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ATLANTA – Voters are voting today in the much-anticipated mid-term elections.
Perhaps the biggest decision is who will become Georgia's next governor.
The race is so tight that there could be a runoff.
We cover all angles of the election and will provide updates throughout the day on Channel 2 Action News.
Voters from 51 local counties vote.
Polling stations opened at 7:00 am Tuesday.
With the governor and the lieutenant governor, 56 seats in the Senate and 180 seats in the House are up for grabs.
[How Channel 2 Action News will cover Election Day]
In Georgia, more than 2 million people voted early for the mid-term elections – more than any other mid-term election in state history.
The state secretary's office released the figures Monday, a day before polling day.
Until the last day of advance polls, on November 2, the Georgians deposited 2,071,830 ballots, with 1,886,905 people in person and 184,925 by mail.
In the general elections of November 4, 2014, 945,507 advance votes were registered, or 838,484 people in person and 107,023 by mail, during a mid-term election.
[READ: 4 tips on how to avoid stress before and after Election Day]
COVERAGE OF THE 2018 ELECTIONS:
Sunday's liquor sales, park financing and property tax relief are pending a vote in some jurisdictions. In addition, the controversial referendum on the city of Eagle's Landing is being monitored throughout the metropolitan area, as it could open a new path for communities wishing to move away from existing cities.
Here's an overview of the key races and voting issues in your area:
COUNTY CLAYTON
No contested race.
School board
Clayton County Schools has four school board seats, but only one is in competition.
In District 9, which represents schools in Clayton's central county around Morrow, Democratic President Benjamin A. Straker Sr. faces a challenge from Republican Kimberly E. Cowan-Keane.
Democrats Jasmine Bowles, District 1; Victoria Williams in District 4; and Alieka Anderson in District 8.
COBB COUNTY
District 3 Cobb electors will elect a representative to the Council of Commissioners. Republican incumbent JoAnn Birrell will face Democrat Caroline Holko and freelance writer Joseph Pond.
District 1 voters from the County Commission will also vote on Keli Gambrill, who runs unopposed after winning the Republican primary.
Residents of Cobb, including those in the cities, will also have the opportunity to vote on a referendum allowing the sale of alcohol from 11 am.
School board
Cobb County's demographics continue to shift from suburban and republican to a more diverse county where Democrats can meet legitimate challenges. Voters named a lone Democrat, David Morgan, to the school board in 2008. This year, when Republican Susan Thayer decided not to run, no member of her party took her seat and her seat will go to Democrat Jaha Howard in District 2. Two more Democrats are going to challenge Republicans this year.
There are two places in competition.
Post 4, located in north-central Cobb County, has contender Democrat challenger Cynthia Parr, incumbent Republican David Chastain.
In post 6, which is part of East Cobb County, incumbent Republican MP Scott Sweeney faces a challenge from Democrat Charisse Davis.
DEKALB COUNTY
Three county commissioners and two candidates for the district supervisor position for soil and water conservation appear on the ballot, but the only opposition comes from the candidates who responded in writing.
Unincorporated DeKalb voters and 10 of its cities – Atlanta, Avondale Estates, Brookhaven, Chamblee, Clarkston, Decatur, Doraville, Dunwoody, Stone Mountain and Tucker – will also decide to allow the sale of alcohol from from 11 am on Sunday.
Brookhaven residents are invited to authorize City Council to borrow $ 40 million to improve the city's parks. The money will be paid back using property tax revenues, and an increase in mileage is expected.
School Table: No race on the ballot.
FULTON County
The county commission races on the vote are not disputed, but Fulton voters will have a number of voting steps to decide, depending on where they live.
A measure that would limit the value of taxable properties in Atlanta would be subject to a statewide vote.
There are several property tax relief measures specific to North Fulton towns, including Alpharetta, Johns Creek, Milton, Mountain Park and Roswell. They would allow residents to choose the lowest reference year of 2016, 2017 or 2018 for the 2019 property values. After an adjustment for inflation, the homeowners would be taxed on increases in value not exceeding 3% per year.
Residents of Alpharetta, Atlanta, College Park, Hapeville, Johns Creek, Milton, Roswell, Sandy Springs, South Fulton and Union City will decide to allow liquor sales earlier on Sunday in the restaurants from 11am.
County electors will consider a measure that would override a state constitutional amendment that prevents the last unincorporated area of the county, around Fulton Industrial Boulevard, from reaching a city.
School Table: No race on the ballot.
Gwinnet County
Two Gwinnett County Commission seats are up for grabs – and both races have the potential to mark history.
In District 2 of the Commission – which covers a diverse lineup of Lilburn, Norcross and Peachtree Corners – Democrat Ben Ku defies two-term Republican Lynette Howard. Ku would become Gwinnett's first US-Asian commissioner, as well as his first openly gay commissioner.
In the constituency of Commission 4 – which covers mainly the Lawrenceville and Buford areas – Democrat Marlene Fosque is challenging another outgoing incumbent of Republican John Heard. Fosque would become Gwinnett's first black commissioner.
If any of the opponents won, they would become the first Democrats on the board to sit on a five-member board for more than three decades.
Residents of Gwinnett will also vote on the so-called brunch bill, which would allow the sale of alcoholic beverages starting at 11 am on Sunday.
School board
Gwinnett County, one of Georgia's most diverse counties, has not elected any member of the color school board in memory of anyone. This election could change that. Two seats, both open after the elected Republicans have decided not to represent again, must be elected.
In District 2, which includes north-central Gwinnett, Republican Steve Knudsen stands against Democrat Wandy Taylor.
In District 4 of southern Gwinnett County, Democratic candidate Everton Blair is running against Republican candidate Chuck Studebaker.
Henry County
The big contest on the ballot is the city's referendum vote for Eagle's Landing.
The affluent community wants to secede from Stockbridge. To do this, Eagle's Landing proponents will ask voters to approve a plan to surrender half of Stockbridge – including half of its business – by annexing part of the city and by creating a new city, Eagle will vote in court and say that it could cripple Stockbridge financially.
Henry 's six – member board of directors, currently split equally between black and white leaders, will be in the majority in the new year. This is because District 4 Commissioner Blake Prince, who is white, has left the position to run unsuccessfully at the state house. Democrat Vivian Thomas and Republican Pete Peterson, both black, compete for his place.
Outgoing District 3 Commissioner Gary Barnum, a white man, is also trying to keep his seat in a race against Black Democrat V. Ranae Crutches.
School board: No race on the ballot.
The Atlanta-Journal Constitution contributed to this report.
© 2018 Cox Media Group.
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