ATLANTA — The path to the presidency could once again hinge on Georgia, as both candidates compete for the necessary 270 electoral votes needed to win the White House.
Political analysts say the election is a toss-up between the presidential candidates, Democrat Vice President Harris and Republican former President Trump. Electors in seven battleground states, including Georgia, will likely decide the outcome: Arizona, Georgia, Michigan, Nevada, North Carolina, Pennsylvania and Wisconsin.
Each state across the United States has a certain amount of electors. Those electors were established in the U.S. Constitution to make up what's called the Electoral College, which was created to make sure all states get equal power in the election and prevent those states with huge populations from overpowering smaller states. In Georgia, the Peach State has 16 electors -- one for each of the state's 14 House representatives and two Senators in Congress.
Electoral College: How many votes does each state get in 2024?
Georgia is a winner-take-all state, so whichever party wins the popular vote in the state gets all of the electoral votes. Each elector will then be selected by the state's winning party. Electors cannot be members of Congress or currently hold federal office.
After the election, on Dec. 17, the electors from Georgia will cast their votes and then, on Jan. 6, 2025, the electoral votes from across the country will be read before a joint session in Congress, formally solidifying a president in office.
How did Georgia become a battleground state?
From Red to Purple
Georgia has historically been a Republican stronghold. From 1972 through 2016, the state voted predominantly for Republican presidential candidates, with the exception of supporting a southern Democrat.
However, the 2020 election changed Georgia’s political landscape. Joe Biden became the first Democrat since Bill Clinton in 1992 to win the state, narrowly defeating Donald Trump by just 11,779 votes, or a margin of 0.2%. This razor-thin win marked Georgia’s shift toward becoming a crucial swing state in national elections.
With its 16 electoral votes, Georgia remains a pivotal prize in the presidential race. The state’s shift from a reliably Republican state to a swing state is due to a combination of changing demographics, increased voter engagement, and a heightened national profile.
Both parties have heavily invested in Georgia, recognizing it as a critical piece of the electoral puzzle that could determine the outcome of future elections.
Contributing: Makayla Richards