ATLANTA (AP) - The Latest on final preparations for elections in Georgia: (all times local):
6:15 p.m.
U.S. Sen. Johnny Isakson is wrapping up a three-day tour of the state as he campaigns for a third term.
Isakson, a Republican, faces Democrat Jim Barksdale and Libertarian Allen Buckley on Tuesday. Isakson has led in public polling, but needs to get more than 50 percent of the vote to avoid a runoff election.
After introductions from most of the state’s top Republicans including Gov. Nathan Deal, Isakson told supporters in Cobb County that he’s feeling confident as the campaign winds down. Isakson made no mention of Barksdale or the presidential campaign, focusing largely on his experience and approach to foreign policy and other issues.
But he did betray some emotion about races beyond Georgia, pumping his fist once when Rep. Tom Graves predicted Republicans will hold the U.S. Senate majority.
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2 p.m.
The Justice Department says three Georgia counties are among the 67 jurisdictions where staff will monitor polls on Election Day.
The department plans to send more than 500 staffers to 28 states, a 35 percent reduction from the number four years ago. The employees will be watching for potential civil rights violations, such as discrimination on the basis of race, religion or gender.
Justice Department officials say they hope voters will not detect any difference in the federal presence.
In Georgia, staff will be in Fulton and Gwinnett counties in metro Atlanta and in Hancock County southeast of Atlanta. Voting-right groups have filed a federal lawsuit against Hancock County officials, arguing that black residents of the city of Sparta were improperly removed from voter rolls before a 2015 local election.
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11:30 a.m.
Some of Georgia’s top Democrats are trying to give their party’s U.S. Senate candidate a last-minute boost against Johnny Isakson.
Jim Barksdale began his campaign’s final day with a press conference in Atlanta. Speakers included U.S. Rep. Hank Johnson and the Rev. Raphael Warnock, who said voters should consider Isakson’s refusal to un-endorse GOP presidential nominee Donald Trump.
Isakson has criticized some of Trump’s remarks while saying he will support the party’s ticket.
An average of public polling suggests Isakson leads in the race but hasn’t passed the 50 percent mark. Georgia law requires a runoff election if no candidate passed that margin.
Barksdale, owner of an investment firm, is closing his campaign with a focus on health care, social security and the U.S. Supreme Court.
Isakson plans to campaign in four cities on Monday.
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9 a.m.
Georgia’s top elections official says people should be confident in Georgia’s elections system when polls open on Tuesday.
Secretary of State Brian Kemp is traveling the state Monday to discuss preparations.
The agency’s investigations division has opened 25 investigations during the early voting period. Kemp says that’s typical for a presidential year. He said none of the reports indicate widespread problems.
Kemp also updated record-breaking totals for early voting, saying more than 2.37 million people cast ballots.
Kemp is urging people to use his office’s web site to find the correct polling place and look at a sample ballot. He says people shouldn’t get anxious if lines are long and noted that Georgia law allows anyone in line by the 7 p.m. poll closing time to vote.
Polls open at 7 a.m.
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5 a.m.
More than 2 million Georgians turned out to break the state’s early voting record, suggesting turnout on Tuesday will be high.
The presidential race between Republican Donald Trump and Democrat Hillary Clinton has dominated in Georgia even though the candidates haven’t focused on the state.
U.S. Senate and other candidates are making a final pitch before polls open. Republican U.S. Sen. Johnny Isakson plans stops Monday in four cities in his bid for a third term. Democrat Jim Barksdale also is expected to continue stumping for votes.
More than 6.6 million Georgians are registered.
Secretary of State Brian Kemp also plans to travel the state Monday to discuss preparations for election day.
Voting rights groups are finalizing plans to help people with questions and follow up on any complaints.
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