Georgia early voting sets record with more than 190K voters
Georgia early voting turnout tops 190K
Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger announced that nearly 346,000 Georgians cast ballots during the first two days of early voting. Former Atlanta Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms joined voters at the South Fulton Southwest Arts Center as day-one turnout surged 40% above 2022 levels.
ATLANTA - A record-breaking crowd of voters flooded polling locations across Georgia on the first day of early voting, shattering previous midterm turnout records.
Georgia early voting turnout
What we know:
More than 190,000 Georgians cast their ballots in person during the opening day of early voting. State election data shows that the initial wave brought out roughly 190,000 total first-day voters, representing an increase of 55,000 voters compared to the first day of early voting in the 2022 midterm election.
Georgia Secretary of State Brad Raffensberger attributed the historic numbers to rapid population growth and energized voters motivated by key political issues. Raffensberger stated he expects total turnout for this election cycle to challenge or surpass the previous record set in 2022, when nearly 4 million Georgians voted.
Voters casting ballots at locations like the C.T. Martin Recreation Center and the Buckhead Library reported shoet wait times despite the steady volume. Election officials noted that recent changes to state election operations have streamlined the voting process and ensured clean voter rolls.
"Voters right now, they are just energized," Raffensberger said. "I fully expect we will probably have numbers that will beat the previous record in 2022... we almost hit 4 million."
"I came yesterday around 10 a.m.," voter Jennifer Mitchell said. "The line... maybe 15 people ahead of me, but it was speedy."
A new step at the polls
Dig deeper:
Voters will see an additional check-in step this election cycle. After poll workers check voters in electronically, they are required to handwrite each voter’s name on a numbered list. The measure is intended to help election officials maintain accurate records and create a paper record of who has cast a ballot.
Voters interviewed during the first day said the process went smoothly and did not add much time to voting.
Long-term turnout projections
What we don't know:
Election officials have not confirmed whether this high initial pace will continue through the remainder of the three-week early voting window or if total turnout will break the all-time record.
Early vote results reporting
What's next:
Early voting polls will remain open daily from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. over the next three weeks across Georgia. Raffensberger stated that all early voting tallies gathered during this period will be fully reported by 8 p.m. on Election Day, within one hour of polls officially closing.
"We run the best elections in the entire country," Raffensberger said. "We have the cleanest voter list. Then we have those quick results on Election Day. One hour after the polls closed, all that early voting that started yesterday that all gets reported by 8 p.m."
Important dates
The deadline to request an absentee ballot in person from a county registrar is Oct. 23. Early voting ends Oct. 30. Election Day is Tuesday, Nov. 3.
PREVIOUS STORIES