Control of the Senate Might Not Be Decided Tonight

by: Thomas Travis, Senior Editor

Most audiences are tuning into election return programs tonight on various cable and network outlets to see if control of the United States Senate will change hands. Currently, the Senate consists of 53 Democrats, 45 Republicans, and 2 Independents (who caucus with the Democrats). Republicans need to pick up a net six seats to gain control of the upper chamber.

Two state election law statutes may disappoint viewers, and control of the Senate may not be determined with finality until weeks after Election Night. Louisiana and Georgia, two states with highly competitive elections heading into Election Day, require a runoff if no candidate receives over 50% of the votes cast. The runoff in Louisiana would be scheduled for December 6, 2014, while the Georgia runoff would take place on January 6, 2015.

Democrat Mary Landrieu currently is the incumbent in Louisiana facing opposition from two Republican challengers.  The race in Georgia is an open election, after Republican Senator Saxby Chambliss announced  his retirement in 2013. Polling shows that both elections are expected to be very close, and it is possible that none of the candidates in either state will receive over 50% of the vote. We will keep a close eye on those states throughout the night, and if the returns remain close, we may continue watching for weeks to come.