ATLANTA, Ga. (Atlanta News First) — Friday marks the final opportunity for Georgians to cast their ballots early in person before Election Day arrives for next 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. On Thursday, the Georgia Secretary of State’s office reported that statewide early in-person voting for a midterm election had broken the previous record set in 2022.

By the end of Thursday, almost 2.3 million early votes had been cast.

Counties are reaching out to residents as Election Day approaches. On Friday, Cobb County officials discussed what voters should know before they head to the polls.

“We want to make sure people can vote as smoothly and as easily as possible,” said Lisa Cupid, chair of the Cobb County Board of Commissioners.

Watch the full news conference:

In Cobb County, turnout is up 35% — topping 200,000 early votes as of Thursday night, according to county officials.

“It lets me know that people are interested in what’s happening and they want to make sure they have a voice in what the outcome is on Tuesday,” Cupid said.

Once the polls close 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.

High-stakes matchups on the Georgia ballot

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.

Heavy hitters make final push

The national spotlight has brought a steady stream of political heavyweights to Georgia over the closing stretch.

President Donald Trump rallied supporters in Perry last weekend following a previous stop in Dalton, while Vice President JD Vance stumped in Atlanta to mobilize the conservative base.

Meanwhile, Democrats have deployed their own national firepower. Former President Barack Obama headlined a campaign rally in metro Atlanta earlier this week, and former Vice President Kamala Harris is set to close out early voting Friday with a Fulton County Democratic Party mobilization event.

How to find your early voting location Friday

Unlike Election Day—when you must vote at your specific neighborhood precinct—Georgia voters can cast their ballot at any designated advance voting location within their registered county through Friday.

Hours and locations vary by county, so voters are strongly encouraged to check their specific polling site schedule before heading out:

1. Visit the state’s official voter portal at mvp.sos.ga.gov.
2. Log in using your first initial, last name, county of registration, and date of birth.
3. Scroll to “Early Voting Polling Locations” to view available sites, operating hours, and municipal addresses in your county.
4. While logged into My Voter Page, review your sample ballot to familiarize yourself with candidates and local ballot questions before entering the booth.

What to bring: photo ID requirements

Georgia law requires registered voters to present a valid government-issued photo identification card to vote in person. Accepted forms of ID include:

• A valid Georgia driver’s license (even if expired)
• Any valid state or federal government-issued photo ID (including a free voter ID card issued by county registrars or DDS)
• A valid U.S. passport
• A valid employee photo ID issued by any branch, department, agency, or entity of the federal, state, county, or local government
• A valid U.S. military photo ID
• A valid tribal photo ID card

Absentee ballot reminders

For voters holding mail-in absentee ballots, officials caution that it is now too late to rely on the mail to return completed ballots.

Completed absentee ballots must be returned by hand to an official county drop box (located inside designated early voting sites during voting hours on Friday) or delivered directly to the county registrar’s office by 7 p.m. on Election Day, Nov. 3. Ballots received after the 7 p.m. deadline cannot be counted, regardless of postmark date.

If you requested an absentee ballot but choose to vote in person instead, bring your unvoted paper ballot with you to the polls so election workers can cancel it on site.

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