Politics
Nearly 2 million Georgians have voted early, with turnout 7% ahead of 2022
Early voting is running ahead of the same point in Georgia’s last midterm, with increased participation among diverse voters and stronger turnout in parts of metro Atlanta. Republican candidates are seeing pockets of strength in north Atlanta’s exurbs, while rural turnout remains a concern for the GOP.
Nearly 2 million Georgians had cast ballots by midday Tuesday, Oct. 27, a week before Election Day, putting early turnout about 7% ahead of the same point in the 2022 midterm, according to the GeorgiaVotes tracking website.
The growing vote offers an early look at the electorate in a closely watched midterm, but it does not determine the outcome. Turnout figures show where and when people are voting; they do not reveal how those voters will mark their ballots.
The current pattern includes higher participation in parts of left-leaning metro Atlanta than at this stage in 2022, as well as more voters from diverse groups who did not vote in the last midterm. Those shifts could matter in statewide contests, including the governor’s race between Democrat Keisha Lance Bottoms and Republican Rick Jackson.
Republicans have had stronger turnout in some north Atlanta exurbs. At the same time, the party is working to boost participation in rural Georgia, where turnout has been sluggish. Jackson appeared with President Donald Trump at a campaign rally in Perry on Saturday.
Georgia’s early-voting period began Oct. 13. With the Nov. 3 election approaching, the emerging turnout map may shape campaign strategy, but the final electorate will depend on who votes on Election Day and in the remaining early-voting period.