Trump is ahead by less than 0.4% in Georgia after 98% of the votes are counted and the result is expected to be called later this morning
- Donald Trump holds a lead of around 22,500 votes in the southern state
- But tens of thousands of mail ballots in Atlanta still need to be counted
- One count in the city was delayed for four hours because of a burst pipe
- Election officials say a result is not expected to come until later this morning after ballots are counted throughout the night
Officials in Georgia said they will be counting ballots overnight and into Thursday morning, as workers continue to tally thousands of mail ballots.
Donald Trump is ahead of Biden by around 18,000 votes but there are still some 60,000 to be counted.
There is no automatic recount, but a candidate can request one if the margin is within 0.5 per cent.
‘Officials in numerous counties are continuing to count ballots, with strong security protocols in place to protect the integrity of our election,’ said Raffensperger on Wednesday night.
‘We have long anticipated – and said publicly – that counting would most likely take place into Wednesday night and perhaps Thursday morning.
‘We’re on pace to accomplish that responsibly, ensuring that the voice of every eligible voter is heard.
‘It’s important to act quickly, but it’s more important to get it right.’
The outstanding vote was primarily in the Atlanta area, which tends to lean Democratic.
On Wednesday, about 50 people were counting votes inside State Farm Arena, the home of the Atlanta Hawks NBA team.
Extra workers arrived at 10pm, bringing in more tables for the count.
Counties have until 5pm on Nov. 13 to certify results.
At stake in Georgia are 16 electoral votes. All absentee ballots were due on Tuesday.
The counting of up to 60,000 ballots in Atlanta was also delayed for two hours on Tuesday due to a burst pipe in the room where they were being kept.
The leak took place early on Tuesday morning at State Farm Arena.
The counting of absentee ballots in Atlanta had to be paused due to a burst water pipe in the room they were being held in State Farm Arena in the city (pictured)
A poll worker sorts through voting material in Atlanta on election day on Tuesday