Polls open across Georgia and South Carolina for historic 2024 election: Last chance to vote today
Nov 05, 2024
SAVANNAH, Ga. (WSAV) – Polls are now open throughout Georgia and South Carolina. Tuesday caps off a historic election cycle that saw record early voting turnout in Georgia and South Carolina.
For two weeks: more than 1 million South Carolina voters and 4 million Georgia voters cast their ballots ahead of Election Day. Now that early voting is over, today is your last chance to make your voice heard.
Americans will choose between Vice President Kamala Harris and former President Donald Trump, along with other local races. Both nominees have spent months campaigning on issues ranging from the economy to health care and immigration.
Georgia has been a focal point for the 2024 election, a battleground state that both parties have visited significantly to campaign in the past few months. There are seven swing states that the eyes of the nation will be fixed on, and Georgia is one of them. The states stretch across four time zones, but the Peach State will be the first of them to close its doors on Election Day at 7 p.m. Here, Americans will get their first clues on the outcome of the presidential race tonight when polls close in the battleground state of Georgia.
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Georgia has had a record early voting turnout, with 56% of registered voters coming to the polls, which the secretary of state's office calls unprecedented. That is around 1.5 million more people voting in the 2024 election than four years ago. WSAV talked to the secretary of state, who expects things to move smoothly today.
"The counties have been working to make sure that they have enough equipment for the number of voters, potential voters, that could show up. So, they keep those lines shorter than one hour. They know what the throughput per hour is because of the new check-in that we have at the front with electronic poll pads. All that comes together. We track it ourselves," said Georgia Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger.
Raffensperger said that anyone who tries to break voting rules will be punished.
"Don't vote twice and if you do, you will be prosecuted and won't be charged or treated kindly when you come before the state election board," he added. "We consider that a serious violation and will send that to a DA and will prosecute you to the full extent of the law. Just go out, vote, and enjoy the process."
If you are planning to vote today, here is what you should expect:
Polling places will be strictly monitored, and campaign materials are prohibited within specific distances. Voters must present an ID at polling places – which are open from 7 a.m. To 7 p.m. In both Georgia and South Carolina. Anyone in line by 7 p.m. will be able to vote.
More details:
Have your ID (driver's license, ID card issued by state, federal military ID, or U.S. Passport)
Polls are open from 7 a.m. To 7 p.m., anyone in line by 7 p.m. is entitled to cast their ballot
Officials predict lines should last 30 minutes or under, possibly up to 60 minutes maximum
Double-check what you are wearing. South Carolina prohibits campaign material within 500 feet of a polling place
Do not distribute campaign material. Georgia bans displaying or distributing within 150 feet outside a polling place and extends within 25 feet of voters standing in line.
FIND YOUR ASSIGNED POLLING LOCATION
Don't forget… You'll need to vote at your assigned precinct today.
To find where your polling location is click here on My Voter Page for Georgia or click here for South Carolina.
NEW POOLER PRECINCT
It is noted on the Chatham County Board of Elections website that there is a new Pooler precinct. The Board of Registrars has added a new precinct to the Pooler area, effective for the November 5 General Election. Precinct 7-16 was split at Quacco Road to form Precinct 7-17. Precinct 7-16 is now east of Quacco Road and Precinct 7-17 is west. Voters in both precincts will continue to vote at Pooler Rec Center until further notice.
SAMPLE BALLOTS
Want to know what you are voting for before you walk into the booth? Find your sample ballot. Click here for a South Carolina sample ballot and click here for Georgia's sample ballot.
County Polling Locations Details
Beaufort County: Click here
Bryan County: Click here
Bulloch County: Click here
Chatham County: Click here
Effingham County: Click here
Evans County: Click here
Glynn County: Click here
Hampton County: Click here
Jasper County: Click here
Liberty County: Click here
Tattnall County: Click here
CHATHAM COUNTY PRECINCT MAP
Cick here for more information.