Georgia
Georgia runoff elections see turnout decline as much as 65%, showing need for reform – FairVote
On June 16, Georgia held closely watched runoff elections in Republican primaries for governor and U.S. Senate, as well as lieutenant governor, secretary of state, and the 11th Congressional District. There were also runoffs in Democratic primaries for lieutenant governor, secretary of state, and three congressional districts.
Past statewide runoffs have cost Georgia taxpayers as much as $75 million. Turnout in this year’s runoffs fell by 24% statewide – with several races falling by more than 60%. These high costs and low turnout are predictable problems that could have been prevented if Georgia used ranked choice voting (RCV).
Turnout in key Georgia runoff elections
| Primary | Initial election turnout | Runoff election turnout | Turnout change |
| Governor (GOP) | 933,817 | 709,253 | -24.1% |
| U.S. Senate (GOP) | 912,696 | 702,209 | -23.1% |
| Lieutenant governor (GOP) | 889,130 | 691,624 | -22.2% |
| Lieutenant governor (Dem) | 1,030,951 | 383,845 | -62.8% |
| Secretary of state (GOP) | 851,794 | 667,090 | -21.7% |
| Secretary of state (Dem) | 1,028,197 | 383,830 | -62.7% |
| 1st Congressional District (Dem) | 57,159 | 23,813 | -58.3% |
| 7th Congressional District (Dem) | 49,421 | 17,221 | -65.2% |
| 11th Congressional District (GOP) | 80,165 | 68,915 | -14.0% |
| 12th Congressional District (Dem) | 61,284 | 30,139 | -50.8% |
Georgia held its initial primary elections on May 19. In 27 races where no candidate secured a majority of the vote, Georgia held runoffs between the top two finishers four weeks later.
Runoff elections are supposed to make government more representative by electing candidates with majority support. But in practice, runoffs usually shrink the electorate and come with a significant price tag for taxpayers and campaigns.
In the state’s Democratic primary runoffs, turnout fell so much that several candidates won their runoffs with fewer votes than they received in the May primary – entirely defeating the purpose of the runoff.
Votes for runoff winners
| Primary | Votes for winner in May primary | Votes for winner in June runoff | Change |
| Lieutenant governor (Dem) | 426,854 | 210,660 | -50.6% |
| Secretary of state (Dem) | 435,358 | 242,205 | -44.4% |
| 1st Congressional District (Dem) | 14,095 | 12,608 | -10.5% |
| 7th Congressional District (Dem) | 19,742 | 11,664 | -40.9% |
| 12th Congressional District (Dem) | 20,112 | 16,815 | -16.4% |
Ranked choice voting offers a better, faster, cheaper alternative. RCV allows voters to rank candidates in order of preference, with an “instant runoff” determining a majority winner when necessary. This means winners are determined on Election Day, when participation is highest and voters still have access to the full range of choices. With RCV, voters wouldn’t need to cast a second ballot for the same offices, and taxpayers wouldn’t have to cover the cost of a second election.
To support RCV in Georgia, visit Better Ballot Georgia today!
Georgia
Who is Georgia baseball’s next College World Series opponent?
There are just four teams left in the College World Series after the Georgia Bulldogs eliminated the Texas Longhorns 2-0 in a pitcher’s duel. No. 3 Georgia does not have much time to reflect on its season-saving win as the Bulldogs play the Oklahoma Sooners on Wednesday, June 17.
Oklahoma beat Georgia 4-3 on Monday when the two teams met. Georgia and Oklahoma never met during the SEC regular season or SEC Tournament. Oklahoma had Tuesday off after defeating Georgia and has a big advantage over the Bulldogs. The Sooners only have to beat Georgia once while Georgia has to try to string back-to-back wins over Oklahoma.
The Georgia-Oklahoma game will be at 7 p.m. ET and will be televised on ESPN. It is unclear who Georgia will start at pitcher as the Bulldogs look to keep their historic season alive.
Whoever advances between Georgia (2-1) and Oklahoma (2-0) will play the other side of the bracket in the three-game series to determine the national champion. On the other side, No. 5 North Carolina plays No. 16 West Virginia with North Carolina being 2-0 to start the double elimination format. West Virginia is 2-1 and dominated Troy to stave off elimination on Tuesday.
Georgia vs. Oklahoma TV channel, time
- TV: ESPN
- Date: Wednesday, June 17
- Time: 7 p.m. ET
- Location: Charles Schwab Field in Omaha, Nebraska
- Commentators: Karl Ravech, Kyle Peterson, Kris Budden and Chris Burke
Follow UGA Wire on Instagram, Facebook, X (formerly Twitter) or Threads for more Georgia baseball coverage!
Georgia
Live election results 2026 Georgia Primary Runoff Counties H-Z
FOX 5 Atlanta is tracking the 2026 Georgia primary runoff election results as voters across the state head to the ballot box to set the stage for November’s critical midterm match-ups.
Below is a listing of results and updates as precincts begin reporting across the state after polls officially close at 7 p.m. Refresh this page frequently for the latest vote counts throughout the night, and click here to check local down-ballot contests and comprehensive county-by-county breakdowns.
For other results, click here.
Georgia
The Latest: Primary elections in Alabama, Oklahoma and Georgia further test Trump’s influence
An endorsement from President Donald Trump is worth a lot in Republican primaries. But is it worth more than $100 million in Georgia? Can it propel a congressman past an insurgent outsider in Alabama? Can it transform a candidate into a front-runner in Oklahoma?
Trump has been at the center of this year’s midterm campaigns, and his influence will be tested in different ways Tuesday as four states and the District of Columbia hold primaries.
Among Democrats, the primaries will hinge on longstanding divides between progressives and moderates as the party tries to chart the best path forward to November.
Here’s the latest:
Alabama GOP primary is latest test of Trump’s endorsements
The president’s endorsed candidates have mostly done well so far in the midterm primaries. But the open U.S. Senate race in Alabama will be another test of his endorsement power.
U.S. Rep. Barry Moore, a three-term congressman, faces former Navy SEAL Jared Hudson in the GOP runoff. Trump endorsed Moore early in the campaign, but he’s been forced into a heated race with Hudson, a political newcomer.
Hudson, borrowing a page from Trump’s original playbook, has tried to depict Moore as a political insider and has urged voters to send an outsider to Washington.
Trump held a telephone rally for Moore last week.
The candidates are seeking the Senate seat being vacated by Republican Sen. Tommy Tuberville, who’s running for governor. The winner will face the Democratic nominee in November.
2 open races set off a political scramble in heavily Republican Oklahoma
GOP Gov. Kevin Stitt is term-limited, and former U.S. Sen. Markwayne Mullin vacated his seat to replace Kristi Noem as Homeland Security secretary.
Republican Alan Armstrong, an energy executive, is filling the U.S. Senate seat for now, but state law prohibits him from seeking a full term as an interim appointee.
Rep. Kevin Hern, a four-term congressman endorsed by Trump, is running against four other candidates of lesser profile in the Republican Senate primary.
The GOP primary for governor is more crowded, with nine names on the ballot, including several prominent Republicans. That could lead to an Aug. 25 runoff if no candidate receives at least 50% of the vote to win outright.
California special election will fill former Rep. Eric Swalwell’s term after his resignation
The Democrat stepped down in April following allegations that he sexually assaulted a woman twice, including when she worked for him, and other accusations of sexual misconduct.
Swalwell was a leading candidate for California governor at the time and dropped out of the race the same month. He has denied the allegations and said he will defend himself.
The San Francisco Chronicle first reported that a woman accused Swalwell of sexually assaulting her in 2019 and again in 2024. She told the outlet that she had been too intoxicated to consent.
Runoffs will decide GOP nominees for Senate and governor in Georgia
Tuesday’s elections are needed after no Republican won a majority to clinch the nominations in the May primary.
In the Senate race, Rep. Mike Collins, a second-term congressman who calls himself a “MAGA warrior,” and Derek Dooley, a first-time candidate and former football coach, are facing off. The winner will try to oust Democratic Sen. Jon Ossoff in a key November contest. Trump endorsed Collins on Sunday.
The primary for governor pits Lt. Gov. Burt Jones against billionaire Rick Jackson. Trump endorsed Jones last August. The winner will face Democrat Keisha Lance Bottoms, the former mayor of Atlanta, in November.
Polls now open in Washington, DC
Voting is underway in one of the city’s most consequential primaries in a generation.
Democrats in the nation’s capital have not had a chance to vote for a new mayor and new delegate to Congress in the same election since 1990, when gas was cheaper than $1.35 a gallon and George H.W. Bush was president.
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