Travis Doss, of the Richmond County Board of Elections, is getting ready to preside over his first election as executive director and says that he is prepared. After all, he has had 27 years of on-the-job training.
“I am excited and a little nervous, too,” Doss said.
Doss, a graduate of the former Augusta College, replaced long-time elections chief Lynn Bailey when she retired in 2021. Bailey served in that role for 28 years. Doss was Bailey’s assistant director before being elevated to the top job.
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However, Doss’ first election comes on the heels of redistricting, so there are more tasks to be completed. While only a few districts had major changes, Doss says that all registered voters will be sent a new card showing which precinct they should vote in.
“The House district numbers changed, and that pretty much affects everybody, so all registered voters, whether active or inactive, will get a new card,” Doss said.
The Board of Elections office will also have more help with those extra tasks. According to Doss, the 2022 budget approved two new positions, and he has restructured the office to promote from within and make use of the extra help.
Another minor change brought by the new Georgia elections law is that people will likely not receive unsolicited absentee ballot applications in the mail because the law specifically calls for a disclaimer to be included in those mailings. Those wanting an absentee ballot will need to request one prior to May 13.
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The law does not require the applicant to provide a reason for wanting an absentee ballot, according to Doss.
Applicants for absentee ballots do have to show one of the approved forms of identification to receive a ballot. Those forms of identifications are listed at the Board of Elections website, or applicants can call the office directly at (706) 821-2340.
Outdoor ballot drop-off boxes are also not allowed by the new law, so while there are still drop-off boxes, they are limited to being placed inside of the polling places.
Advance Voting will begin on May 2, but it will be limited to the Linda W. Beazley Community Room in the Municipal Building located at 535 Telfair Street only. Voting hours will be weekdays from 8:30 a.m. until 5 p.m. daily through Friday, May 13, 2022 and from 9 a.m. until 5 p.m.
On May 14, advance voting will expand to the Henry Brigham Recreation Center, the Robert Howard Community Center at Diamond Lakes, and the Warren Road Recreation Center as well as the Beasley Community Room from 9 a.m. – 5 p.m. and the following week Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m. until 6 a.m. daily.
The last chance to vote will be on election day itself which is May 24.
The ballot includes several commission seats, judgeships and the office of mayor of Augusta.
Voter ID requirements
Voters can prove their identifications by presenting one of the following types of
- 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.
- A Georgia driver’s license, even if expired
- Student ID from a Georgia public College or University
- 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 this state
- Valid U.S. passport ID
- Valid U.S. military photo ID containing a photograph of the voter
- Valid tribal photo ID containing a photograph of the voter
Scott Hudson is the senior reporter for The Augusta Press. Reach him at scott@theaugustapress.com
