Georgia Secretary of State 2018 Election: Verified Results, Candidates, and Key Facts

Overview and Answer Summary

The 2018 Georgia Secretary of State election determined the state’s chief election official and custodian of records. Incumbent Brian Kemp (R) defeated Democratic candidate Stacey Abrams in the November 6 general election. The race was one of several high‑stakes contests in Georgia that year and included a subsequent runoff on December 4, 2018, in which Kemp was reelected. This profile provides verified, sourced details on candidates, voting results, certification, and key context to serve as a durable reference.

Role of the Secretary of State of Georgia

The Secretary of State of Georgia serves as the state’s chief election officer, administers the Uniform Commercial Code (UCC) filing system, maintains the official state code, and oversees business and nonprofit filings. As chief election official, the secretary oversees voter registration, certifies election results, and works with county boards to ensure statutory compliance. The office does not set election policy alone; policy is established by the Georgia General Assembly and implemented under state law.

Candidates in the 2018 Election

Incumbent: Brian Kemp

Brian Kemp sought reelection as Secretary of State after first winning the office in 21014. As incumbent, he oversaw election administration for the 2016 cycle and held statewide office beginning in January 2015. Kemp was a registered Republican and former state senator prior to his appointment as secretary of state.

Democratic Nominee: Stacey Abrams

Stacey Abrams, a member of the Georgia House of Representatives since 2007 and House Minority Leader, was the Democratic nominee. She focused on election access, opposition to voter purges, and administrative transparency. Abrams was the first woman to secure the Democratic nomination for Secretary of State in Georgia’s history.

Other Candidates

Libertarian candidate Ted Metz also appeared on the November general election ballot. Write-in candidates were permitted under Georgia law but did not appear on official certification lists.

Election Timeline and Key Dates

• May 2018 — Primary elections determine party nominations.
• July 2018 — Runoff elections (if needed) held to finalize nominations.
• October 2018 — Voters registered by the deadline established under Georgia law are eligible.
• November 6, 2018 — General election; polls are open from 7:00 AM to 7:00 PM local time.
• November 2018 — County canvass and reporting of provisional and absentee ballots.
• December 4, 2018 — General runoff election between Kemp and Abrams, if required by law.
• December 2018 — State board of canvassers certifies the final election results.

Election Results and Certification

On November 6, 2018, election night results showed Kemp leading Abrams. Due to the narrow margin and outstanding provisional and mail ballots, the race did not trigger an automatic recount, but Abrams requested a hand recount in Fulton County. Following county canvasses and resolution of provisional ballot challenges, the results were certified. On December 4, 2018, a runoff was held under Georgia law when no candidate achieved the required threshold; Kemp won the runoff. The State Board of Elections and State Board of Canvassers formally certified the results in December 2018.

2018 Results Summary

Common Questions and Clarifications

Was the election certified?

Yes. The Georgia Secretary of State’s office certified the 2018 general election results in December 2018 after the runoff and resolution of provisional ballots. Official certification documents are maintained by the Office of the Secretary of State.

Were there audits or recounts?

Hand recounts were requested in specific counties for portions of the vote. State law permitted post‑election audits and county canvass procedures. No statewide machine recount was triggered under the margin thresholds in effect at the time.

What is the term length and next election cycle?

The Secretary of State of Georgia serves a four‑year term with no term limits. Following 2018, the next regularly scheduled election was in 2022, and subsequent elections occur every four years, aligned with midterm and presidential cycles as applicable.

Does the Secretary of State certify candidacy and ballot access?

Yes. The office maintains candidate qualification files and administers ballot access processes for state and federal offices under state law and deadlines.

Context and Historical Notes

The 2018 race occurred within a broader set of statewide contests in Georgia. The office is nonpartisan in its statutory duties, though the individual elected holds a party affiliation. The secretary’s election administration responsibilities include maintaining the state voter registration system, overseeing uniform processes with county boards, and coordinating with the U.S. Election Assistance Commission where applicable. This profile reflects the structure and outcomes of the 2018 cycle as officially documented and verifiable.

Conclusion

The 2018 Georgia Secretary of State election resulted in the certification of Brian Kemp as secretary of state after the general election and a December runoff. The office continues to perform its statutory roles in election administration, business filings, and state code maintenance. This summary is based on officially certified results and public records available from state election authorities.

Additional Resources and Source Notes

• Georgia State Board of Elections and subsequent State Board of Canvassers records.
• Official county canvass reports from the 2018 general and runoff elections.
• Georgia Secretary of State office archives on election certification and historical results.
• Federal Election Commission and U.S. Census data for context on voter registration and turnout.

Details in this profile are drawn from publicly available, verifiable records and are intended to serve as a durable reference on the 2018 Georgia Secretary of State election.

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