After months of political ads, contentious debates, insults hurled on social media and rallies across Georgia, election day is almost here.
The 2026 midterm elections will be held on Tuesday, Nov. 3 across the country, and Georgia voters will not only be deciding the direction for the state's next administration, but they will also be determining who will represent Georgia in Congress.
Incumbent Democrat Jon Ossoff is taking on Republican House Rep. Mike Collins to keep his seat in the Senate. Republican Rick Jackson is hoping to take over the legacy of Gov. Brian Kemp in the state house while facing former Atlanta mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms.
And other races up and down the ballot — from Lieutenant Governor and Attorney General to Secretary of
State and the Public Service Commission — have remained tight.
Here's what you need to know.
When can I vote?
Early voting is currently underway and will continue until Friday, Oct. 30 across the state. For specific polling locations and times, check the GA My Voter Page.
All polling locations will be open for election day on Tuesday, Nov. 3 from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. If you are already in line by 7 p.m., you will be allowed to vote past the time deadline.
The deadline to request an absentee ballot has passed. If you've already received your ballot, it must be returned and received by election officials by 7 p.m. on election day. It could take longer than a week to be returned, so you can also drop off your ballot in person at a drop box location or hand deliver it to your county registrar before the deadline.
Who is on the ballot in Georgia?
Here are thestatewide races on the ballot this midterm cycle:
U.S. Senate
- Mike Collins (R) vs Jon Ossoff (D-Incumbent)
Governor
- Rick Jackson (R) vs Keisha Lance Bottoms (D)
Lieutenant Governor
- Greg Dolezal (R) vs Josh McLaurin (D)
Secretary of State
- Tim Fleming (R) vs Penny Brown Reynolds (D)
Attorney General
- Brian Strickland (R) vs Tanya Miller (D)
Commissioner of Agriculture
- Tyler Harper (R-Incumbent) vs Katherine E. Juhan-Arnold (D)
Commissioner of Insurance
- John King (R-Incumbent) vs Keisha Sean Waites (D)
Commissioner of Labor
- Bárbara Rivera Holmes (R-Incumbent) vs Nikki Porcher (D)
State School Superintendent
- Richard Woods (R-Incumbent) vs Lydia Powell (D)
Public Service Commissioner District 3
- Fitz Johnson (R) vs Peter Hubbard (D-Incumbent)
Public Service Commissioner District 5
- Josh Tolbert (R) vs Shelia Edwards (D)
Additional local races and ballot measures my also be on your ballot. See a sample ballot for your district at the GA My Voter Page.
Has early voting had high turnout?
Early voting in Georgia has continued to set records this election cycle.
As of Tuesday morning, more than 2 million votes had been cast early across the state. This includes early in-person voting as well as absentee ballots that have already been returned. Just shy of 27% of Georgia's total voting population, 7.5 million voters, has voted early.
This has far outpaced the 2022 midterms and 2020 early turnout, particularly in counties in the greater metro Atlanta area. Early voting on the first few days hit an all-time record, with more than 50,000 additional votes being cast compared to the first day of the 2022 cycle.
What do polls show for top-of-the-ballot races?
Polling in the last few weeks has remained relatively consistent. Ossoff continues to lead Collins while the race for governor between Bottoms and Jackson remains incredibly close. Here's a look at some recent polls:
U.S. Senate
- Echelon Insights — Ossoff 55%, Collins 40%
- Atlanta Journal-Constitution — Ossoff 48%, Collins 40%
- Quantus Insights — Ossoff 51.8%, Collins 44.9%
Governor
- Echelon Insights — Bottoms 49%, Jackson 48%
- Atlanta Journal-Constitution — Bottoms 45%, Jackson 46%
- Quantus Insights — Bottoms 46.6%, Jackson 48.2%
Irene Wright covers Georgia politics as the Atlanta Connect reporter with USA TODAY’s Deep South Connect team. Find her on X @IreneEWright or email her at ismith@usatodayco.com.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Election Day is a week away. Here's everything you need to know in GA
