Early voting heavy in some Augusta precincts

Four Augusta voting precincts are participating more heavily in the Aug. 11 runoff elections, a likely good sign for Augusta Commission candidates who polled well in them June 9.

Advance and absentee (by mail) voting is underway in the three runoffs for commission Districts 1, 3 and 9. Advance, in-person voting is available through Friday at Augusta Municipal Building, the Howard Center at Diamond Lakes Regional Park, Henry Brigham Center and Warren Road Community Center.

So far 4,668, about 7% of registered voters in the three districts, have already cast ballots, including 4,035 who returned absentee ballots by mail, according to data from Richmond County Board of Elections. Voters who cast ballots in the Super District 9 runoff include voters in regular districts 1, 2, 4 and 5. The other runoffs are in districts 1 and 3.

Two west Augusta precincts -- 309 and 310 - which usually votes at Sharon and Providence Baptist churches, are seeing high numbers of absentee ballots. The two precincts had the second and third-highest number of absentee ballots returned.

Former District 3 candidate Lori Myles - who recently endorsed candidate Catherine Smith McKnight in the runoff - had much support from the two precincts.

Leading in absentee balloting, with 223 returned, is the Brigham center, where District 1 candidate Jordan Johnson performed well June 9.

Leading in advance voting are voters from Eastview, with 36 voting in person early. Johnson, who lives in the area, garnered the most votes there June 9. Johnson faces election front-runner Michael Thurman in the runoff.

Advance voting ends Friday and there is no in-person voting Monday. All district polling places will be open 7 a.m.-7 p.m. Tuesday.