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Kemp calls for concession, Abrams claims court victory

Athens Republican Brian Kemp says a concession from Atlanta Democrat Stacey Abrams is long overdue: Kemp appears to have won a close victory over Abrams in the governor’s election that was held one week ago today; Abrams continues to contest the outcome. A federal judge has ruled in favor of Abrams and the Democrats, ordering a delay in election certification that was scheduled for today. Votes from last Tuesday will now be certified on Friday.

U.S. District Judge Amy Totenberg’s order calls for a hotline for voters to check if their provisional ballots were counted, a review of voter registrations, and updated reports from the state government about why many voters were required to use provisional ballots.

The court decision comes as votes are still being counted in the race for governor between Democrat Stacey Abrams and Republican Brian Kemp. Abrams trails Kemp and would need to gain more than 20,000 additional votes to force a runoff election.

Totenberg said she's providing "limited, modest" relief to help protect voters. The order preserves Tuesday's deadline for county election offices to certify results and the Nov. 20 deadline for Secretary of State Robyn Crittenden to certify the election. The ruling enjoins Crittenden from certifying the election before Friday at 5 p.m.

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