Gubernatorial candidates make final push to encourage voters to get to the polls

ATLANTA — After record-setting early voting, the race for Georgia governor will come down to the voters who show up on Election Day.

Most people have already decided who they’re going to vote for.

It now comes down to getting those voters to the polls Tuesday.

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Roughly 30% of Georgians voted early - a record number for a non-presidential election.

That leaves 70% to vote Tuesday, and both sides want to make sure their supporters do that.

Republican Gov. Brian Kemp arrived at the Fulton County Airport bright and early Monday morning as he joined other statewide GOP candidates on a flying tour across Georgia to encourage people to vote.

“We are targeting every voter in this state including the suburbs, a lot of other voters that traditionally haven’t voted Republican in the last cycle because we have a good message for all Georgians,” Kemp said.

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It all comes down to which candidate can get their supporters to the polls.

Kemp says he’s been traveling around the state to do just that.

“We spent the last two weeks working all of South Georgia. We were on the Southwest side one week, the Southeast side the other week, and this week we’ve really been I-20, North,” Kemp said.

Monday afternoon, Democratic challenger Stacey Abrams visited the campus of Georgia State University trying to encourage younger, first-time voters go to the polls Tuesday.

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“We need to reach all voters but we know young voters, especially this generation, like to vote on Election Day so we’re here to remind them,” Abrams said.

She thinks the record early voting turnout could mean good news for her campaign.

“I’m very excited that we are seeing record turnout. We are seeing continued enthusiasm across the state. We know that early voting is a very strong predictor of what can happen, and we’re bullish on our chances,” Abrams said.

When asked if she would be happy with a runoff, Abrams said a runoff would be a good place to be, but she’s also confident she can win without one.

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Warnock-Walker in dead heat, Kemp leads Abrams in final poll conducted by AJC and UGA The poll also shows how a split-ticket dynamic continues to be a factor.

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