Michigan state legislature closes offices due to 'credible threats of violence'

While some elections officials in Georgia grapple with difficult logistics surrounding the upcoming Senate runoff races, the state's GOP appears to be in full swing with its poll watcher recruitment efforts.

According to Abigail Sigler, a spokesperson for the Georgia Republican Party, Republicans across the state -- including the Georgia Republican Party, sitting Sens. Kelly Loeffler and David Perdue, the Republican National Committee and the National Republican Senatorial Committee – have over 4,000 volunteers signed up to serve as poll watchers during the early voting period. This number was also confirmed to ABC News by the NRSC.

Sigler said it is "the largest number in Georgia history and many more than during the general election."

The state's Senate runoffs on Jan. 5 will determine which party holds the majority in the incoming Congress' upper chamber.

-ABC News Alisa Wiersema

When retired four-star Gen. Lloyd Austin took the lectern for brief remarks, he stressed the importance of civilian leadership at the Pentagon in an attempt to squash looming concerns that it hasn't been seven years since he hung up his uniform as required by law for the post.

"When I concluded my military service four years ago, I hung up my uniform for the last time and went from being General Lloyd Austin to Lloyd Austin. It is an important distinction. And one that I make with utmost seriousness and sincerity,” he said. 

"I come to this new role as a civilian leader. With military experience to be sure, but also with a deep appreciation and reverence for the prevailing wisdom of civilian control of our military,” he continued. "As secretary of defense, my priority will always -- always -- be the men and women, military and civilian, who make up the department, and their families.”

Austin spoke of his prior relationship with Biden as he was in charge of operations in Iraq leading the withdrawal of all American troops from that country in December 2011, when Biden served as vice president.

"We've gotten to know each other under some intense and high-pressure situations. And sir, you can expect that, as secretary of defense, that I will give you the same direct and unvarnished counsel that I did back then," he said.

He also took the time to thank the leaders who have come before him, including the Tuskegee Airmen and the Montford Point Marines, as well as those who have mentored him throughout his career, including former Secretary of State and fellow retired four-star Gen. Colin Powell. He also referenced his time commanding Biden's late son Beau when he served in the military.

Biden is formally introducing retired four-star Army Gen. Lloyd Austin as his nominee as secretary of defense. If confirmed, Austin would be the first African American to helm the Pentagon.

"He's been breaking down barriers and blazing a trail forward in this nation for many years now -- for more than 40 years. And he has a long way to go. He's gonna do it again," Biden began. "You're a friend, but I wanna thank you, General Austin, for once more stepping forward to serve your nation." 

"This is not a post he sought, but I sought him," Biden added. 

Austin, the former commander of U.S. Central Command -- with jurisdiction over military activities in the Middle East -- retired in 2016 after more than four decades of military service, including a stint leading U.S. forces in Iraq and the campaign against the Islamic State. 

Because it has not been seven years since he's been out of uniform, Austin would require a waiver to serve in the top post, required to help ensure civilian control of the military.

Trump's first defense secretary, retired Gen. James Mattis, received enough votes to obtain the waiver, but it's unclear if Austin will have the same fate, as some Democrats have expressed hesitation in, again, breaking from the norm. Biden addressed those concerns head on, saying he wouldn't have made the nomination if the moment didn't call for it.

"So just as they did for Sec. Jim Mattis, I ask the Congress to grant a waiver for Secretary-designee Austin," Biden said. "Given the immense and urgent threats and challenges our nation faces, he should be confirmed swiftly."

Biden also noted the high proportion of minorities that serve in the U.S. military, saying that it is "long past time" that the leadership of the Department of Defense begin to reflect that diversity.

The president-elect revealed his decision to tap Austin as defense secretary in an op-ed published in The Atlantic Tuesday and echoed his praise on Wednesday, calling Austin "the definition of duty, honor, country."

Retired four-star Gen. Lloyd Austin could have a bumpy path to nomination as Biden’s defense secretary -- and not necessarily because of GOP opposition, but rather, opposition from Democrats. 

While some praise his qualifications, they are against waiving the requirement that military brass be at least seven years post-retirement for that position. Others have said they are open supporting the nomination.

Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer on Wednesday said he's going to have to "study" the waiver in this case.

"Bottom line is that Austin's a very good nominee, and we'll figure out where to go from there," Schumer told reporters. "I haven't talked to my colleagues yet about that I want to see what they have to say."

Sen. Jack Reed, the top Democrat on the Senate Armed Services Committee, signaled he's open to the waiver in a statement Wednesday despite previously saying he wouldn’t consider one again after voting in favor of the waiver for Trump's first defense secretary, retired Gen. James Mattis.

“It is the obligation of the Senate to thoroughly review this nomination in the historic context it is being presented and the impact it will have on future generations. Indeed, one cannot separate the waiver from the individual who has been nominated," the statement said. "I will carefully review this nomination and look forward to meeting with General Austin.”

But Sen. Richard Blumenthal, D-Conn., a senior member of the Armed Services Committee, has already told reporters he would not support the waiver, joining Democratic Sens. Elizabeth Warren and John Tester in expressing opposition. All three voted against granting the waiver to Mattis.

“I have the deepest respect and admiration for General Austin and this nomination. It is exciting and historic, but I believe that a waiver of the seven-year rule would contravene the basic principle that there should be civilian control over a nonpolitical military," Blumenthal said Tuesday. "I think, has to be applied unfortunately in this instance.”

-ABC News' Trish Turner