The Runoff Report: Trump, Biden in Georgia on eve of election

By

Ballotpedia staff

Happy Election Day! Follow along with us live tonight here as results roll in.

Republicans have secured 50 seats in the next U.S. Senate compared to Democrats’ 48 (including two independents who caucus with them). Control of the next Senate comes down to Georgia’s runoff elections. In The Runoff Report, we provide the latest on each race and the fight for Senate control.

Voting on Jan. 5

Some answers to questions you may have about voting in the runoffs:

When are polls open on Tuesday?

  • From 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Anyone standing in line at a polling location at 7 p.m. will be allowed to vote.

Can I register at the polls?

  • No. The registration deadline was Dec. 7.

Do I need to bring ID?

  • Yes. Voters must present photo ID at the polls. Click here for a list of accepted forms of ID.

Can I still submit my absentee ballot?

  • Yes, a voter may still place an absentee ballot in a ballot dropbox in their county. Click here for information on finding a ballot drop-off location. County election officials must receive absentee ballots by 7 p.m. today. 

Click here to find your polling location, check absentee ballot status, check registration status, find a sample ballot, and more.

Regular election updates

David Perdue remains in quarantine. He participated in several media interviews on Jan. 4. On Fox & Friends this morning, Perdue said of Ossoff that “most of his money comes from big tech out in California. You better bet he’s going to be in their deep pocket as we turn around and try to hold big tech accountable for their vagaries over the last 10 years. And also, when we stand up to China, ask this young man what he’s going to do to the people who put money in his pocket the last two years.” Perdue also tweeted that he urged senators to object to the Electoral College certification process. Perdue’s term ended on Jan. 3, so he will not be able to participate on Jan. 6.

Jon Ossoff campaigned in Conyers and Augusta on Jan. 4. Ossoff tweeted a video of him saying, “When the president of the United States calls up Georgia’s election officials and tries to intimidate them to change the result of the election, to disenfranchise Georgia voters, to disenfranchise Black voters in Georgia who delivered this state for Joe Biden and Kamala Harris, that is a direct attack on our democracy. And If David Perdue and Kelly Loeffler had one piece of steel in their spines, one shred of integrity, they would be out here defending Georgia voters from that kind of assault.”

This election is for a full six-year term ending January 2027. Perdue was elected in 2014. Ossoff ran against Karen Handel (R) in the 6th Congressional District special election in 2017.

Click here for more coverage of the regular election.

Special election updates

Kelly Loeffler campaigned in Augusta, Columbus, Savannah, Albany, and Valdosta on Jan. 4. Loeffler also announced she would support the objection to the Electoral College certification process on Jan. 6, saying, “I will vote to give President Trump & the American people the fair hearing they deserve.” 

Raphael Warnock campaigned in Marietta and Atlanta today, according to a campaign email. He tweeted on Jan. 4, “Unelected Senator @KLoeffler wants to undermine your vote and overturn Georgia’s election. Let’s show her that Georgia voters will not be silenced or ignored. Tomorrow, let’s vote her out.”

The special election will fill the remainder of the term Johnny Isakson (R) won in 2016. He resigned in Dec. 2019, and Gov. Brian Kemp (R) appointed Loeffler, co-owner of the WNBA team Atlanta Dream. Warnock is senior pastor at Ebenezer Baptist Church. The winner will complete the term ending in January 2023. 

Click here for more coverage of the special election.

Overall campaign updates

  • President Donald Trump spoke at a rally in Dalton on Monday night. Loeffler was present, while Perdue was still quarantining. Trump said, “Everything that we achieved together is on the line tomorrow. … Our fight to take back our country from the big donors, the big media and the horrendous big tech giants.” Trump said Loeffler and Perdue would protect Social Security, Medicare, and patients with pre-existing conditions. He also discussed his claims about election fraud in the state’s presidential election while urging Republican voters to vote in the runoff: “The only way to combat the Democratic fraud is to flood your polling places with a historic tidal wave of Republican voters tomorrow.”
  • President-elect Joe Biden held a rally with Warnock and Ossoff in Atlanta. Biden said Ossoff and Warnock would help deliver $2,000 relief checks to most Americans. “If you’re like millions of Americans all across this country, you need the money. You need the help and you need it now. Now, look, Georgia, there’s no one in America with more power to make that happen than you. … The power is literally in your hands. By electing Jon and the reverend, you can break the gridlock that has gripped Washington.” Biden also said, “It’s not hyperbole, you can change America.” He said of the presidential election, “Your voices were heard. Your votes were counted. The will of the people prevailed.”

Today: Recapping The Runoff Report‘s daily features

On Election Day, beef up your election knowledge with the following resources from previous Runoff Report editions.

Candidates in depth

Influencer profiles

Nov. 3 vote breakdowns

Continually updated features

Historical context

Miscellaneous