ATLANTA, Ga. - Friday marked the final opportunity for Georgians to cast their ballots early in person before Election Day arrives for Tuesday’s nationally watched 2026 midterm elections.

Since early voting launched across the Peach State on Oct. 13, voters have turned out in historic numbers.

More than 190,000 ballots were cast during the first day of early voting. Election officials said that turnout shattered the 2022 midterm record by more than 53,000 votes.

The last day of early voting in Georgia was Oct. 30. Overall, more than 2.7 million Georgians cast their ballots early.

Once the polls closed on Friday evening, voters who haven’t cast an early ballot will have to wait until Election Day, Tuesday, Nov. 3, when voting is restricted strictly to assigned neighborhood precincts.

The massive early turnout reflects the national gravity of this cycle’s marquee races at the top of the Georgia ticket:

• U.S. Senate race. Democratic incumbent Sen. Jon Ossoff faces Republican challenger U.S. Rep. Mike Collins in what has become one of the country’s most fiercely contested and heavily funded campaigns. With Georgia serving as the sole Democratic-held seat up for reelection in a state carried by Donald Trump two years ago, the outcome will play a pivotal role in deciding party control of the Senate.
• Georgia governor’s race. Republican nominee Rick Jackson and former Atlanta Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms, the Democratic nominee, are locked in a spirited contest to lead the state, framing contrasting visions for state taxes, economic development, education, and health care access.
• Down-ballot and legislative races: Georgians are also deciding key state constitutional offices, competitive U.S. House districts, and legislative seats across the Georgia General Assembly.

About the key races

Georgians will decide who the next governor will be. Whoever wins will be at the forefront of change following two terms under Gov. Brian Kemp.

Another major race Georgia voters will decide is who will represent the state in the U.S. Senate.

Along with the governor’s race and the U.S. Senate race, all of the other statewide executive races are also on the ballot.

There are two Public Service Commission races that will be decided in November.

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