Less than two weeks remain before Georgians cast their votes in the presidential primaries. An increased interest in this year's presidential election will likely show itself in voter turnout Feb. 5, said Lynn Bailey, the executive director of the Augusta Board of Elections.
About 35 percent of Augusta's registered voters are expected to cast their votes in the presidential primaries, Mrs. Bailey said. If so, that would be the largest voter turnout in more than 10 years.
"We have no incumbent president or vice president running, so it's really open," Mrs. Bailey said. "What we see in result is more interest than normal in the presidential primary."
The open race might make it tough for voters to choose, said Dave Barbee, 10th Congressional District chairman of the Republican Party.
"There is no front-runner. You'll just see the battle of who will be the best candidate," Mr. Barbee said. "I don't think any of this will have an enormous effect on the turnout on Feb. 5."
Many voters will not gain interest until November's election, Mr. Barbee said. The local Republican Party will likely start recruiting voters around Labor Day.
Lowell Greenbaum, chairman of the Richmond County Democratic Party, said it has taken steps to boost this year's voter turnout.
"We'll have groups of people walking and knocking on doors to try to bring voters up to date," Dr. Greenbaum said. "We're getting calls from young people who want to be active. That happens in presidential elections."
Capturing the attention of young voters will be the key on both sides of the political fence, said Ralph Walker, a political science professor emeritus at Augusta State University.
"Both parties are having breakfasts and doing other things to generate interest for voters," Mr. Walker said. "To be honest, the media and television will go a long way in stirring up interest."
Internet social networks such as Myspace have also raised awareness about the election, said Karl McCloud of Augusta. Mr. McCloud recently began volunteering with the Richmond County Democratic Party to encourage young people to be active. He works as a counselor at Paine College.
"A lot of the younger folks are asking me questions, and I'm telling them just get involved," Mr. McCloud said. "There's new folks coming out of high school and older folks passing out pamphlets. It's exciting to see."
Advance voting will begin Jan. 28 and end Feb. 1, Mrs. Bailey said.
Reach Stephanie Toone at (706) 823-3215 or stephanie.toone@augustachronicle.com.
SOUTH CAROLINA DEMOCRATIC PRIMARY
Saturday is the Democrats' turn.
One week after South Carolina Republicans picked John McCain as their presidential preference, Democrats will go to the polls to choose from among eight candidates.
Only voters who did not cast ballots in last week's Republican primary can vote this weekend, said Stuart Bedenbaugh, executive director of the Aiken County Registration and Elections Office.
He said he's predicting a turnout similar to last week -- about 22 percent. Better weather should help, Mr. Bedenbaugh said.
VOTER TURNOUT
Voter turnout history in Richmond County (Georgia primaries):
| Registered voters | Percentage who voted | |
| 1996 | 88,500 | 15 |
| 2000 | 80,000 | 24 |
| 2004 | 82,700 | 22 |
| 2008 | 90,000** | 35* |
* Projected figures for Feb. 5 Georgia presidential primaries
** Number of voters calculated as of Jan. 1
WHEN: Polls are open from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Saturday.
WHAT TO BRING: You don't need picture ID to vote in South Carolina, but you do need to present your South Carolina driver's license, voter registration card or state identification to cast a ballot.
PRECINCT LOCATIONS: Three polling places are not at their regular locations for this primary. Find your voting precinct at www.aikencounty.net/Reference/RNE_pollingplaces_2008primarypref.pdf or call the elections office at (803) 642-2028.
-- Compiled by Staff Writer Sandi Martin
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