Georgia Voters: Here Are the Important Dates and Races You Need to Know Before the November Election

Election Day is getting closer, and Georgia voters have several major decisions to make in 2026.

From Georgia’s next governor to a nationally watched U.S. Senate race, congressional seats and state offices that affect everything from elections to education, voters across Metro Atlanta will have a packed ballot when they head to the polls on Tuesday, November 3, 2026.

Before Election Day arrives, however, there are several important deadlines Georgia voters need to know.

Mark Your Calendar: Important Georgia Voting Dates

The first major deadline is October 5, the last day to register to vote or update your address for the November general election. Early voting begins Tuesday, October 13 and continues through Friday, October 30. Georgia requires Saturday early voting on October 17 and October 24, while counties may also offer Sunday voting.

October 5 — Voter registration deadline
October 13 — Early voting begins
October 17 — Mandatory Saturday early voting
October 23 — Deadline for county election offices to receive absentee-ballot applications
October 24 — Mandatory Saturday early voting
October 30 — Last day of early voting
November 3 — Election Day
December 1 — General election runoff, if needed

Voters should remember that early-voting locations and hours vary by county. During early voting, you may vote at any early-voting location within the county where you’re registered. On Election Day, however, you must report to your assigned polling place.

First Things First: Make Sure You’re Registered

Even if you’ve voted before, it’s a good idea to check your registration before the October 5 deadline — especially if you’ve recently moved or changed your name.

Georgia’s My Voter Page allows voters to check their registration status, find their Election Day precinct and early-voting locations, see elected officials and access a sample ballot.

Check your registration on Georgia's My Voter Page⁠

Sample ballots for the November election are scheduled to become available beginning September 19, making it easier to research your individual races before voting begins.

What’s on the Ballot in Georgia?

This isn’t a presidential election, but Georgia voters will still be deciding who holds some of the most powerful offices in state and federal government.

Statewide, voters will choose a U.S. senator, governor, lieutenant governor, secretary of state, attorney general, agriculture commissioner, insurance commissioner, labor commissioner and state school superintendent, among other offices. All 14 of Georgia’s U.S. House seats and all seats in the Georgia General Assembly are also up for election. Judicial and local contests will appear on ballots depending on where voters live.

Georgia Governor: Keisha Lance Bottoms vs. Rick Jackson

One of the biggest races on the ballot will determine Georgia’s next governor.

Republican Gov. Brian Kemp cannot seek another consecutive term because of term limits, leaving the governor’s office open. Former Atlanta Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms, the Democratic nominee, will face Republican businessman Rick Jackson, who won the Republican primary runoff.

For Metro Atlanta voters, Bottoms is an especially familiar name. She served as mayor of Atlanta from 2018 to 2022 before later serving as a senior adviser in the Biden administration.

U.S. Senate: Jon Ossoff vs. Mike Collins

Georgia is also home to one of the country’s most closely watched U.S. Senate races.

Democratic incumbent Sen. Jon Ossoff is seeking a second term and faces Republican U.S. Rep. Mike Collins. The contest is receiving national attention because its outcome could play a role in determining control of the U.S. Senate.

Lieutenant Governor: Josh McLaurin vs. Greg Dolezal

Georgia will also elect a new lieutenant governor.

Democratic State Sen. Josh McLaurin faces Republican State Sen. Greg Dolezal. The lieutenant governor presides over the Georgia Senate and can play a significant role in determining which legislation moves through the chamber.

Secretary of State: Penny Brown Reynolds vs. Tim Fleming

Another office voters may want to pay particular attention to is Secretary of State.

Democrat Penny Brown Reynolds faces Republican Tim Fleming. The office has numerous responsibilities, but one of its most visible is overseeing Georgia’s elections.

Attorney General: Tanya Miller vs. Brian Strickland

The race to become Georgia’s next attorney general is also an open-seat contest. Democrat Tanya Miller faces Republican Brian Strickland.

Georgia’s attorney general serves as the state’s chief legal officer, representing Georgia in legal matters and overseeing areas including consumer protection and certain criminal prosecutions.

Georgia State School Superintendent

Education will also be on the ballot.

Democrat Lydia Powell is challenging Republican incumbent Richard Woods, who is seeking another term as Georgia’s State School Superintendent.

The superintendent leads the Georgia Department of Education, making this an important race for parents, teachers and families with children in Georgia’s public schools.

Congressional Races to Watch Around Metro Atlanta

Your congressional race will depend on where you live.

Several districts covering Metro Atlanta are on the November ballot:

District 4: Democratic incumbent Hank Johnson vs. Republican Jim Duffie.

District 5: Democratic incumbent Nikema Williams vs. Republican John “Bongo” Salvesen. District 5 includes much of the city of Atlanta.

District 6: Democratic incumbent Lucy McBath vs. Republican Kevin E. Martin.

District 7: Democratic challenger Tony Kozycki vs. Republican incumbent Rich McCormick.

District 10: Democrat Pamela Delancy vs. Republican Houston Gaines for an open seat.

District 11: Democrat Chris Harden vs. Republican John Cowan for another open congressional seat.

District 13: Democrat Jasmine Clark vs. Republican Jonathan Chavez for the open seat previously held by the late Congressman David Scott.

Because congressional district boundaries don’t line up neatly with county or city boundaries, voters should not assume they know their district based solely on where they live. Check your individual ballot through Georgia’s My Voter Page.

Don’t Forget About State and Local Races

The races at the top of the ballot aren’t the only ones that matter.

All seats in the Georgia House and Georgia Senate are up for election, and depending on where you live, your ballot may also contain judicial contests and races for positions such as sheriff, district attorney and school board, along with local questions or referendums.

That means a voter in Atlanta may see a different ballot from someone in Decatur, South Fulton, Marietta, Stone Mountain, Lawrenceville or Jonesboro.

Check your sample ballot before you vote. It gives you time to research races farther down the ballot instead of seeing the names for the first time inside the voting booth.

Planning to Vote Absentee? Don’t Wait Until October 23

Georgia voters do not need a specific reason to vote absentee.

An absentee-ballot application can be submitted online or by mail, but the county election office must receive the request by October 23 for the November 3 election.

And there’s an important distinction:

October 23 is the deadline to REQUEST your absentee ballot — not the deadline to return it.

Once you receive and complete your absentee ballot, it must generally be received by your county registrar by 7 p.m. on Election Day to count. Ballots can be returned by mail, and Georgia also permits returns through authorized drop boxes during applicable early-voting hours or directly to the county registrar.

If you’re voting by mail, don’t treat November 3 as a mailing deadline. Give your ballot enough time to actually reach the county election office.

Georgia absentee voting information and application⁠

What Do You Need to Bring to Vote?

Georgia requires photo identification when voting in person.

Acceptable identification includes a Georgia driver’s license — even if expired — a valid Georgia voter ID card or other state/federal government-issued photo ID, a valid U.S. passport, certain employee photo IDs, a valid U.S. military photo ID or a valid tribal photo ID.

Georgia also provides free voter ID cards through county registrar offices for eligible voters who don’t have another acceptable form of identification.

What Time Are the Polls Open?

On Tuesday, November 3, Georgia polls will be open from:

7 a.m. until 7 p.m.

And this is important: If you are in line by 7 p.m., stay in line. You are still allowed to vote.

Unlike early voting, Election Day voters must go to their assigned precinct.

What If There’s a Problem When You Try to Vote?

If election workers cannot immediately verify your eligibility, Georgia voters may have the right to cast a provisional ballot.

The voter then has up to three days after Election Day to resolve applicable eligibility issues with the county registrar so the ballot can be counted.

Voters experiencing problems can contact their county elections office or the Georgia Secretary of State Elections Division at 404-656-2871 in Metro Atlanta or 877-725-9797 toll-free.

Don’t Wait Until November 3 to Get Election Ready

Whether you plan to vote early, absentee or on Election Day, now is the time to make your plan.

Check your registration. Know your district. Look at your sample ballot. Research the candidates. Decide when and where you’re voting.

The dates to remember are simple:

REGISTER by October 5.
VOTE EARLY October 13–30.
REQUEST YOUR ABSENTEE BALLOT by October 23.
ELECTION DAY is November 3.

Georgia Secretary of State — November 3, 2026 General Election information⁠

And remember: your exact ballot depends on where you’re registered, so Metro Atlanta voters should use the state’s My Voter Page to see their own candidates, polling place and sample ballot before heading to the polls.

V-103 will continue to keep Metro Atlanta informed as Election Day approaches.