Running on a platform of change, Barack Obama broke through barriers to become the nation’s first African American president Tuesday with an early win over Arizona Senator John McCain. 

Nationwide Obama clenched the presidency, although Georgia, as in years passed, was deemed a “Red State,” with McCain taking 52.3 percent of the vote to Obama’s 46.9 percent and Libertarian Bob Barr with .7 percent. 

McCain led Dawson County, which saw a voter turnout close to 71 percent, with an astounding 82.6 percent (7,701 votes) lead over Obama’s 16.2 percent (1,512 votes). Barr received 90 votes and 18 write-in votes for president were cast in Dawson County.  

A December run-off could be a possibility in the race for U.S. Senate between Republican Saxby Chambliss and Democrat Jim Martin. Early polls showed Chambliss ahead, but without more than 50 percent of the vote and votes still being counted, a run-off is likely.

With 96 percent of the precincts counted statewide, vote tallies give Chambliss 49.8 percent. Democrat Jim Martin was pulling 46.8 percent. Libertarian Allen Buckley had 3.4 percent. 

Like McCain, Chambliss, who visited Dawson County during a statewide bus tour late last month, overwhelming took Dawson County with 75.2 percent (6,791) of the vote over Martin’s 19.3 percent (1,744). Libertarian Allen Buckley received 483 votes in Dawson County.  

District-wide, Republican Incumbent Nathan Deal captured a victory over political newcomer Jeff Scott.  

All of Dawson County's local elections, including the sheriff, judgeships, county commission seats, coroner, clerk of court and school board, were decided during the July 15 Primaries.  

Dawson County State Senator Chip Pearson and Representatives Amos Amerson and David Ralston also did not face opposition in Tuesday’s election.  

Incumbent Republicans carried their races for state and national offices in Dawson County:  

U.S. President* John McCain (R): 7,701 votes, 82.6 percent

Barack Obama (D): 1,512 votes, 16.2 percent

Bob Barr (L): 90 votes, 0.97 percent

Write-in votes: 18 

U.S. Senate* Saxby Chambliss (R): 6,791 votes, 75.2 percent

Jim Martin (D): 1,744, 19.3 percent

Allen Buckley (L): 483, 5.3 percent

Write-in votes: 3 

U.S. Representatives, District 9* Nathan Deal (R): 7,396 votes, 82.7 percent

Jeff Scott (D): 1,541 votes, 17.2 percent

Write-in votes: 5 

Public Service Commissioner* Lauren McDonald Jr. (R): 6,473 votes, 73.8 percent

Jim Powell (D): 1,573 votes, 17.9 percent

Brandon Givens (L): 716, 8.1 percent

Write-in votes: 3 

Public Service Commissioner* H. Doug Everett (R): 6,947 votes, 81.7 percent

John H. Monds (L): 1,540 votes, 18 percent

Write-in votes: 7 

Statewide voters passed Constitutional Amendment 1 and 2, but rejected Constitutional Amendment 3. 

Constitutional Amendment 1 encourages preservation of Georgia forests through conservation property tax reductions.

Constitutional Amendment 2 would allow local school districts to use tax funds for community redevelopment purposes.

Constitutional Amendment 3 would have created special infrastructure development districts for underserved areas.

State Constitutional Amendment 1 passed in Dawson County with 69 percent of the vote, but voters rejected Constitutional Amendments 2 and 3.

Dawson County also overwhelmingly passed the county homestead exemption and the school tax homestead exemption.

County Tax Homestead Exemption

Yes: 7,916

No: 970

School Tax Homestead Exemption

Yes: 7,655

No: 1,174

Note: Totals do not reflect provisional, military and overseas ballots, which will be counted by Monday.