Featured Post from Augusta University

Fourth time a charm? Election audits are getting political in the Peach State

May 20, 2021

2 min

Gregg Murray, PhD

If at first you don’t succeed – try and try again. And Republicans did in Georgia, demanding multiple audits of last November’s presidential election, looking under every ballot box for evidence of election fraud, tampering or other shenanigans that could be used to put the results in doubt.


So far, nothing has been found.



But that’s not stopping those with an eye on a political future from backing down. In fact, election audits are now a hot topic for those looking to occupy the governor’s mansion in Atlanta.


In a bid to bolster former President Donald Trump's lies about widespread fraud in the 2020 election, Trump's Republican allies are now seeking Arizona-style audits in other swing states – including Georgia, where the former President's false claims have set off an intraparty war.


A day after Trump said in a statement that Georgia should follow Arizona's lead, former Georgia state Rep. Vernon Jones, a Trump supporter who is challenging incumbent Republican Gov. Brian Kemp in next year's GOP primary, proposed an audit Wednesday.


"Georgians still have questions about irregularities found in the 2020 election and they deserve answers," he said in a statement. "We must get to the bottom of all of this and other irregularities to restore trust in our election process. If Mr. Kemp refuses to demand an audit, then I will when I am elected to replace him."


Jones' characterization of the election was false: Georgia has already tallied the results to confirm Biden's victory there three times and conducted an audit of absentee ballot signatures. The state found no evidence of fraud, and Kemp and other Republican state officials have backed the findings.

May 19 – CNN




“This call for yet another ballot review is nothing but political theater," says Dr. Gregg R. Murray, professor of political science at Augusta University. "It’s extremely unlikely it would uncover anything that would overturn the 2020 election or substantial irregularities. It would be a huge waste of taxpayer money.”


Despite the findings, this is an issue that won’t likely be going away soon, and if you are covering this topic, then let our expert help with your story.


Dr. Gregg R. Murray, is available to talk about the election audit and what it might mean for voters in Georgia and across the country. Murray’s research focuses on political behavior and psychology with specific interests in voter mobilization and turnout. He is also executive director of the Association for Politics and the Life Sciences. Simply click on Murray's icon to arrange an interview today.



Connect with:
Gregg Murray, PhD

Gregg Murray, PhD

Professor of Political Science

Murray's research focuses on political behavior and psychology with specific interests in voter mobilization.

Government Responses to COVID-19Research MethodsPolitical BehaviorU.S. GovernmentPublic Opinion
Powered by

You might also like...

Check out some other posts from Augusta University

2 min

A Snapshot of the Local Economy: Simon Medcalfe on Growth, Risk, and What Comes Next

At Augusta University’s annual Economic Forecast Breakfast hosted by the James M. Hull College of Business, Simon Medcalfe, PhD, offered a grounded, data-driven look at how the local economy is performing — and what lies ahead. Speaking to business leaders, students and community stakeholders, Medcalfe emphasized the importance of distinguishing real economic growth from inflation-driven gains, noting that while the Augusta region continues to grow, it does so at a measured pace compared to national averages. His presentation framed the local economy as stable and resilient, but not immune to broader forces shaping the U.S. outlook. A key theme of Medcalfe’s remarks was the role of research, innovation and education in sustaining long-term economic health. He pointed to strong gains in research and development across Georgia and highlighted how university-based research directly contributes to regional economic output. According to Medcalfe, investment in knowledge creation remains one of the most reliable drivers of growth, reinforcing the value of higher education institutions as economic anchors. Simon Medcalfe, PhD, is an economist with an emphasis on sports economics, social determinants of health, and the local economy. View his profile At the same time, Medcalfe cautioned against complacency. While regional fundamentals remain solid, he stressed that uncertainty at the national level continues to pose risks. “However, uncertainty abounds in national macroeconomic policy that could negatively impact growth next year,” Medcalfe said, underscoring how unresolved fiscal decisions and policy shifts can ripple down to local economies. Still, his overall outlook balanced realism with optimism. Medcalfe concluded that the Augusta region — and Georgia more broadly — is positioned to weather uncertainty thanks to diversification, investment in early education, and continued research activity. “Overall, Augusta and Georgia are positioned well for economic growth in 2026 with a strong commitment to early childhood education, a diversified labor market and strong research and development,” he said. View the full article 'Annual Economic Forecast Breakfast offers snapshot of the local economy' here: For journalists covering regional economics, workforce development, higher education, or policy-driven growth trends, Simon Medcalfe, PhD, offers clear-eyed analysis rooted in data — and an ability to translate complex economic signals into insight that matters locally. Simon is available to speak with media - simply click on his icon now to arrange an interview today.

2 min

From Libraries to Heart Health: Marlo Vernon Takes Cardiovascular Care Into Rural Georgia

Marlo Vernon, PhD, associate professor in the Department of Health Management, Economics, and Policy at Augusta University’s School of Public Health, is leading a creative public health initiative designed to improve cardiovascular monitoring in rural Georgia. Through the university’s Rural Obese At-Risk initiative, Vernon and her team are placing blood pressure monitors in local libraries, allowing residents to check them out just like books. The effort addresses a critical access gap in rural communities where preventive health tools are often limited or difficult to obtain. Vernon’s work focuses on the realities facing communities in the South’s so-called Stroke Belt, where overlapping health conditions significantly elevate cardiovascular risk. View her profile “There are significant chronic disease risk factors in this so-called Stroke Belt. We’ve got high obesity rates. We have family history. We have high rates of diabetes and kidney disease and they all kind of feed into each other to really create this cardiovascular health need in our communities. And women, in general, are just at a higher risk for this,” said Marlo Vernon, PhD. Beyond equipment access, Vernon’s research also examines how people understand and manage their health when traditional care options are limited. The library-based model helps normalize blood pressure monitoring while reducing barriers such as travel distance, cost, and limited clinic availability. It also creates opportunities to study how community-based solutions can improve awareness, engagement, and long-term cardiovascular outcomes. For journalists covering rural health, women’s health, chronic disease prevention, or innovative public-health strategies, Vernon offers grounded, real-world insight into how trusted community spaces can play a vital role in addressing persistent health disparities. A full article on this topic is available below.  To arrange an interview with Dr. Vernon simply click on her iconnow  to set up a time to talk today.

2 min

Why Insomnia May Hold the Key to Treating Depression, According to MCG Research

William Vaughn McCall, MD, professor emeritus in the Department of Psychiatry and Health Behavior at the Medical College of Georgia at Augusta University, is leading a new multi-year clinical trial aimed at addressing insomnia and depression together — two conditions that frequently occur side by side. The Assessing Improvements in Mood and Sleep (AIMS) Trial, funded by the National Institutes of Health, is exploring whether treating sleep problems through psychotherapy can also reduce lingering symptoms of depression, particularly in older adults. McCall has served as professor and Case Distinguished Chairman of the Department of Psychiatry and Health Behavior at Augusta University since 2012. His research interests include depression, electroconvulsive therapy, quality of life, insomnia, and suicide. His research has been continuously funded by the National Institute of Mental Health since 1995, and he is the author of more than 400 publications, including more than 180 peer-reviewed journal articles. View his profile McCall’s work builds on decades of research examining how disrupted sleep contributes to mood disorders. While previous studies often focused on medication-based approaches, this trial takes a different direction by testing non-pharmacological therapies that target insomnia itself. The research team, which includes collaborators from multiple universities, is evaluating whether improving sleep quality can meaningfully lower depression symptoms for patients who remain symptomatic despite antidepressant treatment. “Ultimately, the hope is to find other avenues to reduce the risk for depression and depression symptoms,” McCall says. The trial is currently recruiting adults aged 55 and older who are experiencing both insomnia and depression, with options for both in-person and remote participation. For journalists covering mental health, aging, sleep science, or emerging clinical research, McCall is a key expert offering informed perspective on how sleep-focused interventions could reshape the future of depression treatment. The full article 'New MCG trial targets insomnia and depression symptoms' is available below: And if you're interested in talking with William Vaughn McCall, MD, simply click on his icon now  to arrange a time for an interview today.

View all posts
Powered by