Key Highlights:
- Georgia’s first-day early voting nearly doubled over 252,000 from 136,000 in 2020.
- Most Georgians prefer in-person over mail-in voting.
- Georgia now requires ID for mail-in ballots and limits drop-off locations.
As the United States approaches a pivotal presidential election on Nov. 5, Georgia is experiencing a significant surge in early voting turnout. Voters are participating in record numbers for this highly anticipated contest between Democrat Kamala Harris and Republican Donald Trump. As of 4 p.m. EDT on Tuesday, over 252,000 Georgians had cast their ballots at early-voting locations—almost doubling the turnout on the first day of early voting compared to the 2020 election.
Gabriel Sterling, Georgia’s deputy election official, praised the “spectacular turnout” on social media, highlighting the increased voter enthusiasm.
The rising popularity of early voting, whether in person or by mail, reflects a broader trend across the United States. According to the University of Florida’s Election Lab, nearly one in seven Americans cast their ballots ahead of Election Day in 2020. This year, early voting has continued to grow, with 5.5 million Americans having already voted nationwide, even though this is lower than the 27 million who had voted at the same point in the 2020 election. The decrease can be attributed in part to the reduced urgency compared to 2020 when the COVID-19 pandemic prompted many to avoid crowded polling places.
Mail-in voting, however, remains a contentious issue, particularly among Republicans. During the 2020 election, many GOP leaders voiced concerns over the expansion of mail-in voting, arguing it was less secure than in-person voting. Former President Trump fueled these concerns with unfounded claims of mail ballot fraud as he contested his loss to Joe Biden. Despite the controversy, party officials are now urging supporters to vote early, recognizing its importance in a closely contested election.
Since 2020, Georgia has tightened its mail-voting laws, joining other states in implementing stricter requirements. Voters requesting absentee ballots must now provide proof of identity, and there are fewer ballot drop-off locations. These measures reflect an ongoing national debate about the security and accessibility of voting, which remains a divisive issue between the major parties.
As one of seven crucial battleground states, Georgia is expected to play a pivotal role in determining the election outcome. The heightened early voter turnout underscores the stakes of the upcoming election, with both parties vying for a decisive edge in this competitive landscape. With early voting off to a strong start, all eyes are on Georgia as voters make their voices heard ahead of Election Day.
