GA General Election 2022: Early Voting Begins Monday, What To Know

GEORGIA — Georgia voters can begin casting their ballots Monday as early voting begins Oct. 17 ahead of Election Day Nov. 8.

Early voters can cast ballots Monday-Friday and on the second and third Saturdays before Election Day.

Some polling places will also be open on the second and third Sundays, but election officials say voters should verify specific dates and polling hours with their early voting precincts.

Generally, polling places are open from 9 a.m.-5 p.m. during the week and from 9 a.m.-4 p.m. on Saturdays during early voting.

Early voting ends Nov. 4. The last day to register to vote in Georgia was Oct. 11, meaning the deadline has passed.

Registered voters can also request an absentee ballot application, the deadline for which is Oct. 28. Ballots were set to start being mailed Tuesday. Absentee ballots need to be returned before polls close on Election Day to be counted.

Voters have several options to request absentee ballots and for returning the completed ballots.

On Election Day, polling places will be open from 7 a.m.-7 p.m. According to the Secretary of State's office, as long as people are in line by 7 p.m., they will be allowed to vote.

Voters should go to the My Voter Page to determine that they are eligible to vote and to find their polling place and early voting locations. Voters can also confirm their addresses are up to date and view sample ballots.

Voters can still register to vote if there is a federal runoff election, the date for which is set as Dec.6. The deadline to register for that election is Nov.7.

Georgia's law requires photo ID while voting — either in-person or absentee.

The following identifications are accepted for voting, according to the Secretary of State's office:

• Any valid state or federal government-issued photo ID, including a free ID issued by your county registrar's office or the Georgia Department of Driver Services
• A Georgia driver's license, even if expired
• Student ID from a Georgia public college or university
• Valid employee photo ID from any branch, department, agency, or entity of the U.S. Government, Georgia, or any county, municipality, board, authority or other entity of this state

• Valid U.S. passport ID
• Valid U.S. military photo ID containing a photograph of the voter
• Valid tribal photo ID containing a photograph of the voter

More information on voting ID requirements, including for absentee ballots, can be found here.

Below are the key statewide races in the 2022 Georgia general election:

• Stacey Abrams, a Democrat, is vying to unseat Gov. Brian Kemp, a Republican, as the two once again face each other in the gubernatorial race.
• Herschel Walker, a Republican, challenges incumbent Rev. Raphael Warnock, a Democrat, for the U.S. Senate.
• Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger, a Republican, faces challengers Bee Nguyen, a Democrat, and Ted Metz, a Libertarian, for secretary of state.
• Incumbent Richard Woods, a Republican, is going against challenger Alisha Thomas Searcy, a Democrat, for state school superintendent.
• Incumbent Burt Jones, a Republican, is pitted against Charlie Bailey, a Democrat, and Ryan Graham, a Libertarian for lieutenant governor
• Incumbent Chris Carr, a Republican, is challenged by Jennifer "Jen" Jordan, a Democrat, and Martin Cowen, a Libertarian for attorney general

Read more information on voting in Georgia here.