ATLANTA — Georgia’s long election season is almost over after two more candidates conceded their races on Wednesday. That includes the secretary of state's race.
Brad Raffensberger, a Republican, is expected to win despite some outstanding absentee ballots.
Democrat John Barrow conceded the election shortly after noon on Wednesday.
Raffensberger told Channel 2 political reporter Richard Elliot that the first thing he wants to do is look at replacing Georgia's antiquated voting machines.
Elliot said Raffensberger seemed relieved when he spoke to him Wednesday. He’s been on the campaign trail for 19 months in what became one of the most grueling elections in state history.
His opponent, Barrow, waited overnight to issue his concession statement, saying “Though the outcome was not what we had wanted, what we’re working for is more important than ever: Elections that are as fair and as accurate as they are secure.”
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Raffensperger agreed, saying the first thing he wants to do as secretary of state is get with lawmakers about replacing Georgia’s 16-year-old voting machines with ones that include a verifiable paper audit trail.
“So, at the end of the day, when we do the recounts, there will be a paper ballot for us to go back and count, but also to give voters the confidence that when their ballot left their hand, it is never changed and was accurately counted,” Raffensperger said.
Elliot also sat down with outgoing Gov. Nathan Deal and talked to him about this past election.
“I do think there’s one challenge that lies ahead,” Deal said.
He said he fully supports voting machines that are more secure. He did devote a lot of time to making Georgia the cybersecurity capital of the United States.
But, he also warned new machines will cost a lot of money.
“The big problem though is the price tag, and if that’s to be done, it’s not going to be one of those pills that’s going to be easy to swallow financially. It’s going to be very, very difficult,” Deal said.
Shortly after noon on Wednesday, Channel 2 Action News was there as Democrat Lindy Miller conceded her race for the public service commissioner to incumbent Republican Chuck Eason.
“I am so proud to have been the Democratic candidate for the public service commission,” Miller said. “I want to just take a moment and thank all of our team, all of our supporters for believing in me and helping to build our vision.”
There is still one race outstanding -- the race for State House District 28.
A judge ordered a do-over in the race between the Republican candidates Dan Gasaway and Chris Erwin.
At last check, just three votes separated the two.