Georgia Early Voting Record: 188K Ballots on Day One

The Georgia early voting record fell on the first day of in-person balloting, with more than 188,600 Georgians casting votes Tuesday — a 40 percent jump over the 134,962 first-day ballots in the 2022 midterms and more than double the 2018 figure.

Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger said the surge proves voters have confidence in the integrity of the state’s elections, crediting county election officials across Georgia’s 159 counties. Another 10,267 absentee ballots had been accepted, pushing total early turnout near 200,000 by the second day. Early voting runs through October 30, with Election Day on November 3.

Trump and Vance Hit the Trail

The record turnout comes as both parties flood the state. President Trump holds a midterm rally Friday at Dalton Municipal Airport in north Georgia, with doors opening at 11:30 a.m. and remarks set for 3 p.m. Senate nominee Mike Collins and gubernatorial candidate Rick Jackson are expected to join him. It is Trump’s third Georgia visit of the year.

Vice President JD Vance also visited Georgia this week to boost Republican candidates as the first week of early voting got underway.

Debates Put Races in Focus

The Atlanta Press Club’s debate series put the marquee contests on stage early in the week. Democratic Senator Jon Ossoff and Republican challenger Mike Collins clashed in their Senate debate, with election integrity emerging as a central theme. Ossoff has consistently led in polling for the seat.

The governor’s race to succeed term-limited Brian Kemp looks tighter: Republican Rick Jackson holds a narrow two-point edge in the polling average over Democrat Keisha Lance Bottoms, the former Atlanta mayor.

Source: CBS News