The polls are open in Georgia: Race for governor, other offices to be decided

The outcome has broader implications, explaining why every potential presidential hopeful has dutifully visited Georgia. Conservatives are desperate to keep Georgia's 16 electoral votes in the GOP column; liberals are anxious for proof that one of their own can fare better than centrist Democrats of yore.

And it's also generated an unprecedented surge of voter participation for this type of contest, as both candidates try to inspire voter turnout befitting a presidential election rather than a milder midterm.

About 2.1 million early ballots have already been cast, and nearly two dozen counties have already exceeded their entire 2014 vote total. At least one-third of them have come from voters who didn’t vote four years ago, in both Republican strongholds and Democratic bastions.

Also on the ballot is a pair of Republican-held U.S. House districts in fast-changing northern suburbs targeted by Democrats, and more than a dozen state legislative seats in competitive territory.

Democrats are stressing their support for new gun control restrictions and expansion of Medicaid. Republicans have emphasized the strong economy, their support for law enforcement and ties to outgoing Gov. Nathan Deal.

The polls are open from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. and voters who are in line before the polls close will be allowed to cast their ballot. Each registered voter should bring photo ID and your polling location can be found by clicking here.