Polls Open In Georgia For Senate Runoff

December 2, 2008 7:19 a.m. EST

Atlanta, GA (AHN) - Voting has begun in the last Senate race this election cycle. Polls for the runoff between Sen. Saxby Chambliss (R-GA) and Democrat Jim Martin opened at 7:00 am ET in Georgia.

The race in Georgia is one of two crucial remaining Senate contests that have yet to be called. In Minnesota, Sen. Norm Coleman (R-MN) and Democratic-Farmer-Labor Party candidate Al Franken are currently in a dispute over absentee and missing ballots as election officials recount all votes manually. Democratic wins in both states would give Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-NV) a 60-vote majority that would be able to block Republican filibusters.

The latest statewide survey released late Monday by InsiderAdvantage has Chambliss, a first-term senator, leading with 50 percent. Martin, a former state representative, trails with 46 percent while 4 percent account for undecided voters. The survey was conducted on Nov. 30 among 744 registered, likely voters. The margin of error is 3.5 percent.

Both candidates made their final push on Monday with major rallies after weeks of campaigning with party heavyweights.

Chambliss campaigned with Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin in four rallies; he previously had Sen. John McCain (R-AZ), former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee and former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney on the trail for him.

Martin held get-out-the-vote rallies in Augusta and Macon, then hosted a "Rally for Change" with rapper Ludacris early evening at the Georgia State Capitol. The Democrat previously had former President Bill Clinton and former Vice President Al Gore stumping for him.

Chambliss only led with 49.8 percent while Martin trailed with 46.8 percent when election results were certified on Nov. 13. A runoff is required under state law when no candidate gets more than 50 percent of the vote.

Polls in Georgia are scheduled to close at 7:00 pm ET.