Voter Fatigue and the Georgia Senate Race

With three major Senate seats still undecided for the 111th Congress, Democrats have both the most to win and the most to lose if voter fatigue plays a role in the Georgia runoff election between GOP incumbent Sen. Saxby Chambliss and his Democratic rival, former state Rep. Jim Martin.

Early voting for the only 2008 Senate runoff election began Monday in many Georgia counties, and the two contenders are pushing hard for voters to submit their ballots well in advance of the December 2 Election Day, fearing a lack of voter motivation could keep many from casting ballots.

Democrats have secured 57 Senate seats for the 111th Congress thus far. Senate wins in Georgia, Minnesota, and Alaska would ensure a filibuster-proof Senate majority for Democrats, which would be influential in the next Congress with an incoming Democratic White House and a more heavily padded Democratic majority in the House.

With the runoff election scheduled to take place less than a month after the November 4 general election, on the Tuesday following the long Thanksgiving-day weekend, the plausible outcome is anyone