Participation in early and advance voting was so low that Richmond County Board of Elections Executive Director Lynn Bailey is adjusting her turnout prediction for today's commission and school board elections.
And now, a thick fog is covering the area, which might further limit morning balloting.
Based on past November commission elections that had no national, state or mayoral races on the ballot, she had been predicting 20 percent.
Now she’s saying it’ll be more like 10 to 15 percent, which would be the lowest turnout for any commission election since consolidation in 1996. The lowest on record is 16 percent in 1999, when even-numbered commission seats were up.
Mrs. Bailey attributes this year’s lack of interest to post-Presidential election doldrums. Turnout for the June sales tax referendum was only 8.71 percent when she had predicted 10 to 12.
“I think it’s sometimes hard to get people back out to the polls and get them energized,” she said.
During early and advance voting in October, 1,367 people participated out of 41,892 eligible voters in districts 1, 3 and 5 – 3.3 percent. Before the June SPLOST election, 2,230 people out of 111,805 eligible voters citywide took part in early and advance voting – 2 percent.
Mrs. Bailey said last month’s percentage being a tad better leads her to predict tomorrow’s turnout will be slightly better than in June.
The lowest turnout Mrs. Bailey has found for any Augusta election, dating back to 1973, was 3.19 percent for a citywide Democratic primary runoff in August 1988.
Comments
Never has voting for the best candidate been so important. Folks, our government is struggling at all levels. I urge every legal citizen to go and vote! Now is not the time for apathy. Good government depends on an engaged, informed, and energized society.
Agreed,, you can't complain if you don't vote. We need fresh ideas on the commission and a change from the status quo. Vote early and Vote Butch if you live in Dist 1.
If it is a 10% turnout I can only imagine the turnout for a runoff.
Well, its not because the info isnt out there. This race has been covered every which way but loose. Ill chalk it up to apathy.
I'd say a light turnout is good for Palmer. If he pulls this off, it's the most surprising election in a decade. A poor guy ticked off with crime who has caught everyone's attention.
Go out and vote against Butch.
if more people don't contribute to the election process we'll end up with who we deserve, and not who we need. Sic 'Um Butch!
FedupwithAUG ...Whats the matter are you a drug dealer?
Vote for BUTCH!!! He will win!!
Happy voting Augusta...make the right decision
10% - 15% ?? you augustans are hard to figure? their's a whole lot more of you whining to the augusta chronicle about your woes. i think it's pretty simple. vote for someone based on race. that way you'll feed the turmoil that is augusta politics, and provide entertainment to those of us outside of the county.
lylagirl... agreed.. just don't vote based on race... we are all one big family.. atleast we need to start thinking that way. Vote for who will bring change to the commission, cause, lord knows, we need it.
Why is a person a " Drug dealer" if they vote against Palmer? Comments like that do not help a candidate that you are supporting/
See what happens when a few of ACORN members are eliminated
The weather is nice enough today that some of the indigenous population might actually leave their porches without being picked up by a climate-controlled ACORN van......never can tell.
If you do not vote do not fuss when things do not go your way. You have no right to gripe.
smartie,
you need to either learn how to use their, there, and they're, or change your name.
I want to vote (1) to throw everyone on the Commission off it immediately, and (2) to separate the City of Augusta from Richmond County. Can I do that on this ballot form?
Dixieman@9:47-If I could vote to separate the City of Augusta from Richmond County,I would.
Consolidation sucks!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Many sections of Atlanta have broken off into separate cities. My town, John's Creek, did it as well as Dunwoody. You have to request it through the State legislation.
If Augusta is separated from Richmand Country, What section will be given to the Black and what section will be given to the White. Before someone yells racism, isn't this whole issue about race.
The issues are about needs for our fair city. We all need to forget about race, the war has been over for a long time now and we all need to move forward as one team. Remember Dr. Kings dream. We can all work together hand in hand for the betterment of all of Augusta. I feel that Mr. Palmer and Mr. Hankerson are the candidates that can help this movement of Team work and working as one.
GO BUTCH and GO BOBBY !!!
jojo55, It would be nice, Good luck!
JoJo55, I agree. Butch Palmer is the only white candidate whom I've seen draw ANY black support.
Ridiculous that so many moan and groan about Augusta politics then don't vote. Even more ridiculous is that Vererans Day is Wednesday of next week, Nov 11 ... so many brave men and women have sacrificed so much - even given their lives - for us to have the right to vote. VOTE!
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