Richmond County voters head to the polls Tuesday to decide a handful of statewide and local contests as well as a referendum on a homestead tax exemption.
About 6.5% of the consolidated government’s active voters, some 8,327 of them, already cast ballots during 17 days of advance voting at four locations.
Travis Doss, executive director for Richmond County Board of Elections, said he predicts final total turnout to reach 10-15%. Low turnout is common for off-year elections with few options on the ballot.
On Election Day, voters must use their assigned polling places. The polls will be open from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. View a list of polling places here.
Read more: Advanced voting ends in Columbia County, Election Day set for Nov. 4
Augusta Commission special election
Augusta voters in District 4 are choosing a commissioner to serve out the rest of resigned Commissioner Alvin Mason’s term. The Fort Gordon-area seat goes back on the ballot next year for a term that begins in 2027.
Both candidates for District 4 have emphasized their record sof service and community involvement. They include:
- Interim Commissioner Tanya Barnhill-Turnley, whom the commission voted to temporarily fill Mason’s seat in July. The media sales consultant is endorsed by Mason and Richmond County Sheriff Gino Brantley.
- Retired Army sergeant major and former city employee Lonnie Wimberly, who is active in neighborhood associations and has support from area Democratic state legislators.
Referendum on local homestead exemption
Voters countywide will decide Tuesday’s referendum on a new homestead exemption intended to reduce homeowners’ property tax bills.
The exemption would limit how much a homesteaded property’s assessed value may increase each year to 3.2%. Area legislators drew up the exemption after the commission approved one that capped increases at 3.5%.
Read more: Columbia County Planning Commission to consider draft for proposed new data center zoning
Public Service Commission races
All Georgia voters vote for the first time in the state’s Public Service Commission district elections. Seats from the Atlanta area and north Georgia are coming open and Republican incumbents in each have Democratic opposition. The candidates are:
- Tim Echols (Republican, District 2) – Long-serving incumbent emphasizing energy sector and utility regulation experience.
- Alicia Johnson (Democrat, District 2) – Savannah community development leader promoting consumer protections and transparency.
- Fitz Johnson (Republican, District 3) – Appointed commissioner seeking a full term with focus on grid reliability and rate stability.
- Peter Hubbard (Democrat, District 3) – Industry expert and clean energy advocate with aim to increase solar and battery storage.
Elections in Blythe
The town of Blythe in south Richmond County and a small part of Burke County has elections for mayor and two at-large city council seats.
Most of the candidates are current or former office holders or candidates in the small municipality and include:
Mayor candidates
- Edward LaJoie – Former Blythe council member, emphasizes public safety, honesty and transparency in his mayoral bid.
- Anna M. Reeves – Business owner, Paws & Claws Pet Bakery, past president of Young Professionals of Augusta, running to “Move Blythe Forward”
- Rebecca Bartlett Newsome – Barber and current Blythe council member stepping up to run for mayor
At-large city council seats (two seats)
- Sascha Oliver Hagerman – Hospital patient care technician, originally from Germany
- Mike Reneer – Army veteran and solar-energy specialist
- Renee Kaufman – Small-business owner making another run for council
- Philip Stewart – Former Blythe mayor and council incumbent
