What does Georgia’s high early voting turnout tell us about election?
ATLANTA, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) - After early voting started Tuesday in Georgia for the November election, people have been setting records for turnout.
Is that an indicator of how the state will swing?
Historically, large turnouts for early voting have favored Democrats. Republicans, including former President Donald Trump at the top of the ticket, have pushed ers to vote early if possible.
Political science professor Zachary Peskowitz said he is studying some of the demographics within turnout that could be a predictor.
Ga. election workers hail ruling against hand count of ballots
In a ruling late Tuesday, Fulton County Superior Court Judge Robert McBurney wrote that Georgia’s hand count rule “is too much, too late.”
In Georgia, more women are voting early compared to last year. Women tend to vote Democrat.
Peskowitz said there are more people over 50 who are voting early compared to last year. Older people tend to vote Republican. He said there are signs that both parties may be excited about, but it’s too soon to tell.
“Despite all the attacks on our voting system from the left and the right... people say we suppress votes, people say there’s voter fraud – Stacey Abrams, Donald Trump – Georgians know our system actually works really well, and they’re happy to go do it,” Sterling said.
A look at the false information around Hurricane Helene
The devastation around Hurricanes Helene and Milton has been complicated further by false and misleading information, much of it politically motivated.
New tools through the Secretary of State’s website allow you to see where, when and how people are voting, but it doesn’t explain why and who people are voting for.
Democrats and Republicans are both claiming a victory.
“When we have high turnout, that’s always a good sign,” said Democratic state Rep. Jasmine Clark. “I think that the state of Georgia is going to deliver for Kamala Harris and Tim Walz.”
Republicans say their base is listening to their changed messaging.
“We’ve been talking since June of last year about how important it was for Republicans to change some behavior, and not just wait until Election Day, but to get out early,” said Georgia GOP chair Josh McKoon.
Ga. ballot measure would cap rises in homes’ taxable value
With early balloting underway, voters are deciding on a state constitutional amendment that would limit valuation increases for property tax purposes to the yearly rate of inflation.
Early voting ends Nov. 1. Most counties offer Saturday and Sunday voting options. You can go to any of the early voting spots in your county. There are more than 300 locations across the state.
Augusta advance voting locations and schedule:
- Linda W. Beazley Community Room in the Municipal Building, 535 Telfair Street. Oct. 15- Oct 19, Oct. 21 - Nov. 1, from 8:30 a.m. to 6 p.m.
- Henry Brigham Community Center, 2463 Golden Camp Road. Oct. 15-Oct 19, Oct. 21-Oct. 26, Oct. 28-Nov. 1, from 8:30 a.m. to 6 p.m.
- Warren Road Community Center, 300 Warren Road. Oct. 15-Oct 19, Oct. 21-Oct. 26, Oct. 28-Nov. 1, from 8:30 a.m. to 6 p.m.
- Robert Howard Community Center at Diamond Lakes. 103 Diamond Lakes Way. Oct. 15-Oct 19, Oct. 21-Oct. 26, Oct. 28-Nov. 1, from 8:30 a.m. to 6 p.m.
- Absentee Drop Box, Municipal Building, 535 Telfair Street. Oct. 15- Oct 19, Oct. 21 - Nov. 1, from 8:30 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Columbia County leaders change polling location due to Helene damage
Due to damages from Hurricane Helene, the polling location at Savannah Rapids Pavilion will be changed.
Voters need to show any one of these photo IDs at the polls:
- Any valid state or federal government-issued photo ID, including a free ID card issued by your county registrar’s office or the Georgia Department of Driver Services.
- Georgia driver’s license, even if expired.
- Valid employee photo ID from any branch, department, agency, or entity of the U.S. government, Georgia, or any county, municipality, board, authority or other entity of the state.
- Valid U.S. port ID.
- Valid U.S. military photo ID containing a photograph of the voter.
- Student photo ID card issued by a Georgia public college, university, or technical school.
- Valid tribal photo ID containing your photograph.
Voters unable to provide photo identification can vote through a provisional ballot. They will need to provide a copy of their ID within three days after the election to their county board of elections and registration.
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