Record-Breaking Early Voting Turnout Surpasses 459K Ballots Cast In GA

ATLANTA, GA — The first day of early voting for the general election turned out record numbers for an election year in Georgia, Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger said Wednesday.

According to the numbers, Georgia voters showed up in droves to vote in the 2024 general election. This year, a presidential race joins a handful of local candidates in various counties, Congressional seats and three statewide measures on ballots.

Voters are deciding between key candidates former President Donald Trump and Vice President Kamala Harris to determine the next head of state. Meanwhile, a second closely watched race pits Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis against election and political attorney Courtney Kramer.

Raffensperger's office said at least 310,000 voters cast their ballots on Tuesday.

As of 1:30 p.m. Wednesday, 459,250 ballots had been cast. This breaks down to 431,895 early in-person ballots and 27,350 absentee ballots.

“Georgia voters are smart," Raffensperger said in a news release. "... Georgia voters shattered records yesterday and came out in record numbers because they know Georgia’s voting system is secure, efficient and accurate. That’s why we’re at the top for election integrity and voter convenience. We’re battle-tested and ready to serve every legal Georgia voter.”

RELATED

• GA Elections 2024: Here's Statewide Ballot Measures To Know
• Fani Willis Challenger Attacks DA's Handling Of YSL Trial: GA Election
• GA General Election 2024: What To Know About Early, Absentee Voting

Early voting on Tuesday was up from 70,849 ballots cast comparable to the 2018 midterm election. In the 2020 presidential election, 136,739 ballots were cast on the first day.

This year's early voting kickoff also beat out the first day of early voting in the 2022 midterm election, during which 134,962 ballots were cast.

Though some voters had to wait in lines for more than 30 minutes in metro Atlanta, Raffensperger said long lines were down to a minimum across the state.

Early voting will ramp up in its final week before Election Day, Nov. 5. Early voting ends on Nov. 1.

Two mandatory early voting Saturdays are being offered in Georgia starting this weekend. The other early voting Saturday will be held on Oct. 26.

The deadline to request an absentee ballot is Oct. 25.

Voting locations and hours can be found on the My Voter Page.