Polls close in Georgia runoffs as matchups for governor, US Senate to be decided
ATLANTA, Ga. (Atlanta News First) — Polls have closed in Georgia’s June 16 runoffs that will decide the nominees in several marquee statewide contests shaping the fall ballot.
Tuesday’s ballot was led by the Republican runoff for governor between Lt. Gov. Burt Jones and health care executive Rick Jackson. Gov. Brian Kemp gave a last-minute endorsement to Jones. The winner will advance to face Democrat Keisha Lance Bottoms in November, setting up one of the state’s highest-profile general election matchups.
Voters will also settle who will challenge U.S. Sen. Jon Ossoff this fall, with Republicans choosing between U.S. Rep. Mike Collins and former football coach Derek Dooley. That race will help determine the balance of power in Washington and is expected to draw heavy outside spending and national attention. Collins received an endorsement from President Donald Trump on Sunday.
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Several other down-ballot runoffs will also finalize party nominees, including contested races for lieutenant governor and secretary of state on both the Republican and Democratic sides.
Those outcomes will lock in the rest of the statewide ticket heading into November and could influence turnout and party momentum across Georgia.
Voter turnout is low for this runoff, with only 488,000 voters casting their ballots so far, according to the Secretary of State’s Office website. That’s about 6.6% of registered voters.
Despite that, Fulton County voter James Maddox said Tuesday it was important to make his voice heard.
“Voting makes change. Without voting, can’t speak about nothing if you don’t vote,” he said. “Every vote counts. Vote, vote, vote until you fall down.”
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