OPINION: Who will take Georgia? Is it up in the air?
This story was updated to reflect Donald Trump winning Georgia.
According to recent polls of the 2024 presidential election in Georgia, it’s a toss-up with former President Donald Trump barely leading in some and Vice President Kamala Harris up in others. So what should people expect in this state with sixteen electoral votes?
Georgia, a neighbor to Trump’s residency state, has been on the hotlist this election. From the rumors of hand-counting ballots to Republican confusion surrounding the difference between “advance” and “absentee” voting. Georgia’s political leaning is highly contested after it flipped blue in 2020. Today, there have been several bomb threats in Gwinnett County and Fulton County. Polling stations are staying open up to 50 minutes after polls close to compensate.
Part of the story tonight is how Harris will perform in the counties that make up the Atlanta metropolitan area. As the Atlanta area becomes more left-leaning, Republicans have had to increasingly rely on the more red rural vote to win Georgia. It’s important to note that almost 45% of Georgia's population lives within or around the Atlanta metro area.
Kamala Harris has a slim chance in Georgia. It’s a toss-up but with growing anti-Trump sentiment and increasing Harris support, there is no real chance to predict early on. I think it’ll be a small margin. With the polls being incredibly close and increasing left-leaning metro areas with high population concentration, it will always be a toss-up until official calls but one can only speculate.
As Georgia polls close, the exit polls show Harris winning over many voters, with an exception for white voters with no college degree. In an exit poll, according to CNN live updates, a majority of voters have a top issue of economy, with hurricane aid trailing close behind.
As the night goes on, it is almost certain that Trump will take Georgia with fifty percent of the votes reported. Trump leads by almost 11% of the vote. While it was thought to be close, that isn’t the case anymore. The only thing to wait for is the final call.
Issues arise as Zach Manifold, Gwinnett County Elections Director, speaks about the adjudication of write-in ballots. There was a delay in getting mail-in and absentee ballots in. This just continues to be another problem with ballots and voting in Georgia. The question is, “Why are there so many problems this year?” Is it the influx of in-person voters since 2020? While the cause is unknown, it can be difficult to understand the cause of the influx. This could lead to the drawing out of decisions especially considering the impact Georgia has, being a battleground state.
And yet, with all of these setbacks and bomb threats, Georgia, a battleground state and presumably (so far) Trump’s state, is seeing history. The conditions and setbacks did not stop Georgia from having the fastest count in their history. From bomb threats originating in Russia to software malfunctions, Georgia made history for itself and it might make history for Trump as well. Just four hours after the polls closed in Georgia, Fulton County is “close to having all votes reported,” according to CNN live updates. The count of this election has been quicker than anyone prepared for.