In the US state of Georgia, the polling stations for the Senate elections are closed at 1.00 a.m. Dutch time. Democratic candidates Jon Ossoff and Raphael Warnock lead in the first digits against Republican senators David Perdue and Kelly Loeffler.
In the November elections, none of the four candidates managed to get 50 percent of the vote. According to Georgia law, a second round was therefore required.
Around 3 a.m. Dutch time, 50 percent of the expected number of votes had been counted. Democrat Ossoff leads with 52.8 percent of the vote in the election race against Republican Perdue (47.2 percent). The other Democratic candidate, Raphael Warnock, is in the lead with 53.2 percent versus Senator Loeffler’s 46.8 percent.
The first numbers may be flattering in favor of the Democrats, as most of the votes counted first are from urban districts where Democrats are predominantly voted. In addition, the votes that have now been counted exist according to news channel CNN for 90 percent from votes cast early. In the presidential elections in November, it was mainly Democratic voters who cast their votes early.
Because many Americans vote by mail because of the corona pandemic, the results may take longer than usual.
The Georgia elections are decisive as to who will rule the Senate in Washington. If Republicans maintain their majority in the upper house of the US Parliament, they could make things difficult for incoming President Joe Biden with his policies and appointments for the next four years.
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