Georgia has reported a record turnout on the first day of early voting in the United States elections, with over 251,000 voters casting their ballots. The state, a key battleground in the presidential race, saw a surge in early voter participation, breaking its previous record set in 2020. Georgia, with its 16 Electoral College votes, is one of seven swing states that could lean either Democrat or Republican in this election cycle. Both Vice President Kamala Harris and former President Donald Trump are vying for victory in the state.
Trump, who narrowly lost to Biden in 2020, has been actively campaigning in Georgia, while Harris is set to hold her own event in the city. Recent polls show the two candidates in a close race, with concerns about a potential softening in Black voter support for Harris. Trump’s campaign has been making efforts to appeal to Black voters, capitalizing on claims that migrants are taking jobs from the Black community. In response, Harris has released policy plans aimed at addressing issues impacting Black men, such as forgivable business loans and legalizing marijuana.
However, questions about Georgia’s election proceedings persist, fueled by Trump’s false claims of fraud. A recent court ruling clarified that local election board members must certify election results, dispelling concerns that some members would refuse to do so. The ruling also addressed a challenge to a new rule requiring hand-counting of ballots, which experts warn could lead to delays and fuel conspiracy theories about the election results. Amidst these challenges, voter enthusiasm remains high in Georgia as the presidential race enters its final stretch before November 5.
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