Washington - Voters in the southern US state of Georgia headed to the polls again on Tuesday in a runoff election on their pick for the US Senate that has attracted nationwide attention. Republican Senator Saxby Chambliss faces Democratic challenger Jim Martin in a race that is key to Democratic hopes of achieving a 60- seat majority in the Senate.
The November 4 elections that propelled Barack Obama to the White House also saw Democrats earn a 58-seat majority in the Senate. Sixty seats are needed to prevent the Republicans from holding a filibuster, a parliamentary tactic to delay or defeat legislation by preventing a vote through endless debate. Two races, including that in Georgia, are outstanding.
Party bigwigs - such as former president Bill Clinton, a Democrat; Republican presidential candidate John McCain and his running mate Sarah Palin - have taken to the campaign trail for both candidates.
The Georgia runoff is required under a state law that calls for another election if neither candidate receives 50 per cent of the vote. Chambliss came in just under 50 per cent in November, with Martin taking 46 per cent.
Election authorities in Minnesota are still counting ballots in the other outstanding race between Republican Senator Norm Coleman and Democrat and comedian Al Franken.
