A Record Early Vote Sets Up Tuesday
Early in-person voting ran from October 13 through Friday, October 30. On Thursday, October 29, the Georgia Secretary of State's office reported that 2,294,275 Georgians had voted early in person, passing the 2022 midterm record of 2,289,951, according to WTOC. Atlanta News First reported that almost 2.3 million early votes had been cast by the end of that day, and that Cobb County turnout was up 35 percent.
If you did not vote early, the rules are different tomorrow. During early voting you could use any advance site in your county. On Election Day you must vote at your own assigned precinct, and early-voting locations do not work as a fallback. Look up your polling place on the Secretary of State's My Voter Page at mvp.sos.ga.gov before you leave, and keep up with our latest news coverage through Tuesday night.
The Senate and Governor Races at the Top of the Ticket
Democratic incumbent Jon Ossoff faces Republican U.S. Rep. Mike Collins for one of Georgia's two U.S. Senate seats. WTOC described the contest after the June primaries as a race that will help determine the balance of power in Washington. The governor's office is open this year. Democrat Keisha Lance Bottoms, a former Atlanta mayor, faces Republican Rick Jackson, a health care executive who won the GOP runoff over Lt. Gov. Burt Jones.
The rest of the statewide ballot is long. According to the state's official election guide on Georgia.gov, voters will also choose a lieutenant governor, secretary of state, attorney general, the commissioners of agriculture, insurance and labor, a state school superintendent and a Public Service Commissioner, along with all 14 U.S. House districts and every seat in the Georgia General Assembly. Depending on where you live, judicial, county, city and school board races and local measures may also appear. More Atlanta coverage is on our city page.
Three Constitutional Amendments to Read Before You Vote
Every Georgia ballot carries three statewide constitutional amendments. One would let lawmakers create a protected fund for upgrading the state's 911 system, known as Next Generation 911, to support cellphone location tracking and contacting 911 by text, photo or video. WTOC reported that the Georgia Emergency Management and Homeland Security Agency says 88 percent of the state's 911 centers rely on aging infrastructure. Critics argue the money could be steered to other law enforcement purposes.
A second amendment would make all probate judge elections nonpartisan, removing party labels from those races. Probate judges handle matters such as wills and estates. Some voters worry that dropping the labels would leave them with less information about candidates, WTOC reported. A yes vote makes the races nonpartisan, and a no vote keeps party labels on the ballot.
The third would double the acreage cap for Georgia's conservation use property tax break from 2,000 to 4,000 acres. The 10-year program lowers property taxes for landowners who keep farmland, timber and green space out of development, according to Atlanta News First. Supporters say it eases the load on family farmers, while opponents say it mainly helps large industrial operations. A yes vote raises the cap, and a no vote keeps it at 2,000 acres.
Know the Rules Before You Head Out Tuesday
Polls open at 7 a.m. and close at 7 p.m. If you are in line by 7 p.m., you are allowed to cast your ballot, according to Georgia.gov and FOX 5 Atlanta. Bring a valid photo ID. Acceptable forms include a Georgia driver's license, even if expired, a U.S. passport, a valid military photo ID or a tribal photo ID. The state also issues a free voter ID card at any county board of registrars office.
If a poll worker cannot confirm your information or you forgot your ID, you can request a provisional ballot. FOX 5 Atlanta reports that voters then have three days after the election to verify eligibility with their county registrar so the ballot can count. Election officials say it is too late to rely on the mail for absentee ballots. A completed absentee ballot must reach your county registrar or a county drop box by 7 p.m. Tuesday, and anyone voting in person instead should bring the unused absentee ballot so workers can cancel it.
Atlanta, Vote and Keep the City's Soundtrack On
Some races may not end Tuesday. Under Georgia law, a candidate needs a majority of the vote, 50 percent plus one, to win outright, and the top two finishers in any race that falls short advance to a runoff on December 1, 2026. Whatever happens tomorrow, Di-VerZe E.N.T will keep covering what it means for Atlanta on our news and culture blog.
Plan your trip, confirm your polling place and give yourself time before the 7 p.m. cutoff. While you wait, stream Di-VerZe HitZ Radio live for nonstop hip-hop and R&B on the web, iOS and Android, or put on one of our Atlanta DJ mixes. Then come back Tuesday night for coverage of the results as they are reported.