Runoff Possible In Nation's Most Watched Governor's Race

ATLANTA, GA -- With early in-person voting starting Monday, a new poll shows Stacey Abrams and Brian Kemp locked in a tight battle in Georgia's nationally watched governor's race. The new AJC/Channel 2 poll shows Kemp with 47.7 percent and Abrams with 46.3 percent, well within the poll's 2.8 percent margin of error. Libertarian Ted Metz has 2.3 percent, and only 4 percent of voters undecided.

The poll was conducted Sept. 30 to Oct. 9 by the University of Georgia’s School of Public and International Affairs. It included 1,232 likely general election voters who said they had voted in recent contests and said they were definitely or probably going to vote in November.

Earlier this week, Kemp, who is also secretary of state, announced Georgia has shattered the all-time voter registration record with more than 6,915,000 active and inactive voters on the rolls. Kemp expects the total number to break 7,000,000 voters at any moment as counties continue to process forms received by Tuesday's voter registration deadline.

"Despite what you hear or read, the numbers are clear," Kemp said. "While outside agitators disparage this office and falsely attack us, we have kept our heads down and remained focused on ensuring secure, accessible, and fair elections for all voters. The fact is that it has never been easier to register to vote and get engaged in the electoral process in Georgia, and we are incredibly proud to report this new record."

Read more on the AJC poll here.

Kemp is seeking to help the GOP maintain control of the governor's office and virtually every other statewide office the party has enjoyed since 2002, while Abrams is running to become the nation's first African-American female governor.

The voter registration deadline was October 9, 2018 for the November 6, 2018 election. Absentee by mail voting is already underway. Early in-person voting runs October 15, 2018 through November 2, 2018. In all 159 counties, the polls will be open on Saturday, October 27, 2018.

The governor's race has captured national attention, as Democrats hope a so-called "blue wave" will begin in Georgia and carry them to major victories in next month's midterm election. Georgia Republicans, on the other hand, are hoping the recent White House victory that saw Brett Kavanaugh appointed to the U.S. Supreme Court will help them maintain political dominance in Georgia.

From now until Election Day, your local Patch will be offering the most comprehensive and thorough election coverage of the governor's race and all of the other local races, issues and referendums that matter to you.

Here's a look at recent developments in Georgia's nationally watched races:

• Georgia Shatters All-Time Voter Registration Numbers
• Georgia's Nationally Watched Governor's Race: News From The Week
• Kemp Leads Older Voters, Abrams Strong Among Women | New Poll
• 9,000+ Already Voted In Nation's Most Watched Governor's Race
• Obama Makes Endorsements In Two Big GA Congressional Races
• America's Most Watched Governor's Race: Early Voting Begins Soon

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