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Tuesday, Dec 2, 2008 10:45 PM UTC

Low turnout in Georgia run-off

Good news for Republican Sen. Saxby Chambliss, who looks likely to win re-election.

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Topics: 2008 Elections, War Room, Saxby Chambliss, R-Ga.,

The heavy turnout on Election Day — and, for that matter, during early voting — is apparently not carrying over into the vote going on in Georgia today. The New York Times says there are short lines at the polling places where voters are going for a run-off between Republican Sen. Saxby Chambliss and challenger Jim Martin, a Democrat.

The Times’ Robbie Brown calls turnout “critical to both candidates’ success.” Of course, that’s technically true. But really, as in most elections, turnout is most important to the Democrats in this case, and this is not a good sign for Martin. Worse, from his perspective, is that African American turnout has been low during early voting. Prior to the general election, blacks made up 35 percent of early voters. Their share this time around stands at about 23 percent. On Nov. 4, African Americans went heavily for Martin; according to exit polling, he won 93 percent of that demographic.

Polls close at 7 p.m. EST – we’ll be bringing you the results.

Alex Koppelman is a staff writer for Salon. More Alex Koppelman.

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