Georgia Sets Midterm Early Voting Record With One Day Left
Georgia surpassed its previous midterm record for in-person early voting on October 29, with 2,294,275 ballots cast by 1:35 p.m. The total edged past the 2,289,951 recorded in 2022, with one day of advance voting remaining statewide on Friday. More than 30% of Georgia’s 7.5 million active registered voters had already voted.
The state was also on pace to exceed its 2022 record of 2.5 million early ballots when in-person and mail-in votes are combined. The Secretary of State’s office said 108,251 absentee ballots had been accepted by 1:35 p.m. Women made up 56% of early voters, while men accounted for 44%. White voters represented about half of ballots, Black voters about 30%, Hispanic voters roughly 3% and Asian voters 2%.
Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger credited county election officials and voter confidence for the record. The high turnout comes as Democrat Keisha Lance Bottoms and Republican Rick Jackson compete for the governor’s office, while Democratic Sen. Jon Ossoff faces Republican Mike Collins. Barack Obama and Kamala Harris have campaigned in Georgia for Democrats; President Donald Trump has rallied for Republicans. Early voting continues Friday, and Election Day is November 3, with polling locations open from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.
Record Georgia Turnout Signals Democratic Energy Before Midterms
Georgia’s record-breaking early vote offers a warning sign for Republicans heading into the November 3 midterms. By 1:35 p.m. on October 29, more than 2.29 million people had voted in person, topping the previous midterm mark set in 2022, with another day of early voting still to come.
Democratic candidates Keisha Lance Bottoms and Sen. Jon Ossoff have drawn support from Barack Obama and Kamala Harris, who have campaigned in the state. A political science professor said statistical models show Democrats with an advantage among early voters, describing the figures as welcome news for the party. Women account for 56% of early ballots, and Black voters about 30%.
The record arrives as voters weigh a Republican administration that Democrats have criticized over affordability and other issues. Donald Trump has campaigned for Republican governor candidate Rick Jackson and Senate candidate Mike Collins. Turnout alone does not determine the result, but the high participation and the professor’s assessment underscore the stakes for Republicans. Voting continues Friday; Election Day is November 3.
Georgia’s Voting Record Is No Election-Day Verdict
Georgia’s early-voting record is a turnout milestone, not a result. By 1:35 p.m. on October 29, 2,294,275 people had voted in person, just above the prior midterm record from 2022. Voting continues Friday, and Georgians will choose their candidates on November 3.
Republican governor candidate Rick Jackson and Senate candidate Mike Collins have received support from President Donald Trump, who rallied in Georgia over the weekend. Democrats Keisha Lance Bottoms and Sen. Jon Ossoff have campaigned with Barack Obama and Kamala Harris. The record total does not by itself establish which party will prevail in either race.
A political science professor characterized early-vote models as favoring Democrats and attributed the trend to greater Democratic enthusiasm. That is an interpretation of the figures, not a final count of the electorate’s choices. Mail-in absentee voting is lower than in 2022, while the combined total of early in-person and mail ballots is on pace to exceed the previous midterm record. Polling places will be open on Election Day from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.
Reported by Atlanta News First, Newsweek, FOX 5 Atlanta.
