Georgia broke previous records with historic early voting turnout, reports The Atlanta Journal-Constitution (AJC).
Friday was the last day for early voting in the Peach State, and by all accounts, 2.1 million residents have cast a ballot. On the final day, the Georgia Secretary of State's office reported 250,000 people voted.
The AJC notes 2.6 million people voted in the last midterms four years ago. With accusations of voter suppression, the numbers are surprising. Data collected has yet to determine if gubernatorial candidates Stacey Abrams (D) or Brian Kemp (R) have the edge regarding the turnout.
A poll from The Atlanta Journal-Constitution and Channel 2 Action News show the candidates are nearly tied. As of this report, Abrams stands at 46.9 percent and Kemp at 46.7 percent.
Kemp, who is currently the Secretary of State and election chief, has refused to step down amid the voter suppression controversy.
CBS News reports that despite efforts to keep Black and brown voters out of the ballot boxes, the turnouts in Southern states have increased slowly.
"In the last three decades, we've had about 40 percent of those eligible to vote participating in midterm elections. If we get in the upper end of that range, if we can beat the 1966 49-percent turnout rate, you'd have to go all the way back to 1914 to get a turnout rate above 50 percent," University of Florida associate professor Michael McDonald said.
The increase can be attributed by exciting Democratic candidates like Andrew Gillum of Florida. Gillum, if elected, could be Florida's first Black governor, and Abrams could be the first Black woman elected governor in the country.
Now, check these out:
The Official Blavity Guide To The 2018 Midterm Election
Here Are 7 Ways To Make Sure Your Friends Get Out And Vote
