On Friday morning, Joe Biden took a small but significant lead in Georgia, a battleground state that has not voted blue since Donald Trump won it in 2016 and Bill Clinton in 1992. While no formal recount has been requested (according to state law, no recount can be conducted until the results are certified), the slight margin makes the recount request ripe. Trump has already announced plans to request a recount in Wisconsin (open in new tab) and is likely to do so in other key states, including Michigan (open in new tab) and Georgia.

Here is what would happen if a recount were to take place in the peach states:

Georgia has no automatic recount rule.

Yes. If the vote difference is less than 0.5% of the total votes cast, the candidate may request an official full recount (open in new tab). This request must be made within two business days after the final tally is certified (the certification deadline is November 17, so a recount may not take place until then).

Actually, yes. At the discretion of the election administrator (opens in new tab), a recount may be requested regardless of the lead difference, if it is believed that there were discrepancies or errors in the tally. Voters may also request a recount if they believe irregularities have been committed. [In Georgia, there is no deadline for completing a recount.

The state pays all costs of the recount. (Open in new tab)

Georgia has long been at the center of the conversation about voter suppression tactics. For years, groups like Stacey Abrams' Fair Fight (open in new tab) have worked tirelessly to protect people's right to vote and to ensure that every vote counts, not just in Georgia but across the country. Those efforts are bearing fruit in this election. It is up to us to keep this positive momentum moving forward.