Complex, including the James Brown Arena. The vote would cover a $250 million bond, including interest over time through 2043. The vote was authorized by House Bill 230 earlier this year, leaving the final decision up to voters.

This election follows on a vote in 2021 where residents rejected a property tax proposal to fund the arena project. If this vote fails, it could be another five years before the work happens, according to prior reporting in the Chronicle.

You can find a list of all polling places at www.augustaga.gov/1117/Polling-Place-Information.

• Blythe City Council: Non-partisan election for two candidates. Four candidates have qualified: Daniel Martin, Mike Rineer, Anna M. Reeves and Noel Cartagena.
• City of Hephzibah: The election will be for two city commissioner seats currently held by David Usry and Clay Fulcher. The current candidates are Clay Fulcher and Jordan C. Rhoades.

Columbia County

Polling locations can be found at www.columbiacountyga.gov/578/Press-Releases-Notices.

• City of Grovetown: The election will be for the mayor of Grovetown and two city council seats. Three people have qualified for the mayoral race: incumbent Gary Jones, Deborah Fisher and Ceretta Smith. Three people have qualified also for the council, including incumbent Eric Blair, Richard Bowman and Marsha Keating.

The city of Harlem was scheduled to hold a city council election for two seats, but given that the only candidates to qualify were incumbents Al Reeves and Gregg Stokes, the election was cancelled.

Aiken County

• City of Aiken: The election will include the mayor of Aiken and City Council District 1 and 3. There is only one candidate for mayor, Republican Teddy Milner. In District 1, Democrat Gail Bush Diggs is running against Republican Demarcus Sullivan. District 3 has only one candidate, Republican Kay Biermann Brohl.