Democratic nominee for U.S. Senate from Georgia Jon Ossoff speaks after voting early in Atlanta on Tuesday, Dec. 22, 2020. For the second time in three years, Jon Ossoff is campaigning in overtime. (AP Photo/John Bazemore)ATLANTA – Though still chasing his first victory, Jon Ossoff is no stranger to the pressure of campaigning in overtime — this time for one of two crucial U.S. Senate seats that will determine control of the chamber. Ossoff ran a formidable campaign even while being mocked by Republicans as a lightweight unqualified to occupy the seat once held by Republican Newt Gingrich. Biden received nearly 100,000 more votes in Georgia than Ossoff.

ATLANTA – Karen Handel is looking for Republicans to mobilize in Georgia's 6th District, once an incubator of high-profile Republicans. But Democrat Lucy McBath, who unseated Handel in 2018, is trying to show that Atlanta's wealthiest suburbs have changed. But McBath is hitting Handel with a range of attacks, with the most concerted sparring around health care. “My opponent's record on health care is absolutely dismal,” McBath said. “Right now we have a single-issue, completely disengaged member of Congress representing this congressional district,” Handel said.

People wait in line to vote in the Georgia's primary election at Park Tavern on Tuesday, June 9, 2020, in Atlanta. Ossoff was far ahead of two other candidates in his bid to challenge Republican U.S. Sen. David Perdue in November. In Georgia, candidates must win more than 50% of the vote to avoid a runoff. Perdue, a close Trump ally seeking a second term in November as Republicans look to hold the White House and Senate majority, drew no GOP primary opposition. Ossoffs campaign manager, Ellen Foster, blasted Republican Georgia Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger for the long lines and confusion at numerous polling sites Tuesday.

That all means there are many more people who typically vote Republican in the district than Democrats. Ossoff has endorsements from two leading African-American Georgia Democrats -- Rep. John Lewis, a civil rights icon, and Rep. Hank Johnson. But make no mistake: Republicans are closely watching the results to see just how much of a drag Trump is on Handel. After all, 71 incumbent Republicans sit in districts that are -- per the Cook Political Report's partisan voter index -- less GOP-leaning than Georgia's 6th District. "Some Democrats are progressive, and some Democrats are not," Sanders said -- though he later clarified that he does support Ossoff.

Ossoff and Handel were the top two finishers in an April 19 primary, and advanced to the June 20 one-on-one runoff. The polls in Cobb, Fulton and DeKalb counties -- the three where the sixth district House seat is located -- close at 7 p.m. To win, Ossoff will need something approaching presidential-level turnout from Democratic base voters -- and African-Americans are a crucial component of that base. An Ossoff win would be a proof point suggesting that Democrats are on the right track. It would also be important in two other significant ways: Online, small-dollar fundraising has shattered records so far this year, and an Ossoff win would likely keep that money flowing in.