VALDOSTA, Ga. (WTXL) — Two Georgian Senate seats are up for grabs on the Jan. 5 ballot, and experts say no matter how or when you plan to vote, make sure you get registered today, as this is not a race you'll want to sit out.
"Normally, these things are not a giant issue," said Valdosta State University Political Science Professor Dr. Bernard Tamas. "But this time they are, and this is an exceptionally important election, and it has to do with control over the United States Senate."
Experts like Dr. Tamas and Lowndes County Supervisor of elections Deb Cox said the runoff circumstances are unprecedented.
"The variables this year are wildly different than any other year," said Cox. "You know we've got COVID, we've got contentious politics, we've got two very strong parties. I think they are far too many variables to base turn out probabilities on one thing."
Tamas added that the race could be thrown to either party based on even the smallest number of votes.
That's why voters like Regina Dawkins are making the trip to the board of elections office to drop off their ballots and make sure their vote counts.
"I listen to the news regularly, and I understand all of the shenanigans that are going on with the Postal Service, and I just don't trust that my ballot will be where it needs to be in time, so I'm personally bringing it in," said Dawkins.
If you're undecided about the impact your vote will have, Tamas says you should remember the pivotal impact the race could have when "deciding whether or not to vote or thinking 'well the presidential election is over, so it doesn't matter.' Well, it actually matters a great deal right now who wins this election."
Georgia voters have until 11:59 p.m. on Dec. 7 to register online.
