The Richmond County Board of Elections expects most of you -- 88 to 90 percent of you -- to stay home during today's local elections.

Hmm. If you like the sleepy status quo, maybe you should.

But we hope everyone else votes today, surprises the Board of Elections and moves this city forward against the odds.

Some in this election have actually been touting Augusta's gridlock as a good thing.

We're not kidding. District 1 candidate William Fennoy actually told voters Thursday that we need to keep the gridlock.

For those who desperately want progress, the path forward is crystal clear: Matt Aitken in Augusta Commission District 1; Joe Bowles in District 3; and Bobby Hankerson in District 5.

Last year's presidential election was exciting, historic and on top of people's minds. But the truth is, these quiet local elections likely have more impact on your life. And this one could have more impact than most.

Augusta is again at a crossroads: We can choose the current loggerheads and contretemps that have stymied the kind of progress that most cities would envy -- or we can realize that potential, grow the city, grow jobs and grow together.

The choice is yours. The time is now.

Voting is breathlessly effortless these days. The computer touch-screen ballots are fun, quick and easy to understand. There won't be long lines. You'll be in and out in minutes.

If you do want progress, but are unsure what district you live in, take just a few seconds to find out. Log onto www.augustaga.gov/index.aspx?NID=1117; there you will find a list of polling places by district, as well as a Secretary of State's Web page link at the top to find your precinct number. Or call the Board of Elections at 706-821-2340.

Board of Elections Executive Director Lynn Bailey says her office will actually be taking calls as early as 6 a.m. today. Now that is your government at work!

Please don't leave this election and the city's future for someone else to decide. It's too important. And consider: A commission race four years ago was decided by 11 votes. Your vote does count.

Make it count for progress.