GPB News Election 2022 (Box of Delight)

Welcome to the GPB News Election 2022 blog! Bookmark this page for live updates throughout the day on Tuesday, Nov. 8, 2022, and visit GPB.org/elections for additional coverage. Be sure to tune in to GPB Radio on election night from 7 to 8 p.m. ET for early returns and analysis.
 

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12:54 p.m., Nov. 9, 2022

 

Thank you for joining our Election Day blog!

This will be our final post. But we will continue election coverage here:

GPB.org/elections
 

The Georgia Secretary of State's office has released results that show 100% of precincts reporting and neither U.S. Senator Raphael Warnock (D) nor his challenger Hershel Walker (R) has won 50% of the vote. Any details of a Dec. 6 runoff will be available when they are announced.

Sec. State website Nov. 9 2022 US Senate race

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8:22 a.m., Nov. 9, 2022

Good morning. Not much has changed overnight. 

For real-time election results and latest news stories from GPB News, NPR, AP and partners, visit our elections page.

The winners and projected winners in Georgia's races include

  • Republican Gov. Brian Kemp, whom voters chose for a second term over two-time Democratic challenger, Stacey Abrams;
  • Republican Lieutenant Gov. Burt Jones, who at this hour leads in his race against Democrat Charlie Bailey despite being labeled an election denier; 
  • Attorney Chris Carr, the Republican incumbent who at this hour leads Democrat Jen Jordan;
  • Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger, the Republican incumbent who won against Democrat Bee Nguyen and blocked former president Trump's attempts to "find" more votes after the 2020 election;
     

The race for U.S. Senate between Democratic incumbent Raphael Warnock and Republican opponent Herschel Walker is too close to call at this hour and likely headed to a runoff on Dec. 6.
 

Reactions to yesterday's elections include Lieutenant Gov. Geoff Duncan, who did not seek reelection this year. 

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12:40 a.m., Nov. 9, 2022

Results are in for most Georgia races and the winners and projected winners include

  • Republican Gov. Brian Kemp, whom voters chose for a second term over two-time Democratic challenger, Stacey Abrams;
  • Republican Lieutenant Gov. Burt Jones, who at this hour leads in his race against Democrat Charlie Bailey despite being labeled an election denier; 
  • Attorney Chris Carr, the Republican incumbent who at this hour leads Democrat Jen Jordan;
  • Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger, the Republican incumbent who won against Democrat Bee Nguyen and blocked former president Trump's attempts to "find" more votes after the 2020 election;
     

The race for U.S. Senate between Democratic incumbent Raphael Warnock and Republican opponent Herschel Walker is too close to call at this hour and likely headed to a runoff on Dec. 6.

For real-time election results and latest news stories, visit our elections page.

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11:54 p.m., Nov. 8, 2022

Democratic incumbent U.S. Rep. Sanford Bishop has kept his seat after defeating Republican challenger Chris West.

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11:26 p.m., Nov. 8, 2022

Democrat Bee Nguyen has conceded the race for Georgia Secretary of State to Republican incumbent Brad Raffensperger.

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11:15 p.m., Nov. 8, 2022

Democrat Stacey Abrams has conceded the race for Georgia governor to Republican incumbent Gov. Brian Kemp.

Gov. Brian Kemp celebrates his reelection win over Stacey Abrams late Nov. 8, 2022.
Caption

Gov. Brian Kemp gives a thumbs-up sign in celebration of his reelection win over Stacey Abrams late Nov. 8, 2022.

Credit: Sofi Gratas / GPB News

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10:06 p.m., Nov. 8, 2022

GPB plans to live stream speeches from candidates as video becomes available. 

Live from Stacey Abrams' Campaign Headquarters

Live from Sen. Raphael Warnock’s Campaign Headquarters

 

Gabriel Sterling from the Georgia Secretary of State's office gave the final election update of the night on Nov. 8, 2022

Caption

Gabriel Sterling from the Georgia Secretary of State's office gives an election update on Nov. 8, 2022

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9:40 p.m., Nov. 8, 2022

From GPB's Grant Blankenship:

Republican poll watchers scrutinize the first batch of returns at the Bibb County Board of Elections on Tuesday night.

Republican poll watchers scrutinize the first batch of returns at the Bibb County Board of Elections Tuesday night.
Caption

Republican poll watchers scrutinize the first batch of returns at the Bibb County Board of Elections Tuesday night.

Credit: Grant Blanenkship / GPB News

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9:04 p.m., Nov. 8, 2022

From GPB's Riley Bunch:

Atlanta Mayor Andre Dickens gives a speech at Stacey Abrams' election night watch party.

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From GPB's Tristan Smith:
 

GPB News' Stephen Fowler at an event for Sen. Raphael Warnock at the Marriott Marquis in downtown Atlanta.

GPB News' Stephen Fowler covers an event for Sen. Raphael Warnock at the Marriott Marquis in downtown Atlanta on election night.
Caption

GPB News' Stephen Fowler covers an event for Sen. Raphael Warnock at the Marriott Marquis in downtown Atlanta on election night.

Credit: Tristan Smith / GPB News

 

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8:35 p.m., Nov. 8, 2022

From GPB's Sofi Gratas:

People gather at the campaign party for Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp on Nov. 8, 2022, at the Coca-Cola Roxy in Cobb County. Kemp is running for the second time against Democrat Stacey Abrams.
Caption

People gather at the campaign party for Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp on Nov. 8, 2022, at the Coca-Cola Roxy in Cobb County. Kemp is running for the second time against Democrat Stacey Abrams.

Credit: Sofi Gratas/GPB News

People gather at the campaign party for Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp on Nov. 8, 2022, at the Coca-Cola Roxy in Cobb County. Kemp is running for the second time against Democrat Stacey Abrams.
Caption

People gather at the campaign party for Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp on Nov. 8, 2022, at the Coca-Cola Roxy in Cobb County. Kemp is running for the second time against Democrat Stacey Abrams.

Credit: Sofi Gratas/GPB News

People gather at the campaign party for Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp on Nov. 8, 2022, at the Coca-Cola Roxy in Cobb County. Kemp is running for the second time against Democrat Stacey Abrams.
Caption

People gather at the campaign party for Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp on Nov. 8, 2022, at the Coca-Cola Roxy in Cobb County. Kemp is running for the second time against Democrat Stacey Abrams.

Credit: Sofi Gratas / GPB News

Kaya Palmer stares at merchandise at the campaign party for Gov. Brian Kemp on Nov. 8, 2022, at the Coca-Cola Roxy in Cobb County. Kemp is running for the second time against Democrat Stacey Abrams.

"He's very conservative. We like the way he operates," says Kaya's dad, Nathanial Palmer, who does real estate investment. "We're pro-business and he's pro-business."

Although Nathanial Palmer can't vote yet because he's not a U.S. citizen, he said his wife, Stacy, voted for Kemp during his last bid for governor in 2018.

A child at a Brian Kemp event on Nov. 8, 2022
Caption

Kaya Palmer stares at merchandise at the campaign party for Gov. Brian Kemp on Nov. 8, 2022, at the Coca-Cola Roxy in Cobb County.

Credit: Sofi Gratas / GPB News

 

From GPB's Orlando Montoya:

Joe Webb of Smyrna says he spent Tuesday holding signs for a local candidate whose race was decided last night and will campaign for Walker if needed.

“I would give Herschel 110% if it gets into a runoff because he is, I believe, a good man and he’s a lot smarter than people think he is.”

LISTEN: Voter Joe Webb speaks with GPB News about his support for Herschel Walker at an event on Nov. 8, 2022.

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7:20 p.m., Nov. 8, 2022

From GPB's Tristan Smith:

Supporters of Sen. Raphael Warnock begin to gather in a ballroom at Atlanta's Marriott Marquis hotel shortly after polls close.

Sen. Warnock event on Nov. 8, 2022
Caption

Supporters gather at Sen. Rafael Warnock's election night campaign headquarters

Credit: Tristan Smith/GPB News

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7 p.m., Nov. 8, 2022

 

Gabriel Sterling gives a 7:00 p.m. update from the Georgia Secretary of State's office on Nov. 8, 2022

Caption

Gabriel Sterling gives a 7:00 p.m. update from the Georgia Secretary of State's office on Nov. 8, 2022

Live on GPB Radio now:

Peter Biello, host of All Things Considered, leads our special election night coverage. GPB reporters will check in from campaign headquarters and experts and political analysts will weigh in.

Listen on GPB Radio or watch the special on Facebook live. 

 

Peter Biello and guests in the GPB News talk studio
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Peter Biello and guests in the GPB News talk studio on Nov. 8, 2022

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6:55 p.m., Nov. 8, 2022

 

Polls in Georgia close at 7:00 p.m.

GPB.org/elections is your resource for updated election-related news in Georgia. 

Visit the page for results, news, analysis and more.

GPB will present election results in real-time at GPB.org/elections
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GPB will present election results in real-time at GPB.org/elections

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6:35 p.m., Nov. 8, 2022

Tune in tonight at 7 p.m. for a live one-hour election night special hosted by GPB's Peter Biello, host of All Things Considered. GPB reporters will check in from campaign headquarters and experts and political analysts will weigh in.

Polls in Georgia close at 7 p.m.
 

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6 p.m., Nov. 8, 2022

From GPB's Riley Bunch:

Here's the scene at the Hyatt Regency in downtown Atlanta just before Democratic gubernatorial candidate Stacey Abrams' supporters arrived.

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4:37 p.m., Nov. 8, 2022

Update from the Secretary of State's office:

Caption

Gabriel Sterling from the Georgia Secretary of State’s office gives an Election Day update

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3 p.m., Nov. 8, 2022

Update from Cobb County:

Two Cobb County voting precincts will remain open past 7 p.m. after delays in opening for the general election.

Superior Court Judge Gregory Poole signed the order, which will extend the voting hours of the Kennesaw 3A precinct at the Ben Roberston Community Center until 7:45 p.m. The Oregon 03 precinct at the Fair Oaks Community Center will accept in-person voting until 7:06 p.m.

Elections workers experienced delays in preparing the precinct to open, prompting the request to the judge.

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2:50 p.m., Nov. 8, 2022

From GPB's Amanda Andrews:

Travis Cox, a Fulton County voter, says this election season has been stressful.

"I feel like there's a lot of momentum in the Republican Party, a lot of voter apathy and nervousness running this election," he said. "So I hope the numbers turn out today."

Travis Cox, a Fulton County voter, photographed after voting on Nov. 8, 2022
Caption

Travis Cox, a Fulton County voter, photographed after voting on Nov. 8, 2022.

Credit: Amanda Andrews / GPB News

LISTEN: Travis Cox, a Fulton County voter, speaks with GPB News on Nov. 8, 2022

Rachael Panik is a young Fulton County voter who says this election season has felt very different than others for her.

"Both sides of the spectrum are moving further away from each other," Panik said. "And so voting feels like there's so much identity wrapped up in like how you decide to vote and who you choose to vote for. In a way that has, I don't know, I mean, I'm a young voter, youngish voter, only 28. So I haven't voted that many times, but in a way, and least in my life feels more extreme right now. So definitely feel stressful, but it feels, again, like a civic duty that I need to do."

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2 p.m., Nov. 8, 2022

From GPB's Riley Bunch:

Spelman students Nya Morgan, 20, and Kai Ingram, 20, waited to see U.S. Sen. Rev. Raphael Warnock who spoke at his alma mater, Morehouse College, on Election Day.    Both voted absentee for their respective home states, but said it's important for them to stay engaged and encourage others to participate in Georgia politics.
Caption

Spelman students Nya Morgan, 20, and Kai Ingram, 20, waited to see U.S. Sen. Raphael Warnock, who spoke at his alma mater, Morehouse College, on Election Day. Both voted absentee for their respective home states, but said it's important for them to stay engaged and encourage others to participate in Georgia politics.

Credit: Riley Bunch/GPB News

Spelman students Nya Morgan, 20, and Kai Ingram, 20, waited to see U.S. Sen. Raphael Warnock, who spoke at his alma mater, Morehouse College, on Election Day.

Both voted absentee for their respective home states, but said it's important for them to stay engaged and encourage others to participate in Georgia politics.

When asked what their pitch is to young Georgia voters who haven't made their way to the polls, Morgan said: "it doesn't hurt to vote."

"If something does happen that you wouldn't want to happen at least you can say 'I voted to try to stop that,'" she said. "And if something does happen that you feel like you are in support of you can say 'I voted in support of that and that is something I'm proud of.'"

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From GPB's Benjamin Payne:

LISTEN: Republican poll watcher Robin Boaen discusses early voting.

Benjamin Payne, GPB News

1:55 p.m., Nov. 8, 2022

Many counties are reporting that lines at polling places are short. This map from Fulton County displays the wait times at polling places. As of 1:30 p.m., the longest line was seven minutes.

 

This Fulton County polling location map displays current wait times for voters.
Caption

This Fulton County polling location map displays current wait times for voters.

 

From GPB's Grant Blankenship in Warner Robins:

After record turnout during early voting, the scene in many Georgia polling places on Election Day was slow. "It's boring," said one poll worker in Warner Robins.

Voters at a polling place in Warner Robins encountered few lines on Nov. 8, 2022
Caption

Voters at a polling place in Warner Robins encountered few lines on Nov. 8, 2022

Credit: Grant Blankenship / GPB News

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1:15 p.m., Nov. 8, 2022

From GPB's Grant Blankenship in Houston County:

Houston County Democrat Evelyn Tharpe says she knocked on 3,000 doors over four weeks heading into Election Day.

Houston County Voter
Caption

Houston County voter Evelyn Tharpe (right) speaks with a fellow citizen.

Credit: Grant Blankenship / GPB News

"I'm voting for positive changes for the people," she said.

She hopes to see more affordable housing and a brand new slate of elected officials.

LISTEN: Evelyn Tharpe speaks to GPB News on Nov. 8, 2022.

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12:45 p.m., Nov. 8, 2022

Earlier today, Gabriel Sterling provided a voting update from the secretary of state's office.

Caption

Gabriel Sterling spoke on behalf of the Secretary of State's office at a press conference on Nov.8, 2022

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From GPB's Amanda Andrews in Fulton County:

"It is incredibly slow at many polling stations," Andrews said. "One poll worker said a lot of people voted early or this morning and they don't expect to see folks back again until after 5 p.m."

Meanwhile, Atlanta TV station 11Alive reported that two poll workers in Fulton County were "removed" as a result of social media posts. Other minor issues were resolved.

At a press conference this morning, Fulton County Registrations and Elections Board Chair Cathy Woodard said, "I'm really pleased to say things are going smoothly to date and we anticipate things will go smoothly today because we have anticipated as much as we can with such a large number of people voting, locations, distances ... there's always the opportunity for things to not go as well as we want them to. But at this point, we are very pleased with how things are going."

 

From GPB's Donna Lowry in South Fulton: 

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From GPB's Benjamin Payne in Savannah:
 

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9:20 a.m., Nov. 8, 2022

Georgia voters wait in line outside of a Fulton County polling location at 8:30 a.m. on Nov. 8, Election Day, ahead of casting their ballots in the crucial midterm election.
Caption

Georgia voters wait in line outside of a Fulton County polling location at 8:30 a.m. on Nov. 8, Election Day, ahead of casting their ballots in the crucial midterm election.

Credit: Riley Bunch/GPB News

Georgia voters wait in line outside of a Fulton County polling location on Nov. 8, Election Day, ahead of casting their ballots in the crucial midterm election.

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9 a.m., Nov. 8, 2022

WATCH: Bill Nigut and the Political Rewind team are live NOW with panelists Stephen Fowler from GPB News, Tamar Hallerman from The Atlanta Journal-Constitution, Andra Gillespie and Rick Dent.

Watch HERE.

Political Rewind Nov. 8, 2022

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WATCH: Georgia Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger is set to hold a press conference starting between 9:30 and 10 a.m.

Watch HERE.

Sec State Nov. 8

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8:25 a.m., Nov. 8, 2022

Polling locations opened at 7 a.m. and voters were eager to cast their ballots.

From GPB's Ellen Eldridge in Cherokee County:
 

From GPB's Grant Blankenship in Macon:

Lines were short at the Howard Community Center in Macon.
 

Voting in Macon
Caption

There were short lines at the Howard Community Center shortly after voting began Tuesday morning in Macon, Ga..

Credit: Grant Blankenship / GPB News

Janine Ellis tells GPB News the issues that brought her to the polls today.

LISTEN: Outside the Howard Community Center in Macon, Janine Ellis tells GPB News why she's voting today.

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8 a.m., Nov. 8, 2022

Good morning! We are posting live election updates throughout the day, starting with a recap of voting numbers thus far.
 

From GPB's Stephen Fowler in Atlanta:

Record early voting

Georgia voters showed up in record numbers for a midterm election during the state's three week in-person early voting. At the end of early voting Friday, Nov. 4, more than 2.5 million people had voted by mail or in person.

The early voting period was marked by a higher share of older voters and Black voters than similar times in previous elections, as hotly contested races for governor and U.S. senator have drawn unprecedented fundraising and interest in midterm elections in the state.

New absentee by mail rules enacted under Georgia's sweeping Senate Bill 202 saw a shorter window to request a mail-in ballot, with a deadline of Friday, Oct. 28. According to the state's absentee voter file, roughly 279,000 Georgians requested a mail-in ballot and more than 231,000 of them have already been returned.

See more details about Georgia's early voting numbers here.