Today, Georgia is holding a run-off election between Democrat Rapheal Warnock and Republican Herschel Walker for a position in the US Senate. Though only one seat, the position holds consequential significance for the future of the US government and its ability to pass major legislation. 

Run-off elections in Georgia only occur when there is no candidate with over fifty percent of the votes, despite one having a majority over the other. On November 8, for example, both candidates failed to reach this threshold particularly due to increased voter turnout towards Libertarian Senate candidate Chase Oliver.

“There’s been a lot of work done at the state level to increase voter turnout. Chase Oliver’s large focus on transgender rights and LGBTQ issues take the negative, as perspective on those beliefs have caused majority of people to turn away from supporting those candidates,” said AP Government teacher Samuel Weaver.

In recent years, Georgia has grown increasingly Democratic. Breaking away from its history as a Republican stronghold, it has become contested territory that both parties consider fresh ground for political pursuits.

“The Democratic Party’s message and what they prioritize resonates with the larger population centers like Atlanta and the surrounding suburbs. And then, the more rural areas in Georgia are largely Republican strongholds. Republican values and platforms resonate with those people more,” said AP World History teacher Christopher Murphy.

In the last two years, the US senate has been equally divided between one hundred seats. As the ruling party often loses seats during midterm elections, senate positions in swing states around the country become crucial, as they can alter the agenda for the bills and laws passed in Congress. 

“For the next two years, the Senate is roughly equally divided amongst the Republicans and Democrats. The election can have a big effect on the laws that Joe Biden passes and may affect future elections such as the 2024 election,” said Shlok Sharma (‘25).

As ballots continue to be counted, people will have to wait, watch, and listen as the future of this election and the will of the people persist in the name of democracy, freedom, and the right to vote.