Ballot boxes open for complicated Georgia Senate elections | Now

In the US state of Georgia, voters can go to the polls on Tuesday from 7:00 am (Dutch time until 1:00 pm) to elect two senators. This decision will have a major impact on the balance of power in Congress and the first term of President Joe Biden.

Voting officially ends at 7pm (1am Dutch time), but by law in Georgia, pre-registered voters can cast their ballots in a row at the polls.

Logistics issues led to long queues at polling stations in previous elections in Georgia. This mainly happened in urban areas like the capital Atlanta. State election officials said they expect softer elections this time around.

Republican David Bertue, 71, defends his Senate seat against his Democratic challenger, documentary filmmaker John Osoff, 33. His party colleague is Kelly Lofler, 50, and Democrat Rafael Warnock, 51.

Georgia has one of more than three million residents Early vote Published. This is 40 per cent of the total registered voters in the state.

If there are clear winners, the results will be announced overnight from Tuesday to Wednesday. If the differences are small, they may take a few days.

Republicans currently have a majority of 52 seats in the Senate, while Democrats have 48 Senate seats. If the Democrats from Georgia win both seats, they will get their hands on it, thanks to the vote of incoming Vice President Kamala Harris. Without a majority, it would be difficult for future President Biden to implement his policy agenda.

Trump put pressure on Georgia election officials

Georgia elected Democratic presidential candidate Joe Biden in November. The former Republican stronghold turned blue for the first time since 1992 and became one of the decisive oscillating states.

Incumbent President Donald Trump and Republicans have challenged the election results in Georgia, arguing that Democrats are guilty of widespread electoral fraud. In several court cases they have failed to provide evidence for that statement. Even two reviews in Georgia had no other effect.

Following a phone call leaked by Trump earlier this week, he pressured Republican politicians and Georgia election officials to “find” votes that could crown him a winner. The president appeared to be threatening them with possible criminal charges.

Senators Bertou and Lofler support the president’s claim that he was a victim of fraud.