Early voting starts Monday for Georgia runoffs that will determine control of the Senate

Early voting begins Monday in Georgia where two closely contested Senate runoff races will determine whether Democrats or Republicans control of the chamber for at least the next two years.

Republican incumbents Sens. David Perdue and Kelly Loeffler are running, respectively, against Jon Ossoff and Raphael Warnock.

No candidate received more than 50% of the vote in the November elections, leading to the runoffs, in which the top to vote-getters from the Nov. 3 elections advanced. Early voting will continue through Dec 31, with Election Day on Jan. 5.

Republicans now control the 100-member Senate. Democrats need to win both races to secure 50 seats in the Senate, which would mean the vice president, which is expected to be Democrat Kamala Harris, becomes the tie-breaker vote.

Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden will go to Atlanta on Tuesday to campaign for the Democratic candidates. President Trump and Vice President Pence have already visited the state several times on behalf of the GOP candidates. 

As compared to the presidential election, fewer early voting stations will be open across the state, which has caused some ire among voting rights groups. More than half of the record 5 million votes cast in Georgia during the November election, were cast early. 

Turnout will likely not reach the same heights for the runoff elections. However, some academics are predicting turnout could be as high as 80% of November's figure. 

The race has garnered huge national attention and spending, with as much as $300 million in TV, radio and digital advertising expected tp be spent.