November 3, 2026

Election Returns – 2026 Midterm Elections

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Update 9:48 PM

🗳️ BREAKING: CHATTOOGA COUNTY VOTERS APPROVE ALL FOUR LOCAL REFERENDUMS

All four local ballot referendums in Chattooga County are projected to pass following Tuesday’s general election.

According to unofficial results from the Georgia Secretary of State, every precinct has reported, and all four measures received strong voter approval.

✅ EDUCATION SALES TAX RENEWAL
YES: 4,490 (65.21%)
NO: 2,395 (34.79%)

✅ COUNTY SENIOR HOMESTEAD EXEMPTION
YES: 6,216 (90.34%)
NO: 665 (9.66%)

✅ SCHOOL SENIOR HOMESTEAD EXEMPTION
YES: 5,068 (79.49%)
NO: 1,308 (20.51%)

✅ TRION GENERAL OBLIGATION SCHOOL BOND
YES: 336 (71.79%)
NO: 132 (28.21%)

The county senior homestead exemption received the strongest support, with more than 90 percent voting in favor.

All five county precincts have reported, along with the single precinct reporting for the Trion school bond question.

Results remain unofficial until certified.

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Update 9:42 PM

🗳️ THOMAS AND LUMSDEN PROJECTED TO WIN REELECTION

Republican State Senator Lanny Thomas and Republican State Representative Eddie Lumsden are projected to win reelection following Tuesday’s general election.

Both candidates hold substantial leads in unofficial election returns.

🔴 STATE SENATE DISTRICT 53

Lanny Thomas (R) — 48,735 votes (79%)

Jack Zibluk (D) — 13,046 votes (21%)

34 of 39 precincts reporting.

🔴 STATE HOUSE DISTRICT 12

Eddie Lumsden (R) — 14,259 votes (82%)

Holly Chaney (D) — 3,069 votes (18%)

13 of 16 precincts reporting.

Thomas and Lumsden both represent portions of Northwest Georgia, including Chattooga County.

These projections are based on their substantial leads in the available unofficial returns. The results have not yet been certified.

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UPDATE – 9:39 PM

🗳️ BREAKING: AP DECLARES KEISHA LANCE BOTTOMS WINNER OF GEORGIA GOVERNOR’S RACE

The Associated Press has declared Democrat Keisha Lance Bottoms the winner of Georgia’s gubernatorial election, defeating Republican businessman Rick Jackson.

Bottoms, the former mayor of Atlanta, makes history as the first Black woman elected governor in the United States.

She is also the first Democrat elected governor of Georgia since 1998.

Bottoms will succeed Republican Governor Brian Kemp, who was unable to seek another term because of term limits.

The AP has now called two of Georgia’s biggest races for Democrats, with incumbent U.S. Senator Jon Ossoff also winning reelection over Republican Mike Collins.

Election results remain unofficial until certified.

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UPDATE — 9:15 PM

Election returns continue to come in across Georgia, with one major statewide race already called by the Associated Press.

🇺🇸 U.S. SENATE — AP PROJECTED WINNER

Jon Ossoff (D) — 1,591,039 votes (56%)

Mike Collins (R) — 1,259,240 votes (44%)

The Associated Press has declared Ossoff the winner of Georgia’s U.S. Senate race. He will serve a second six-year term.

🏛️ GOVERNOR — NOT YET CALLED

Keisha Lance Bottoms (D) — 1,503,296 votes (53%)

Rick Jackson (R) — 1,346,340 votes (47%)

Bottoms leads in the available returns, with approximately 66% of estimated votes counted.

🇺🇸 14TH CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT

Clay Fuller (R) — 145,362 votes (58%)

Shawn Harris (D) — 102,583 votes (41%)

113 of 140 precincts reporting.

📍 53RD STATE SENATE DISTRICT

Lanny Thomas (R) — 48,735 votes (79%)

John Zibluk (D) — 13,046 votes (21%)

34 of 39 precincts reporting.

📍 12TH STATE HOUSE DISTRICT

Eddie Lumsden (R) — 14,259 votes (82%)

Holly Chaney (D) — 3,069 votes (18%)

13 of 16 precincts reporting.

⚠️ IMPORTANT: These are unofficial, partial election returns from available reporting snapshots. The figures have not all been independently confirmed as the exact 9:15 PM totals. Only the U.S. Senate race is identified here as having been called by the Associated Press.

📻 Stay with WZQZ AM 1180 / FM 99.1 and ChattoogaInfo.com for continuing election coverage.

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Update 8:41 PM:

Democratic U.S. Senator Jon Ossoff has won reelection to a second term, defeating Republican Congressman Mike Collins in Georgia’s U.S. Senate race.

The Associated Press called the race for Ossoff at 7:55 Tuesday evening, November 3.

Ossoff, who was first elected to the Senate in a January 2021 runoff, successfully defended his seat in one of the nation’s most closely watched Senate contests.

Collins, a two-term Republican congressman endorsed by President Donald Trump, won the Republican nomination earlier this year after defeating Derek Dooley in a June runoff.

Ossoff was the only incumbent Democratic senator seeking reelection in a state carried by Trump in the 2024 presidential election.

His victory keeps Georgia’s Senate seat in Democratic hands and strengthens the party’s efforts to gain control of the U.S. Senate.

While the Associated Press has declared Ossoff the winner, election results remain unofficial until certified.

Update 8:24 PM –

Unofficial returns from Tuesday’s general election continue to be reported across Georgia. Here are the figures from the latest reporting snapshot available to WZQZ.

🇺🇸 U.S. SENATE

Jon Ossoff (D) — 1,521,727 votes (64%)

Mike Collins (R) — 838,011 votes (36%)

53% of estimated votes counted.

🏛️ GOVERNOR

Keisha Lance Bottoms (D) — 1,214,844 votes (57%)

Rick Jackson (R) — 906,613 votes (43%)

47% of estimated votes counted.

🏛️ LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR

Josh McLaurin (D) — 1,260,529 votes (59%)

Greg Dolezal (R) — 892,419 votes (41%)

🏛️ SECRETARY OF STATE

Penny Brown Reynolds (D) — 1,257,054 votes (58%)

Tim Fleming (R) — 899,341 votes (42%)

🏛️ ATTORNEY GENERAL

Tanya Miller (D) — 1,256,045 votes (58%)

Brian Strickland (R) — 903,919 votes (42%)

🏛️ AGRICULTURE COMMISSIONER

Katherine Juhan-Arnold (D) — 1,183,487 votes (56%)

Tyler Harper (R) — 928,203 votes (44%)

🏛️ STATE SCHOOL SUPERINTENDENT

Lydia Powell (D) — 1,200,171 votes (57%)

Richard Woods (R) — 913,652 votes (43%)

🏛️ LABOR COMMISSIONER

Nikki Porcher (D) — 1,198,026 votes (57%)

Bárbara Rivera Holmes (R) — 910,143 votes (43%)

🏛️ PUBLIC SERVICE COMMISSION — DISTRICT 3

Peter Hubbard (D) — 1,231,295 votes (59%)

Fitz Johnson (R) — 873,158 votes (41%)

🏛️ PUBLIC SERVICE COMMISSION — DISTRICT 5

Shelia Edwards (D) — 1,212,234 votes (58%)

Josh Tolbert (R) — 895,424 votes (42%)

🇺🇸 14TH CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT

Clay Fuller (R) — 100,749 votes (55%)

Shawn Harris (D) — 82,022 votes (45%)

61% of estimated votes counted.

📍 53RD STATE SENATE DISTRICT

Lanny Thomas (R) — 48,735 votes (79%)

John Zibluk (D) — 13,046 votes (21%)

34 of 39 precincts reporting in the available district snapshot.

📍 12TH GEORGIA HOUSE DISTRICT

Eddie Lumsden (R) — 14,259 votes (82%)

Holly Chaney (D) — 3,069 votes (18%)

13 of 16 precincts reporting in the available district snapshot.

⚠️ These figures are unofficial partial returns from available reporting snapshots, which may reflect different stages of counting. They should not be interpreted as final or certified results.

Stay with WZQZ AM 1180 / FM 99.1 and ChattoogaInfo.com for continuing election coverage.

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October 20, 2026

by Jimmy Holbrook

State Senator And School Superintendent To Speak At Chattooga County Republican Meeting Today

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The Chattooga County Republican Party will hold its October meeting tonight, Tuesday, October 20, featuring State Senator Lanny Thomas and Chattooga County School Superintendent Dr. Michelle Helie as guest speakers.

September 21, 2026

by Jimmy Holbrook

Important Election Dates Approaching For Chattooga County Voters

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With Georgia’s November 3 General Election now just over six weeks away, Chattooga County voters have several important dates and deadlines coming up for voter registration, absentee ballots and early voting.

September 18, 2026

by Jimmy Holbrook

Chattooga County Republican Party To Hold September Meeting Tuesday

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The Chattooga County Republican Party will hold its September meeting Tuesday, September 22, at 6 PM at the party’s new headquarters in the Hurley Crossing Shopping Center, located at 11264 Highway 27.

U.S. Congressman Clay Fuller, who represents Georgia’s 14th Congressional District, will be the guest speaker. Fuller took office in April following a special election earlier this year.

Party officials say the meeting will include discussion of the upcoming November election and the party’s efforts to encourage voter turnout. Candidate yard signs will also be available at the headquarters for those interested.

The local party is also continuing a fundraiser for its Veteran Wall at the headquarters. Stars are available for $5 each and may be purchased in honor or memory of a veteran. Organizers ask purchasers to provide the veteran’s name, branch of military service and whether the star is being placed in honor or memory.

Information and payments for the Veteran Wall may be mailed to Chattooga County Republican Party, Attn: Veteran Wall, P.O. Box 656, Summerville, GA 30747. Payments may also be made through Cash App at $ChattRepbulican14.

For additional information about the meeting or Veteran Wall project, contact Chattooga County Republican Party Chairwoman Meredith Rosson at 706-331-5547.

September 14, 2026

by Jimmy Holbrook

Shawn Harris To Host Town Hall In Summerville

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Democratic congressional candidate Shawn Harris will make a campaign stop in Chattooga County next week, hosting a town hall meeting in Summerville.

September 14, 2026

by Jimmy Holbrook

Researchers Raise Ballot-Secrecy Concerns With Georgia Voting System Ahead Of November Election

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A newly highlighted vulnerability in Georgia’s voting system is raising concerns about whether it may be possible in some circumstances to determine how individual voters cast their ballots.

September 10, 2026

by Jimmy Holbrook

Trion Considers Turning November Election Over To Chattooga County

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The Town of Trion is considering having Chattooga County conduct its November 3 election, rather than handling the election in-house.

Mayor Mickey McGraw told the Trion Town Council the move is primarily about saving money. McGraw said the town had not yet received written cost figures from the county, but early indications were that having Chattooga County run the election would be less expensive than Trion conducting it itself.

The council gave the first reading of an ordinance that would authorize Chattooga County to conduct the November 3 election. A second reading is expected in September before the measure can be finalized.

Town Clerk Missy Duncan clarified that the discussion is not tied to any council or school board races for re-election.

One council member also asked for confirmation that the Trion City School bond question had already been approved for placement on the November ballot. Duncan confirmed that it had.

McGraw said he would also speak with the Trion City School Board about helping with the cost of the election.

The town is now waiting for more detailed cost information from Chattooga County before moving forward with the arrangement.

September 6, 2026

by Jimmy Holbrook

Warnock Calls For Statewide Moratorium On New Data Centers

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U.S. Senator Raphael Warnock is calling for a statewide moratorium on new data center construction in Georgia, saying large projects should not move forward until protections are in place for local residents.

August 31, 2026

by Jimmy Holbrook

Fuller’s County Connections Program Changes Chattooga County Location

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Residents planning to meet with Congressman Clay Fuller’s staff in Chattooga County this Friday should be aware of a change in location for the congressman’s County Connections Program.

The event will now be held at Summerville City Hall, 120 Georgia Avenue in Summerville, on Friday, September 4, from 9 AM until noon.

The original location announced for the Chattooga County stop was the Hurley Community Development Center on Commerce Street.

Fuller’s office recently launched the County Connections Program, a rotating series of in-person office hours designed to make congressional constituent services more accessible in counties that do not have a permanent congressional field office.

Fuller maintains district offices in Rome, Dalton and Dallas, but Georgia’s 14th Congressional District covers a large portion of Northwest Georgia. Through County Connections, members of the congressman’s staff are visiting additional counties on a rotating basis.

The program can be particularly useful for residents who need assistance dealing with a federal agency. Congressional staff can help constituents communicate with federal agencies, check the status of cases and inquiries, and help ensure constituent concerns receive appropriate consideration.

Residents can also meet with Fuller’s staff to discuss issues affecting the community, ask questions or provide comments for the congressman’s office.

The County Connections rotation began August 28 in Walker County. Following Friday’s Chattooga County stop, visits are scheduled for Dade County on September 11, Murray County on September 18, Catoosa County on September 25, Polk County on October 2 and the City of Acworth in Cobb County on October 9.

Again, the location for Friday’s Chattooga County County Connections event has changed. Congressman Clay Fuller’s staff will be at Summerville City Hall, 120 Georgia Avenue, from 9 AM until noon Friday, September 4.

August 25, 2026

by Jimmy Holbrook

Lumsden Holds Large Fundraising Advantage In Georgia House District 12 Race

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The race for Georgia House District 12 is set for November, with incumbent Republican Eddie Lumsden of Armuchee facing Democratic challenger Holly Chaney of Trion and the latest campaign finance reports showing a substantial difference in the amount of money available to the two campaigns.