Augusta will probably end up with 12% of the population deciding who will be in charge. Like the national elections.. we won't get who we need.. but we'll get what we deserve. Sigh...
Turnout has been light halfway through the early voting period for Richmond County elections, said Lynn Bailey, the Board of Elections executive director.
Just 141 people had voted through Friday, said Mrs. Bailey, who predicts about a 20 percent turnout.
"It's just been really slow," she said. "There hasn't been a whole lot of foot traffic at all."
The first day of early voting on Oct. 5 saw 23 voters cast ballots, and the busiest day had 25 voters, Mrs. Bailey said. The turnout is normal for an election without any state or national races, she added.
Last year's presidential race brought out about 80,000 voters in Richmond County.
Voting will continue through Oct. 30 for the Nov. 3 election. Registered voters can cast ballots weekdays from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the Board of Elections office at 530 Greene St.
Two additional polling sites will open the final week of early voting at Henry Brigham Recreation Center at 2463 Golden Camp Road and Warren Road Recreation Center at 300 Warren Road. The three sites will have extended hours and be open from 8:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. Oct. 26-30.
The ballot includes three contested Augusta Commission races in Districts 1, 3 and 5 and a special election for the District 5 Richmond County Board of Education seat.
Mrs. Bailey said voters can call the Board of Elections office at (706) 821-2340 to learn which district they reside in. Voters must present one of six approved forms of identification to vote in person.
No irregularities or problems with voting machines have been reported so far, Mrs. Bailey said.
Reach Erin Zureick at (706) 823-3217 or erin.zureick@augustachronicle.com.
WHAT'S ON THE LINE
Richmond County voters will pick three Augusta commissioners and fill one board of education seat in the Nov. 3 election. Early voting ends Oct. 30.
AUGUSTA COMMISSION
DISTRICT 1: Four candidates are running for the seat vacated by Betty Beard: Bill Fennoy, Matt Aitken, JoRae Jenkins and James "Butch" Palmer. The district includes downtown, the Medical College of Georgia, East Augusta, Laney-Walker, Harrisburg and Sand Hills.
DISTRICT 3: Incumbent Joe Bowles faces opposition from Joy B. Mitchell-Booker and Cleveland O'Steen. The district covers Summerville and parts of west Augusta, including Augusta Mall.
DISTRICT 5: Bobby Hankerson and Bill Lockett are vying for the seat vacated by Calvin Holland. The district includes parts of south Augusta, including the old Regency Mall site.
RICHMOND COUNTY BOARD OF EDUCATION DISTRICT 5: Three candidates are running for the seat vacated by the death of Joe Scott, including Mr. Scott's widow, Patsy, and Aishia Leverett and James Williams Jr.
-- From staff reports
MEET THE CANDIDATES
Commission District 1
Commission District 3
Commission District 5
RCBOE District 5
Comments
Augusta will probably end up with 12% of the population deciding who will be in charge. Like the national elections.. we won't get who we need.. but we'll get what we deserve. Sigh...
We area a REPULIC! There is a difference.
I think what is "wrong" with this picture is that since ACORN's demise, their vans are no longer scouring the streets looking for bums to give smokes and booze money to in exhange for their votes.
It is amazing that the elected officials that have the most direct effect on our lives draw so little interest. These people's decisions will change your day-to-day lives much more so than the Feds. Get out and vote!
Tosos, when did you see Acorn doing that? You guys just take a script and run too far with it.
bdittle, so true. These people will control property taxes and things that you will deal with everyday. The feds do stuff that never affect you because of the macro level. If the school board or city council does it it will be right in your backyard everyday.
i am curious. in richmond county, do you only vote in the commission race concerning your district? or, do you vote for each district? it seems to me that the people in the higher class neighborhoods would be better qualified to choose a candidate for the ones living in the ghettos. after all, they have made better decisions in their personal lives, and would almost certainly make better decisions concerning county government.
native why are you always the first lib to fall for the bait?............And if you really believe that what is done on the federal level does not affect you than my theory about barry supporters is spot on!
Vote early and vote often!
justus4: This is a REPUBLIC, not a Democracy. (As someone else mentioned above). Anybody who has ever heard and/or said the Pledge of Allegiance should know that.
Can a write in candidate win election without paying the qualifying fee?
This is an important election folks. We all like to complain about how ineffective the commission is, but nothing will change if you don't get out and vote.
Its so sad that the residents of Richmond County does not realize how important it is to vote for your local governmental seats. These people help control your day to day lives, make a choice for our future and get out and exercise your right. Don't wait until its too late....Do what is right and if you don't I guess you will be the first to complain. If you don't vote then don't complain.
The Augusta Chronicle ©2012. All Rights Reserved.
