AUGUSTA, Ga. – The Richmond County Board of Elections has decided to maintain its current advance voting policy for the 2025 and 2026 elections following a review of its effectiveness. At their monthly meeting, board members discussed the advance voting procedures used in the 2024 elections and whether any changes should be made moving forward.

In 2023, the board implemented changes to the advance voting schedule for the 2024 elections. Previously, the county offered two weeks of advance voting at the main office, with satellite sites opening for the third week. However, the 2024 policy expanded to offer early voting at all four locations throughout the entire three-week period.

As the board looks ahead to the upcoming 2025 elections, the special primary set for this year prompted the board to reassess the voting policy. While the board considered potential modifications, it ultimately decided to keep the current system in place.

Travis Doss, Executive Director of the Richmond County Board of Elections, explained the decision: “As we prepare for 2025, we have this special primary that we had not planned for, and so the board wanted to analyze some of the policy to see where they wanted to make any changes to it. Or basically keep it as it is, and so they voted to keep the current policy.”

Under the current policy, all four advance voting locations will remain open Monday through Friday, with two Saturdays available for voters. Additionally, one Sunday of early voting will be held at the Augusta Municipal Building.

“The main thing is that we just want to be consistent. The board wants to make sure that we give voters every opportunity to come out and vote. Whether it’s by absentee, or advanced, or election day,” Doss added.

In addition to the advance voting schedule, the board is closely monitoring ongoing legislative developments. Of particular interest are the SAVE Act and Georgia Senate Bill 214, known as the Paper Ballot Bill. Both pieces of legislation could impact future voting procedures, prompting the board to remain vigilant in tracking any potential changes.

However, the most immediate adjustments will occur on Election Day for the June primary. Voters who previously cast ballots at Asbury United Methodist Church will now vote at the Charles Evans Community Center. Similarly, voters who were assigned to Augusta Deliverance Church will now vote at Mann-Mize Elementary School. The Board of Elections plans to send out notifications to those affected by these changes to ensure they are informed ahead of time.

As the board prepares for the upcoming elections, consistency and accessibility remain central to its strategy, ensuring voters have ample opportunities to cast their ballots in 2025 and beyond.

For more information on voting locations and policies, residents are encouraged to check the Richmond County Board of Elections website or contact their office directly.