Stacey Abrams vs. Brian Kemp: What to watch for in the Georgia governor race ...
Stacey Abrams vs. Brian Kemp: What to watch for in the Georgia governor race
CBSN
Democrat Stacey Abrams and Republican Brian Kemp are facing off in what could be a historic election, as Abrams has the potential to become the country's first black female governor. The race is also in some ways a referendum on President Trump and his policies, and a test of the diverse, progressive Democratic coalition that helped elect former President Barack Obama.
Democrats accuse Kemp, who is in charge of overseeing elections in the state, of disenfranchising voters. And in the lead-up to Election Day, Kemp's office leveled a vague accusation of "potential cyber crimes" at Georgia Democrats. Kemp did not provide evidence to back up the charge, however, and Democrats dismissed the move as an 11th-hour stunt.
Georgia has had a Republican governor since 2003, and the state has voted for the GOP in presidential elections since 1992. But political experts tend to believe that Georgia is likely to become more Democratic due to changing demographics, particularly in the Atlanta area.
Georgia Governor race latest news and live election results below:
What to watch for
The big question in Georgia is whether a progressive Democrat like Abrams can win in a state that's been so consistently Republican in recent decades. Georgia last elected a Democratic governor in 1998, and hasn't elected a Democratic U.S. Senator since 1996.
Abrams, a graduate of Yale Law School, gained a reputation as a pragmatic dealmaker during her tenure in the statehouse. But she's running as a tried-and-true liberal who favors gun control and abortion rights, which may prove to be a tough sell in much of Georgia.
Kemp, meanwhile, is running as a Republican in the Trump mold. "I've got a big truck," he bragged in one campaign ad during the GOP primary, "just in case I need to round up criminal illegals and take them home myself."
In prev ious years, that contrast in messaging might have given Kemp a decisive edge. But the explosive growth of the diverse Atlanta metropolitan area in recent years, and Mr. Trump's low approval ratings among college-educated whites, point to a state that is quickly becoming competitive again.
When do polls close in Georgia?
Polls close in Georgia at 7 p.m. ET. However, any voters in line to vote before 7 p.m. will still be able to cast a ballot.
Once all voters have cast their ballots, poll workers will begin the process of closing down machines to tally the results and send them to the state election commission.
Where to find election results
When the polls close, the latest Georgia election results will be posted at the CBS News Election Center. Data will be updated every minute as the various districts throughout Georgia tally vote counts and submit them to the Georgia Secretary of State. Keep checking back throughout the day for the latest.
