Overview
- The May 19 primary produced many contests with no majority winner and confirmed runoffs on June 16 for high-profile races including the Republican governor primary (Burt Jones vs. Rick Jackson), the Republican Senate primary (Mike Collins vs. Derek Dooley) and the Democratic primary in the 12th Congressional District (Ceretta Smith vs. Traci George).
- Keisha Lance Bottoms won the Democratic nomination for governor outright with about 56 percent and will skip a runoff and focus on the November general election.
- Georgia law requires more than 50 percent to avoid a runoff, which is why crowded fields in statewide and down-ballot races — including both parties’ lieutenant governor contests and some insurance and labor commissioner primaries — will return voters to the polls.
- Primary turnout was very low at roughly 8.3 percent of registered voters and political scientists say runoffs could see turnout fall to about half that level, forcing campaigns to rely on party lists, canvassing and so-called 'super voters' to decide nominees.
- Open seats and shakeups from retirements, members running for Senate and the recent congressional death have created extra competitive primaries and runoffs and recent redistricting and court activity mean the June outcomes will shape November matchups and party strategy.