As the clock strikes 7 p.m. ET, polls are closing in various states across the nation, with a particular focus on the pivotal battleground state of Georgia. Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger has announced that approximately 10 polling locations in a select number of Georgia counties will remain open late due to non-credible threats that briefly disrupted the voting process.
The states where polls are closing and the corresponding electoral votes at stake are as follows:
- Georgia: 16 electoral votes
- Indiana: 11 electoral votes
- Kentucky: 8 electoral votes
- South Carolina: 9 electoral votes
- Vermont: 3 electoral votes
- Virginia: 13 electoral votes
Georgia's significance in the current electoral landscape cannot be overstated. The state emerged as a critical battleground in the 2020 presidential election, playing a pivotal role in securing Joe Biden's victory. Notably, Georgia shifted to the Democratic column for the first time in nearly three decades, with Biden clinching victory by a mere 11,779 votes.
Fast forward to the present, and Georgia remains a focal point of national attention, with polls indicating a closely contested presidential race within the state. The aftermath of the 2020 election saw Georgia thrust into the spotlight, as former President Trump urged state officials, including Republican Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger, to manipulate the vote count in his favor. Subsequently, Trump and several of his associates are facing legal repercussions for their actions during the 2020 election in Georgia.