Georgia’s Senate race is too close to call nearly six hours after most polls closed, with Democratic Sen. Raphael Warnock and Republican challenger Herschel Walker locked in a tight race that could determine control of the US Senate.
If neither candidate receives more than 50% of the vote, a run-off election will be held on December 6. Depending on the outcome of Senate races in Pennsylvania, Arizona, and Nevada, Georgia voters could hold the Senate majority for the second consecutive election cycle.
The fact that the race is so close highlights the prevalence of ticket-splitting in Georgia this year. CNN predicted that Republican Gov. Brian Kemp would easily defeat Democrat Stacey Abrams, but Walker has lagged Kemp’s margin all night, while Warnock has outpaced Abrams.
Walker asked supporters gathered in a hotel ballroom on Tuesday night to “hang in there a little bit longer.”
“I’m telling you right now, I didn’t come here to lose,” Walker declared.
Warnock has yet to address the crowd assembled at his election night headquarters. On Monday night, however, he joked to CNN about a possible run-off campaign.
“I believe there is bipartisan agreement that we (would) rather not mix politics and Thanksgiving,” Warnock said.
— Lauren Harper (@laurenjhharper) November 9, 2022
With more than half of Georgia election results in, Republican Gov. Brian Kemp and Democratic Sen. Raphael Warnock were nearly tied, demonstrating that Georgia voters are splitting their votes.
Partisans were also buzzing about a new website that was making the rounds on social media and was funded by the left-wing WelcomePAC.
Still, Republicans had reason to be optimistic about a GOP victory. Ralph Reed appeared at Walker’s election party to tell the crowd, “We are going to be here awhile.”
“You might want to switch from alcohol to caffeine,” he suggested.
Nonetheless, he expressed optimism.
“Huge chunks of votes are still out,” he said, predicting that when they are counted, “you will see Herschel break a right tackle and go all the way for a touchdown.”
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Updates on the midterm elections: Democrats win key Pennsylvania races; Republicans take Ohio Senate seat
According to the Kremlin, Russia is closely monitoring the results of the midterm elections in the United States :
The Russian political elite is closely watching the midterm elections in the United States, according to Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov.
“I wouldn’t say we’ve stopped everything and are just watching — we have a lot of our own things that are more important to us,” he told Russian state news agency Tass. “Of course, we carefully examine the data that comes in.”
Peskov, on the other hand, downplayed the significance of the elections and stated that they would not affect US-Russia relations, which had deteriorated dramatically following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.
“These elections will not change anything fundamental. Relations are still strained and will remain so “He stated.
How do I vote in person?
Yes, Georgia has early voting. You can vote on Election Day or during the early voting period, whichever is more convenient for you. This is especially useful if voting on Election Day would be difficult or impossible for you. Early voting sites may also be less busy.
Learn more about early voting in Georgia.
Early voting sites may change from those used on Election Day. Check Georgia’s website to find out where you may vote early.
What key changes should voters know about?
Georgia’s voting requirements have undergone significant adjustments.
Due to a court order, the Cobb County Board of Elections and Registration will overnight deliver absentee ballots to Cobb County voters who requested an absentee ballot, did not get one in the mail, and have not yet voted in person or been issued a replacement absentee ballot on November 7. The following modification is solely applicable to Cobb County voters:
Absentee votes delivered via overnight mail to impacted voters will be considered if postmarked by November 8 and received by the Cobb County Board of Elections and Registration by November 14.
Affected voters may also vote in person on Election Day utilizing the Federal Write-In Absentee Ballot.
Who can register to vote?
To register in Georgia, you must be a United States citizen.
You must be a legal resident of Georgia and the county in which you intend to vote.
be at least 17 and a half years old (you must be 18 to vote)
not be serving a sentence for a crime involving moral turpitude not have been found to be mentally incompetent by a court of law, unless the handicap has been removed
What are the key deadlines for the November 2022 election?
Deadlines for registration
On-site voting at the local election office: October 11
11th of October, online
By mail (by the 11th of October):
Deadlines for absentee ballots
Ballot request (received by): October 28
By mail (received by): November 8 by 7:00 p.m. EST
Return your ballot in person by November 8 at 7:00 p.m. EST.
Deadlines for voting
Early voting hours vary by area.
On-site: November 8
How do I vote if I’m in the military or live overseas?
Active-duty military, their families, and abroad citizens can use the Federal Post Card Application to register to vote and obtain an absentee ballot (FPCA).
The FPCA procedure is completed via mail, although your state may provide alternative methods for requesting and returning ballots.
For additional information on delivery and return options, including email, fax, and state internet portals, please contact your local election office. To adhere to the FPCA
procedure:
Fill out or download the Federal Post Card Application (FPCA). Please include an email address or phone number where your local election office may reach you if they have any queries.
Send the application to your local polling place.
It is never too soon to file an FPCA! Please complete this as soon as feasible.
Please complete and return your ballot as soon as you receive it.
At least 45 days before Election Day, states begin mailing absentee votes. Contact your local election office if you haven’t received your ballot by 30 days before Election Day.
If your ballot does not come after you submit your FPCA, contact your local election office first. Then you can use the Federal Write-In Absentee Ballot to vote (FWAB). Your FWAB must be printed, signed, and mailed to your local election office.
If you mail an FWAB and then get your normal absentee ballot, you must also complete and mail your regular absentee ballot. Only one ballot will be tallied, according to election authorities.
The Federal Voting Assistance Program provides further information about military and foreign voting, You can also call 1-800-438-VOTE (8683) or email vote@fvap.gov
Warnock: “We will hear from the people of Georgia,” whether it’s tonight, tomorrow, or four weeks from now.
Raphael Warnock, Georgia’s incumbent Democratic senator, spoke to supporters in Atlanta shortly before 2 a.m. ET acknowledged that the race would not be called tonight because the results are still too close to call.
“We don’t know if this journey is over today or if there’s still some work to be done, but here’s what we do know. We know that when the votes from today’s election are counted, we’ll have received more votes than my opponent,” Warnock said.
Neither candidate has reached the 50% mark required to win the race outright.
Warnock urged supporters to “keep the faith” during his brief remarks.
LeBron James endorses Georgia Senate candidate in midterm elections
On Monday, LeBron James endorsed incumbent Democrat Georgia Sen. Raphael Warnock in his reelection bid against Republican challenger Hershel Walker.
The Los Angeles Lakers star, who resides in California, had yet to endorse any candidate in the race until just hours before Election Day. James targeted Georgia voters with his message.
“Obviously, tomorrow is Election Day, and when voting for senator, there is only one choice, and that is Raphael Warnock,” James said.
Midterm elections: LeBron James endorses the Georgia Senate race
“I think from the Black community — and obviously our league is predominately made up of Black athletes, Black players, and Black men — our community talks and talks about change a lot,” he said Friday night.
“So, in order to effect change, we must go out and actually put our mouths, hands, and pens and pencils to the polls.” We have an opportunity to say that you’ve done your due diligence to try to help create change in your community, starting in your community, then in the city, then out to state, and finally all the way across the country.
“We’ve been repressed for so long. Obviously, I had the More Than A Vote initiative while we were in the bubble. I was quite involved with it. So many singers, sportsmen, and leaders have joined us. But we’ve been oppressed for so long.
They informed us we couldn’t vote. For so many years, they told our women — our Black women — that they couldn’t vote. But they continue to criticize us or do things to us in our community that is harmful to us and our families. And we sit here wondering why and what’s going on.
“So, I believe it is critical that you get educated about what is going on. Who are the local individuals who will be making decisions in your town, decisions that will influence you, your family, your school systems, and other things of that nature? Because it is significant.
I know that sometimes as Black people, we don’t feel that our vote counts, that our vote matters — and I just say Black people because I only know my people, I can’t speak for everyone, I just know how we are — but it does. It is significant. When we needed to get someone out of office, we observed a difference. So I’m hoping people take it seriously.”