LIVE UPDATES
1 p.m.
We’re wrapping up our live coverage here with nothing new to report. CNN just projected the Dec. 6 runoff between Warnock and Walker, neither of which crossed the 50% threshold to win outright. Information about the runoff will become available here. Georgia isn’t the only state playing the waiting game the day after the election. Votes are still being counted to find out who will control the U.S. House and Senate in Nevada and Arizona as well. Thanks again for reading our coverage.
9:10 a.m.
Here’s a recap from our Rough Draft newsletter this morning:
- Despite Mayor Andre Dickens announcing Tuesday night that “Georgia is blue,” incumbent Republican Gov. Brian Kemp easily beat Democratic challenger Stacey Abrams in their ballyhooed rematch.
- Georgia’s other most-watched race appears headed for a Dec. 6 runoff after Democratic incumbent Raphael Warnock and Republican challenger Herschel Walker were in a dead heat all night for the U.S. Senate seat. In the latest numbers, Warnock leads Walker by about 29,000 votes, but was still below the 50% needed to win. Libertarian candidate Chase Oliver proved to be the spoiler with more than 2% of the vote.
- Once thought to be political roadkill after Trump blamed him for losing Georgia, Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger won a second term beating Democrat Bee Nguyen and Libertarian Ted Metz.
- For late-morning drinkers, Fulton County passed a referendum that will allow alcohol sales to begin at 11 a.m. on Sundays at package stores, wine shops, and grocery stores.
- Republicans won Georgia races for Attorney General, Agriculture Commissioner, Insurance Commissioner, and Labor Commissioner.
For vote totals and the full list of winners and losers, visit the state elections page here.
LOCAL RACES
- Jason Esteves, a Democrat, will go to the Georgia Senate, filling Jen Jordan’s seat.
- Josh McLaurin (D) beat Liz Hausmann (R) to win State Senate District 14.
- In Georgia House 53, Deborah Silcox (R) beat Kelly Coffman (D).
- Inga Willis (D) easily beat Sam Lenaeus (D) to win Buckhead’s District 55.
- Long Tran (D) won District 80.
- Democratic incumbents Betsy Holland and Shea Roberts also won their seats.
- Cobb County voters approved making Mableton a new city. It will become the county’s largest.
IN NATIONAL RACES
• Control of the U.S. House of Representatives remains up in the air after Democrats did better than expected in closely watched races.
• The U.S. Senate also remains a toss-up with results still unknown in Arizona, Nevada, and Wisconsin. In other key races, Democrat John Fetterman won in Pennsylvania, Democrat Maggie Hassan in New Hampshire, and Republican J.D. Vance won in Ohio.
• For the first time since Reconstruction, Florida’s statewide elected officials include zero Democrats. Gov. Ron DeSantis and Sen. Marco Rubio both cruised to victory.
• Democrats won notable Governor races in Pennsylvania, Maryland, and Massachusetts.
7:25 a.m.
There’s still no winner in the Georgia U.S. Senate seat contest, so it appears Democrat incumbent Raphael Warnock and Republican Challenger Herschel Walker will meet again on Dec. 6 for a runoff. As of this morning, Warnock held a nearly 29,000 vote lead according to state election totals, but had not crossed the 50% threshold. Libertarian candidate Chase Oliver was the spoiler in the election, racking up more than 80,000 votes.
1 a.m.
We’re calling it a night as Warnock and Walker remain tied and likely headed for a runoff on Dec. 6 in the U.S. Senate race. As we posted this, Warnock was slightly ahead with 49.4% of the vote. If you’re staying up to the wee hours, you can see all the latest vote totals here. Thanks for following our coverage check back for updates later in the morning.
12:30 a.m.
Warnock and Walker remain tied in the closely watched U.S. Senate race. The AJC reports that Warnock briefly addressed his supporters at his election party in Downtown urging them to “keep the faith.”
Wednesday, 12 a.m.
It’s midnight, and Democratic incumbent Raphael Warnock and Republican challenger Herschel Walker are still in a dead heat for the U.S. Senate seat. Some prognosticators believe it will go to a runoff on Dec. 6.
11:46 p.m.
The Associated Press has reported that Democrat Sanford Bishop has won reelection to the U.S. House in Georgia’s 2nd Congressional District.
11:36 p.m.
Republican Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger has won reelection, defeating Democratic challenger Bee Nguyen, according to the AJC. Nguyen tweeted that she called Raffensperger to concede.
Republican Mike Collins will represent Georgia’s 10th Congressional District, according to the AJC and Associated Press. Collins defeated Democrat Tabitha Johnson-Green, and tweeted out thanks to his supporters tonight.
11:08 p.m.
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution and CNN are reporting that incumbent Gov. Brian Kemp (R) has been reelected to a second term in Georgia, defeating Democratic challenger Stacey Abrams. Political reporter Greg Bluestein has tweeted that Abrams has called Kemp to concede.
10:57 p.m.
The Associated Press is projecting Rep. Barry Loudermilk (R) to win reelection in the U.S. House for Georgia’s 11th Congressional District.
10:44 p.m.
The Associated Press has announced that Democrat Lucy McBath has won reelection to Georgia’s 7th Congressional District in the U.S. House.
10:30 p.m.
Associated Press has U.S. Senate candidates Herschel Walker (R) and incumbent Raphael Warnock (D) still neck and neck. Walker has a slight edge at 49.5% to Warnock’s 48.6%
10:08 p.m.
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution reports that Atlanta Mayor Andre Dickens dropped by Stacey Abrams’ election night party to proclaim “Georgia is blue” and that Democrats are taking over Georgia politics. At this posting, Abrams is trailing GOP incumbent Gov. Brian Kemp 45.5% to 53.9%.
9:35 p.m.
Early election results show city of Atlanta voters want to be able to buy their booze an hour and half earlier on Sundays. A handful of Fulton precincts are reporting more than 81% of voters approve of the sale of alcohol at package stores, wine shops and grocery stores starting at 11 a.m. on Sundays. The law now states retail sales begin at 12:30 p.m. In 2018, voters in Atlanta, Brookhaven, Dunwoody and Sandy Springs approved the “Brunch Bill” that authorized restaurants to begin selling alcohol at 11 a.m. instead of 12:30 p.m.
9:20 p.m.
Georgia’s acting Deputy Secretary of State Gabriel Sterling says that they have not seen any “real issues” on election night reporting data being submitted to their office yet, according to a report from CNN. “It’s been smooth, we haven’t had election night reporting issues at this point,” Sterling said at a news conference Tuesday evening. He said the “biggest bucket” of votes still out right now are from DeKalb.
8:45 p.m.
Fulton County is also posting election results. See them at these links:
Results Summary: https://results.enr.clarityelections.com/GA/Fulton/115526/
Scrolling: https://results.enr.clarityelections.com/GA/Fulton/115526/web-scrolling/
8:40 p.m.
CNN is projecting that Republican incumbent Majorie Taylor Green will win her reelection bid for Georgia’s 14th Congressional District.
8:35 p.m.
An update on Georgia’s voting numbers from Gabriel Sterling in the Secretary of State’s office.
8:30 p.m.
The Associated Press has determined that Democratic incumbents U.S. Reps. David Scott and Nikema Williams have won re-election.
7 p.m.
Polls have closed. Be sure to follow election results at reporternewspapers.net/2022-midterms .
6:30 p.m.
A DeKalb County Superior Court judge has extended voting times until 7:40 p.m. at Lawrenceville Road United Methodist Church, 3142 Lawrenceville Highway in Tucker. Some voters had to wait 40 minutes due to a technical issue earlier today. This is the second DeKalb polling location that will remain open past 7 p.m.
6:11 p.m.
Secretary of State COO Gabriel Sterling says the status of absentee ballots can be accessed on the My Voter Page.
6 p.m.
The majority of polling places close in one hour.
5:35 p.m.
A DeKalb Superior Court judge has ordered that the polling place at Solid Rock AME Zion Church, 4065 Snapfinger Road, remain open until 7:39 p.m. due to opening delays this morning. Voters who arrive at the precinct by that time will be allowed to vote, even if there’s a line.
5:30 p.m.
Polls close in 90 minutes. Gabriel Sterling in the Secretary of State’s office described today’s voting as “wonderfully, stupendously boring” on social media.
3:54 p.m.
Fulton County TV was at the Sandy Springs Library precinct this afternoon where voters cast their ballots with no wait. The county reporter scored an interview with Quad Webb, an entrepreneur and cast member of Bravo’s reality series “Married To Medicine,” who praised the voting process.
3 p.m.
If you’re voting in DeKalb County, you can check this map to see wait times at the polls. Right now, it’s less than 15 minutes across the county.
2:52 p.m.
Secretary of State COO Gabriel Sterling told CNN today that voter turnout across the state has been “steady” and said a majority of polling locations have no lines with an average wait time of roughly two minutes. Thirty-seven percent of Georgians cast their vote early this year, he said, setting a record for the state.
1:57 p.m.
At Lutheran Church of the Redeemer in Midtown, there was no waiting to vote just after 1:30 p.m. In and out in less than five minutes. We’re still not hearing of any major issues today.
12:48 p.m.
A couple of quick lunch-hour updates: Two Cobb County voting precincts will extend their hours this evening after opening delays The precinct at the Ben Robertson Community Center will be open until 7:45 p.m. while the Fair Oaks Community Center will be open until 7:06 p.m. Also, Fulton County officials report that 20 voters at Chattahoochee Hills City Hall were given provisional ballots after the system incorrectly identified them as Cobb County voters.
12:15 p.m.
According to chatter on Facebook, lines at Dunwoody voting locations are looking short to nonexistent. If you are unsure of your polling location, you can check here.
11:43 a.m.
Secretary of State COO Gabriel Sterling had this to say on social media about Election Day: “So far voting across Georgia has been spectacularly boring. Fingers crossed it stays that way.”
11:11 a.m.
Look up wait times for Fulton County precincts with this handy map. The site says there are 248 precincts with wait times of less 30 minutes, most being less than five minutes. Thomasville Recreation Center in Southwest Atlanta is reporting a 35-minute wait time.
10:53 a.m.
Atlanta residents casting votes today will notice a referendum on the ballot to permit the sale of alcohol at package stores, grocery stores, and other retail outlets selling booze to begin at 11 a.m. on Sundays rather than 12:30 p.m. The bill also extends Sunday buying time to 12 a.m. instead of 11:30 p.m.
10:34 a.m.
Interim Director of Fulton County Registration and Elections Nadine Williams said a mother and son were removed as poll workers while an investigation is being conducted into social media posts that included photos of a Johns Creek polling place. The Georgia Secretary of State’s office was asked if the incident should be under investigation and they agreed with the county’s concerns. “We decided out the safety for the election, we decided to remove them until we can complete the investigation,” Williams said.
9:45 a.m.
At DeKalb County’s First Iconium Baptist Church, 216 people had cast their votes by 9:45 a.m. A line had formed outside the East Atlanta church before polls opened at 7 a.m., according to a poll worker. A steady stream of voters was pulling into the parking lot by 10 a.m. The wait time to vote was less than two minutes.
9:17 a.m.
Gabriel Sterling with the Secretary of State’s office says the average wait time to vote is now 3 minutes.
8:47 a.m.
State election officials report that the average wait time at the polls is about five minutes now with the average check-in time taking only 49 seconds. There are likely to be spikes in wait times at lunch and as people get off work before the polls close at 7 p.m.
8:15 a.m.
We’re already hearing reports of lines at some polling places, but voting is taking an average of 15 to 20 minutes according to anecdotal reports on social media. Although 2.5 early votes were cast in Georgia, another 2 million residents are expected to vote today. The Justice Department has officials monitoring the vote in Fulton, Cobb, and Gwinnett today.
7 a.m.
Polls are now open across the metro and will be open until 7 p.m. If you need a reminder about where to find your polling place or other information about casting your ballot, visit this page.
4:30 a.m.
Polls don’t open for a few more hours, but here’s a bit of news you might have missed overnight. A group of Cobb County residents filed suit after it was revealed the elections office goofed and didn’t mail out more than 1,000 absentee ballots. A Cobb County Superior Court judge issued an emergency ruling late Monday to ensure that Cobb County voters who had requested absentee ballots – but not yet received them – can still vote. The ballots are being overnight delivered and have to be postmarked by 7 p.m. tonight and received by Nov. 14. You can read the court order here.