Georgia presidential primary sets table for Biden-Trump rematch
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Illustration: Brendan Lynch/Axios
Georgia primary voters head to the polls on Tuesday to help solidify what appears to be inevitable: a 2024 Biden-Trump rematch.
Why it matters: Georgia is a swing state, and former President Trump could clinch the GOP nomination with a win here and the three other states (Hawaii, Mississippi and Washington) holding presidential primaries today.
Yes, but: It might be more Snoozer Tuesday than Super Tuesday. With former South Carolina Gov. Nikki Haley's exit from the GOP race, Trump has no serious ballot competition.
- Ditto President Biden, who in 2020 was the first Democratic presidential candidate to win Georgia since Bill Clinton in 1992. The incumbent's biggest challenger is self-help author Marianne Williamson.
Intrigue: The names of candidates who have suspended their campaigns will still appear on the ballot, giving voters an opportunity to cast protest votes against the likely nominees.
- Progressive activists opposed to Biden's stance on the Israel-Hamas war are encouraging Georgia voters to leave their primary ballot blank, similar to the "uncommitted" movement seen in Michigan and Super Tuesday states.
Catch up quick: Both candidates visited Georgia on Saturday to pump up voters, with the former president stumping in Rome while Biden campaigned in East Atlanta at Pullman Yards.
By the numbers: About 440,000 Georgians cast ballots during the early voting period that ended on Friday, according to state election data.
State of play: Polls close at 7pm. The Georgia Secretary of State's office will update results throughout the evening.
What's next: Georgia voters return to the polls in May to decide primary challenges for the relatively few competitive General Assembly seats (thanks, gerrymandering).
- Voters will also pick November matchups for Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis' position and congressional seats, including a new GOP-leaning district in the north suburbs.