Georgia elections: Early Voting for primary and runoff races are critical for midterms
Georgia is entering the final stretch of early voting ahead of its closely watched May 19, 2026, primary elections, with turnout already surpassing previous records.
More than 400,000 voters had cast early or absentee ballots as of May 8, reflecting strong engagement in one of the most closely watched primary cycles in the country. Early voting, which began April 27, runs through Friday, May 15. This past weekend marked the final opportunity for optional Saturday and Sunday voting, typically a key driver of turnout.
Democrats have continued to outpace Republicans in early voting, though their lead has narrowed since the first days of voting. The key primary race: Republicans will choose a nominee to face Democratic U.S. Sen. Jon Ossoff this fall. Three metro Atlanta congressional seats are also open: the 10th, 11th and 13th.
Adding to the intensity, all four of Georgia’s top constitutional offices are on the ballot in both parties’ primaries—governor, lieutenant governor, secretary of state, and attorney general—raising the stakes and drawing national attention.
With just days remaining, election officials are bracing for a final wave of voters ahead of the early voting deadline.
During the second week of early voting for Georgia’s 2026 primary election begins, Georgia voters turned out in record numbers across the state. Georgia saw record-breaking turnout and no lines during the first week of early voting this year, with over 214,000 Georgians casting ballots through the first 7 days compared to over 167,000 during that same time in 2022, which marks a 28% increase.
“This record-breaking turnout is a testament to a strong election system, overseen by the best in the business – county election directors who are dedicated to serving their communities,” said Secretary Raffensperger. “Georgians know it’s easy to vote and cast a ballot securely in the Peach State.”
Voters can cast ballot early through Friday, May 15.
“Georgians are heading to the polls in force, further disproving the critics. For years, naysayers have launched unfounded attacks, but Georgians know the facts: it’s easy to vote and hard to cheat here in Georgia,” added Raffensperger.President Trump’s recent executive order aimed at restricting mail-in voting is introducing uncertainty ahead of November’s election. While legal experts widely expect the order to be struck down in court, it has already created confusion among voters and state officials.
For the Democrats, there are seven names on the ballot, including the former mayor of Atlanta, the former CEO of DeKalb County, the former lieutenant governor of Georgia and former state legislators.
Democrats
Keisha Lance Bottoms: The former mayor of Atlanta and an administration adviser during the Biden presidency, Bottoms touts her record on affordable housing and COVID pandemic management as mayor and says she is running to “deliver for working families and bring steady leadership to Georgia in the midst of uncertainty and chaos.”
Olu Brown: The former lead pastor at Impact Church in East Point, Brown emphasizes his campaign’s “citizen-powered plan” for Georgia, centered on expanding healthcare and affordable housing.
Amanda Duffy: Duffy describes herself as a neurodivergent working-class mom whose campaign priority is financial security, saying she wants to “give volume to the voices of the lower-middle-class families like mine that are consistently stuck in financial survival mode.”
Geoff Duncan: Duncan is the state’s former Republican lieutenant governor, who has since switched parties; he makes the case that his experience in office during the 2020 election makes him best positioned to “stand up to Trump” and “focus on what matters most to families — bringing down the cost of childcare, healthcare, and housing.”
Jason Esteves: A recent state senator and former Atlanta education board member, Esteves says he will represent a “new generation of leadership” with a campaign emphasis on cutting the cost of living, expanding healthcare and investing in small businesses.
Derrick Jackson: Jackson is a former state representative and Navy veteran who emphasizes his “determination, enthusiasm, keen work ethic” and is campaigning on raising the minimum wage, expanding healthcare access and investing in small businesses.
Mike Thurmond: The former CEO of DeKalb County, Thurmond says he “ended a culture of corruption and debt” in office and has an “affordability agenda” at the center of his campaign, emphasizing cutting sales taxes, expanding homeownership and lowering healthcare costs.
Republicans
Chris Carr: The current Georgia attorney general, Carr has campaigned with an emphasis on his record as the state’s top prosecutor, with human trafficking and gangs a particular focus, and what he describes as a “mission of protecting Georgians’ lives, livelihoods and liberties.”
Clark Dean: Dean is a real estate executive and civic leader who emphasizes faith, family and public service as themes of his campaign, which includes an “ASAP Plan” focused on affordability, strength, accessibility and prosperity.
Rick Jackson: Jackson is the billionaire founder of Jackson Healthcare and has painted himself as a Trump-like maverick outsider, stressing his humble upbringing through the foster care system, his self-made fortune, and a pledge to “cut taxes, lower costs, secure the state, and make government work for the people.”
Burt Jones: Jones is the current lieutenant governor and was among the staunchest supporters of President Donald Trump during the 2020 election; he now has the president’s endorsement and bills himself as a “lifelong conservative, business leader, and public servant” who helped push for tax cuts and pass the Riley Gaines Act in office.
Gregg Kirkpatrick: A biotech executive and entrepreneur, Kirkpatrick has previously run for state House in Cherokee County on themes of faith and conservative values.
Brad Raffensperger: The current secretary of state, Raffensperger, famously defended the state’s 2020 election outcome against criticism from President Donald Trump and touts his record of modernizing and securing state elections; he bills himself as a “man of faith and conservative businessman who stands on principle.”
Tom Williams: A software and electronics worker for 35 years at Robins Air Force Base, Williams says he is a “true political outsider” whose campaign themes include prioritizing honest elections, honest government and working people.
Ken Yasger: Yasger is a military veteran who promises “fair, unbiased leadership that will put Georgian’s first” on campaign planks like eliminating the state income tax and legalizing marijuana and gambling.
U.S. Senate
Democrats
Jon Ossoff: An incumbent running unopposed in the Democratic primary, Ossoff touts his record in the Senate on investigating corruption and “reforming a broken system,” with his campaign billing him as a “legislative workhorse” who has worked on issues including capping insulin prices for seniors and combatting the opioid epidemic in rural areas.
Republicans
Buddy Carter: Carter is a sixth-term U.S. House representative for the 1st District in southeast Georgia, billing himself as a “MAGA Warrior” whose campaign emphasizes his support for Trump’s “America First” policies, including on the border and regarding trans participation in sports.
Mike Collins: Also a U.S. House representative, serving his first term for the 10th District, Collins is a self-described “conservative workhorse” who has owned a trucking business and is closely aligned with President Trump, noting he has been a “constant figure at Trump rallies, office openings, and events in Georgia;” he was also central to passing the Laken Riley Act.
John Coyne III: Coyne is reportedly a former Democrat who has run for office and is described as a centrist.
Derek Dooley: The former University of Tennessee football coach and son of UGA legend Vince Dooley, Dooley is the endorsed candidate of Governor Brian Kemp running a “Georgia First” campaign emphasizing his outsider status and support for advancing the Trump agenda.
Jonathan McColumn: A retired brigadier general, McColumn touts his “Biblical world view” with campaign planks including care for veterans, support for higher wages and salaries, and improved access to healthcare.
Georgia Attorney General
Georgia voters will also decide competitive primaries for attorney general, the state’s top legal office responsible for prosecuting certain crimes, defending state laws, advising agencies and protecting consumers.
Candidates from both parties have outlined differing priorities involving crime, civil rights, public corruption and the role of the office itself.
Republicans
Bill Cowsert: Bill Cowsert is running on a platform centered heavily on crime enforcement and changes to how prosecutions are handled across the state.
He has proposed creating a “Safe Streets Strike Force,” a group of prosecutors who could assist local district attorneys in handling major criminal cases. Cowsert has also said he would take a more active role if local prosecutors decline to pursue certain cases.
Another key part of his platform involves addressing what he describes as “rogue prosecutors,” with proposals to enforce standards and oversight. He has also called for a statewide grand jury system to handle cases involving public officials.
Brian Strickland: Brian Strickland’s campaign focuses on expanding enforcement efforts and defending state laws, particularly those related to crime, elections and gun rights.
He has proposed increasing resources for gang and drug task forces to address violent crime statewide. Strickland has also emphasized defending Georgia’s election laws and ensuring what he describes as election integrity.
His platform also includes immigration enforcement, combating human trafficking, protecting parents’ rights in education policy and targeting financial scams affecting seniors and small businesses.
Democrats
Tanya Miller: Tanya Miller is campaigning on the idea that the attorney general should serve as a legal advocate for all Georgians, emphasizing public safety, consumer protection and constitutional rights.
A former prosecutor, Miller highlights her experience working with law enforcement and says she would focus on issues such as human trafficking, gang violence, illegal gun activity and the spread of fentanyl. She has also pointed to the attorney general’s role as the state’s top consumer protection official, pledging to take action against scams, predatory lending and price gouging.
Miller has also emphasized the importance of maintaining independence in the role, saying the office should provide impartial legal guidance and defend rights such as voting access and privacy.
Bob Trammell: Bob Trammell’s campaign centers on a broad “protection” platform, focusing on communities, livelihoods, finances, rights and online safety.
On public safety, Trammell has highlighted efforts to combat human trafficking, drug activity and gang violence, while also emphasizing partnerships between law enforcement and communities. Economically, he has pointed to worker protections, environmental concerns and sustainable growth as key priorities.
Trammell has also focused on financial protections, particularly for seniors targeted by scams, and has called for stronger enforcement against fraud schemes. His platform includes protecting civil rights, reproductive rights and election integrity, as well as addressing digital threats such as data misuse and online scams.
Georgia Secretary of State
The Georgia secretary of state oversees election administration, voter registration, campaign finance disclosures, business licensing and certification of election results.
With no incumbent seeking the office, both parties feature competitive primaries.
Republicans
Tim Fleming: A former chief of staff to Gov. Brian Kemp.
Vernon Jones: A former state representative and former CEO of DeKalb County.
Kelvin King: Founder of a construction firm and Air Force veteran.
Ted Metz: A former chair of the Libertarian Party of Georgia who has previously run for this office.
Gabriel Sterling: A high-ranking official within the Secretary of State’s office known for his role in overseeing the 2020 election implementation.
Democrats
Cam Ashling: A financial professional and small business owner.
Dana Barrett: A former radio host and business spokesperson.
Adrian Consonery Jr.: A community advocate and author focused on voter education.
Penny Brown Reynolds: A former state court judge and former acting Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights at the United States Department of Agriculture.
All other Georgia races
Lieutenant Governor — Republican Primary
- David Clark — Republican
- Greg Dolezal — Republican
- Steve Gooch — Republican
- John Kennedy — Republican
- Brenda Nelson-Porter — Republican
- Takosha Swan — Republican
- Blake Tillery — Republican
Lieutenant Governor — Democratic Primary
- Josh McLaurin — Democrat
- Nabilah Parkes — Democrat
- Richard Wright — Democrat
Agriculture Commissioner — Democratic Primary
- Katherine Juhan-Arnold — Democrat
- Sedrick Rowe — Democrat
Insurance Commissioner — Democratic Primary
- Clarence Blalock — Democrat
- Thomas Dean — Democrat
- A.J. Jain — Democrat
- DeAndre Mathis — Democrat
- Keisha Waites — Democrat
State School Superintendent — Republican Primary
- Nelva Lee — Republican
- Fred Longgrear — Republican
- Mesha Mainor — Republican
- Randell Trammell — Republican
- Richard Woods — Republican
State School Superintendent — Democratic Primary
- Anton Anthony — Democrat
- Lydia Powell — Democrat
- Otha Thornton — Democrat
Labor Commissioner — Democratic Primary
- Brett Hulme — Democrat
- Jason Moon — Democrat
- Nikki Porcher — Democrat
- Michelle Sanchez — Democrat
- Christian Smith — Democrat
Public Service Commission District 3 — Republican Primary
- Fitz Johnson — Republican
- Brandon Martin — Republican
Public Service Commission District 5 — Republican Primary
- Bobby Mehan — Republican
- Carolyn Roddy — Republican
- Josh Tolbert — Republican
Public Service Commission District 5 — Democratic Primary
- Craig Cupid — Democrat
- Shelia Edwards — Democrat
- Angelia Pressley — Democrat
With nearly one in three Americans voting by mail in the 2024 general election, even temporary uncertainty could discourage participation. In the meantime, some state officials may begin taking steps to comply with the order—changes that could prove difficult to reverse quickly, even if the courts ultimately invalidate it.
Georgia is once again expected to play a pivotal role in this year’s midterm elections, with races for a competitive U.S. Senate seat and a new governor drawing national attention.
Key races include: the governor’s race which has a crowded field of some high profile contenders including former Atlanta Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms, former Lt. Gov. Geoff Duncan, and former DeKalb County CEO Michael Thurmond.
On the federal level incumbent Sen. Jon Ossoff (D) is running for a second term in a high-profile race. The Attorney General seat is also up for grabs since incumbent Chris Carr (R) decided to run for governor instead of seeking re-election. Democrats in the race include Tanya Miller – Georgia State Rep. (District 62); assistant district attorney in Fulton County and Robert Trammell – former Georgia State Rep. (District 132).
The winner of the Republican and Democratic primaries will face off in the general election on November 3.
With only five weeks left until the state’s closely contested watched primaries among Republicans and Democrats will be decided, voting in primaries and runoffs will be critical. Runoffs before the state’s nationally wanted general elections on Nov. 3, 2026 will chart the state’s electoral future for at least the next four years.
Georgia’s federal races could also directly impact the balance of political power in Washington, D.C.
Here are some key voting and election dates from now through June:
- April 20, 2026 – Absentee ballots mailed for May primary
- April 20, 2026 – Last day to register to vote in May primary
- April 27, 2026 – Early voting begins for May primary
- May 2, 2026 – First day of Saturday voting for May primary
- May 3, 2026 – First optional Sunday voting for May primary
- May 8, 2026 – Last day to request an absentee ballot for May primary
- May 9, 2026 – Saturday voting for May primary
- May 10, 2026 – Optional Sunday voting for May primary
- May 15, 2026 – Last day of early voting for May primary
- May 18, 2026 – Last day to register for the June runoff
- May 19, 2026 – Georgia primary elections
- June 5, 2026 – Last day to request an absentee ballot for the June runoff
- June 8, 2026 – First day of early voting in June runoff
- June 12, 2026 – Last day of early voting in June runoff
- June 16, 2026 – June runoff elections
