Sec'y of State's Office: runoff turnout a wildcard

Muscogee Co. voters waiting at the Columbus Public Library to cast their ballot in the previous round of early voting. (Dave Bender/file)

Early voting for the December 2nd runoff election began today in Fulton Co., a day after polling stations opened across much of Georgia.

Fulton had ballot counting issues in the November fourth elections. Counties must start early voting as soon as their ballots are printed, have until Wednesday to open stations.

Fulton Co. elections officials were unavailable for comment.

Voters are casting ballots for the U.S. Senate race, Georgia State Appeals Court and the Public Service Commission's District 4.

Matt Carrothers with the Secretary of State's office says it's tough to predict turnout numbers in this runoff:

“Historically, turnout is lower in a runoff election. However, this is a unique situation with being in both a presidential election year, and with a us senate race, two other statewide races – we could have higher than usual [turnout].”

Click here for more GPB News coverage of the state races.

Early voting for runoff races begins

Muscogee County voters during early elections at the Columbus Public Library. (Dave Bender/file)

Voters in most Georgia counties began casting ballots in several runoff races today. Dave Bender reports.

At the top of the list is the hotly-contested U.S. Senate runoff race between Republican incumbent Saxby Chambliss and Democratic challenger Jim Martin.

Former presidential candidate John McCain and other senior Republican leaders have come out for Chambliss.

Former Arkansas Governor Mike Huckabee addressed voters in Duluth on Sunday.

Former President Bill Clinton is set to arrive for a Martin rally on Wednesday.

Also in the offing are races for the Georgia State Appeals Court and the Public Service Commission's District 4.

Early voting in Fulton County begins Tuesday.

Fulton County voters go to the polls in the previous round of early voting. (Dave Bender/file)

The runoff is set for December second.

Both Chambliss and Martin are looking for new ways to coax weary Georgia voters back to the polls next month in one of the nation's most hotly contested Senate races.

Click here for more GPB election coverage.

Huckabee touts Chambliss, 'Fair Tax'

Former Arkansas Governor and presidential hopeful Mike Huckabee makes a point to the crowd about the Fair Tax as Republican Senator Saxby Chambliss, his wife Julianne and Fair Tax officials look on, during a rally at the Gwinnett Center in Duluth, Ga., Nov. 16, 2008. (Dave Bender)

Former Arkansas Governor Mike Huckabee on Sunday backed Republican Senator Saxby Chambliss in the December second runoff against Democrat Jim Martin.

Speaking after a heavily attended rally at the Gwinnett Center in Duluth, Huckabee says the race's outcome will influence the effect the Republican Party will have on the nation:

“This man stands for the things that, not only Georgians stand for, but most of America, really, stands for. We lose this vote, and we lose the capacity to really stand firm on those issues. This is a critical election for all of us around America who care deeply about things that are important to Georgians.”

Some 2,000 fervent Chambliss and the Fair Tax supporters packed the hall.

Seventh District Congressman John Linder, Insurance Commissioner John Oxendine and Fair Tax supporter Neal Boortz also spoke at the rally.

The proposal would eliminate income tax and the Internal Revenue Service, and put in place a national sales tax instead.

Former President Bill Clinton is due to headline a rally for Martin this coming Wednesday.

Early voting for the race begins Monday.

Click here for more GPB News election coverage.

Fulton wraps absentee counting

State elections officials are a step closer to officially determining whether Georgia’s U.S. Senate race will have to go to a runoff. That closer step came just before midnight, when election workers in Fulton County wrapped-up the counting of nearly 31,000 absentee ballots. Certification should come by tomorrow.

Fulton county has been in spotlight for taking overtime to count votes, which has drawn the anger of Secretary of State Karen Handel, who’s called for an investigation. On Wednesday morning, Fulton County poll workers were allowed to leave early for a rest. Handel threatened to report the county to the state elections board for violation of Georgia election laws. But Fulton County Voter Education Coordinator Mark Henderson says the county took steps to make sure no laws were broken:

"Our director called our board chair, who then called the county attorney to interpret the election code to see if it would be a violation. Our county attorney didn't see a violation based on the state of Georgia's elections code".

The Atlanta Journal-Constitution reports this morning that the Office of Inspector General will conduct a complete investigation of Fulton County.