Georgia Senate Primary Could Be Earliest in State’s History

Georgia primaries usually take place in July or later. But a federal judge ruled Georgia’s Senate primaries should take place on June 3. That way, any runoff can occur 45 days after that, as required by federal law. Republican Secretary of State Brian Kemp, whose office oversees elections, says the date could be moved up to May 20.

“I don’t know that there’s been a decision made,” Kemp says. “That’s certainly been something that’s been talked about. There’s some logistical issues with the June 3 date. The mandatory Saturday vote in that cycle would actually be the Saturday before Memorial Day.”

That would likely mean low turnout and poll workers working on a weekend. Kemp says any date change would have to be approved by the General Assembly or a federal judge. The GOP race, which has 7 candidates, is bound to have a runoff.

However, Kemp denied Democrat Michelle Nunn’s entry into the race has Republicans worried.

“I mean, it’s a free country,” he says. “Anybody can run for U.S. Senate. So, we’ll see what happens.”

Only two other Democratic candidates have entered the race so far.