What is a Runoff Election?

In the state of Georgia, if no candidate receives the majority of votes (over 50%) in the regular election, a runoff election is held. A runoff is basically a rematch that occurs when none of original candidates meet the criteria for winning in the first election. In the runoff, the two candidates who received the highest amount of votes will be on the ballot. The runoff election occurs 4 weeks after the original election, this year on December 6, 2022. 

Information from the GPB Website

What happened in the November 8th Election?

In the election for the Georgia U.S. Senator on November 8th, no candidate received over 50% of the votes.

  • Raphael Warnock received 49.4% of the votes, or 1,942,718 votes.
  • Herschel Walker received 48.5% of the votes, or 1,906,754 votes.
  • Chase Oliver received 2.1% of the votes, or 81231 votes.  

Information from the Associated Press 

What Happens Now?

Since no candidate received over 50% of the votes on the November 8th election, the two candidates with the highest percentage of votes will face each other again on December 6th. This means the runoff election will be between Raphael Warnock and Herschel Walker. 

Information from the GPB Website

Dates to Know
  • Election day for the runoff is December 6, 2022
  • To vote in the runoff election, you must be previously registered to vote for the 2022 Midterm Election on November 8, 2022, which was by November 7.
  • Early voting will occur in all GA counties Monday November 28, 2022 through Friday December 2, 2022
    • Some counties will offer additional early voting on Saturday November 26 and Sunday November 27, 2022
  • Last day to request an absentee ballot is November 28, 2022

Who is on the 2022 Runoff Ballot?

The following are candidates for the 2022 United States Senate Runoff Race:

More information about each candidate can be viewed on the 2022 Midterm Election Candidates page.

Herschel Walker (R)

The following information originates from  https://www.teamherschel.com/ 

Bio: Whether on the football field, in the classroom, at the Olympics, in Mixed Martial Arts, as CEO of multiple businesses, or as spokesman for the Patriot Support Program, Herschel’s work ethic, commitment to excellence, and love for America has inspired millions. Now, he is tackling his next challenge: winning a seat in the United States Senate.

Platform:

  • Putting Georgia First:
    • Herschel loves Georgia and wants to give back to the state that has given him so much. Georgia’s strong agriculture, tourism, film production, and manufacturing industries, along with the booming Savannah Port, have helped make Georgia the number one state for business. Herschel will fight every day in the Senate for policies that keep Georgia leading the way with job creation, lower taxes, and less government red tape.
  • Make America Energy Independent:
    • If there’s one thing we’ve learned from the past year, America cannot depend on other countries for our essential resources, including energy. Herschel will fight to make America energy independent once again, leading to lower gas prices, more American jobs being brought back from overseas, and stronger national security.
  • Protecting Conservative Family Values
    • Herschel’s upbringing in rural Georgia instilled a personal faith in God, which he carries with him to this day. He prays every day for this country, and with God’s help will bring those values with him to Washington. Herschel is a compassionate conservative who is pro-life and pro-family.
  • Support for Small Businesses and American Workers:
    • After a 15-year professional football career, Herschel decided to build his own business from the ground up. What started as a small operation has grown to be one of the largest minority-owned food suppliers in the United States. He knows firsthand the struggles of owning a business, balancing a budget, and dealing with government red tape. He will fight for lower taxes, fewer government regulations, and more free-market capitalism.

Beliefs on issues such as immigration, police, military, and more available here.

Incumbent: Raphael Warnock (D)

The following information originates from  https://warnockforgeorgia.com/ 

Bio: Senator Warnock is a proud graduate of Morehouse College; after graduating from Morehouse, he went onto earn a PhD and begin his career ordained in the ministry. For over 16 years, Senator Warnock has served as Senior Pastor at Ebenezer Baptist Church in Atlanta. Currently, Senator Warnock serves on the Agriculture, Nutrition and Forestry Committee; Banking, Housing and Urban Affairs Committee; Commerce, Science and Transportation Committee, as well as the Special Committee on Aging and the Joint Economic Committee.

Platform:

  • Reproductive Rights
    • As a pro-choice pastor, Warnock has both a profound reverence for life and an abiding respect for choice. He fundamentally believes that health care is a human right, and that health care decisions should be left between a patient and their doctor.
  • Jobs and the Economy
    • Reverend Warnock recognizes that things have gotten harder for families like his, and for many in Georgia, the American dream has never felt more out of reach. That’s why he believes that we need to rebuild an economy that works for everyone by creating good paying jobs, protecting the dignity of work, and fighting for fair wages and equitable employment practices in the workplace for all Americans. Fighting for workers also means Reverend Warnock will oppose Washington tax breaks that benefit the richest of the rich while leaving behind the poor and working families that need help the most.
  • Climate
    • Reverend Warnock believes we must accept the science, invest in infrastructure, and combat the climate crisis that is already at our door.
    • He believes environmental policy doesn’t just focus on addressing long-term challenges, but everyday problems. That means recognizing and resolving the lack of access to clean water and air many Black and brown families endure and the higher share of income those families regularly pay in energy bills.
  • Education
    • Reverend Warnock believes that your access to a good K-12 education shouldn’t depend on your zip code and that the cost of higher education should never be an obstacle to opportunity.
    • Reverend Warnock also understands that college isn’t for everyone, and is a strong believer in offering more opportunities like vocational training, trade schools, and apprenticeship programs that will get young people ready for a changing economy.

Beliefs on issues such as health care, immigration, criminal justice reform, and more available here

How Do I Vote Absentee?

Absentee ballots for the 2022 Atlanta Runoff Election must be requested by November 28, 2022. For more information regarding absentee voting, please visit our absentee voting page.

Absentee Voting

How Do I Vote Early?

The general rule for voting early for Georgia runoff Elections begins on Monday, November 28, 2022. However to view the specific details for each county please visit your County Board of Registrar's Office webstie.

County Board of Registrar's Office

Below are some unique rules for a few counties.

If you are registered to vote in Fulton County, early voting begins on Saturday, November 26, 2022 and runs every day through Friday, December 2, 2022. Polls will be open for early voting from 7AM to 7PM.

Additionally, Fulton County voters are eligible to vote on Georgia Tech's campus at Ferst Center. This polling location will be open November 28, 29, and 30 from 8:30AM to 5 PM.

For more information on early voting in Fulton County, visit Fulton County's website.

Early Voting in Fulton

If you are registered to vote in DeKalb County, early voting begins on Saturday, November 26, 2022 and runs every day through Friday, December 2, 2022. Polls are open these days from 7AM to 7PM. 

For more information on early voting in DeKalb County, visit DeKalb County's website.

Early Voting in DeKalb

 

Information from Fulton County website and DeKalb County website.