Georgian voters have another opportunity to register to vote in time for the upcoming federal general election runoff on January 5. The ballot includes both U.S. Senate seats for Georgia: Republican incumbents Kelly Loeffler and David Perdue facing Democratic challengers Raphael Warnock and Jon Ossoff.
The deadline to register for the senatorial election runoff is December 7, and in-person voting will begin on December 14. Officials will begin mailing absentee ballots by November 18.
Anyone who will turn 18 on or before January 5 is eligible to register to vote.
In addition to the federal election runoff, there will be a state and local election runoff. Although the voter registration deadline passed for this runoff, those who are registered may vote on December 1.
It is a crime for individuals to establish residency in the state temporarily for the sake of voting. Those that intend to do so or advocate for others to do so will face investigation and likely receive punishment. Georgia law states that committing election fraud is punishable with imprisonment for a year at minimum or up to half the amount of time established for conspiracy to commit certain crimes.
“We are following up on the Facebook posts [inviting individuals to establish temporary residency], and we’re reporting them to the appropriate authorities,” stated Georgia Republican Party Chairman David Shafer.
Voter registration status is available on the state website. Republicans currently lead in the race for the majority, 49 to 48 with incumbent Thom Tillis (R-NC) leading Democratic challenger Cal Cunningham by nearly two points. If Tillis holds his seat, Republicans will hold a bare majority. The two seats in Georgia’s general election runoff will determine whether the Senate will split or Republicans maintain their majority.
Georgia commenced a complete hand recount of all votes on Wednesday – the first audit of its type in state history.
Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger will have until November 20 to certify election results.
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Corinne Murdock is a reporter at The Tennessee Star and the Star News Network. Follow her latest on Twitter, or email tips to [email protected].
Photo “Jon Ossoff” by Jon Ossoff. Photo “Raphael Warnock” by Raphael Warnock.
