Georgia voters turned out in record numbers Tuesday, October 13, as advance voting began for the November 3 general election, setting a new first-day turnout record for a midterm election.
According to figures released Wednesday by the Georgia Secretary of State’s Office, 188,667 Georgians cast their ballots in person on the opening day of early voting.
That represents an increase of 53,705 voters, or approximately 40%, compared with the first day of early voting during the 2022 midterm election, when 134,962 ballots were cast.
The increase is even more substantial compared with the 2018 midterm election, when 70,849 Georgians voted in person on the opening day.
In addition to the in-person turnout, state officials reported that 10,267 absentee ballots had been accepted, bringing the combined total of accepted absentee ballots and first-day in-person votes to 198,934.
Georgia Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger welcomed the turnout, pointing to the participation as a sign of voter confidence in Georgia’s election system. While the figures establish a new opening-day record for a Georgia midterm election, they represent only the beginning of the early voting period. Statewide turnout totals will continue to increase as additional ballots are cast.
Jeff Davis County residents can now cast their ballots ahead of the November 3 general election. According to the Jeff Davis County Board of Elections and Registrars, advance in-person voting began Tuesday, October 13, and will continue through Friday, October 30, 2026.
All advance voting will take place at the Jeff Davis County Board of Elections and Registrars Office, located at 15 Public Safety Drive in Hazlehurst, in the former Sheriff’s Office building.
Advance voting hours are as follows:
- Monday–Friday, October 13–30: 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
- Saturday, October 17: 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
- Saturday, October 24: 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
There will be no advance voting on Sundays. Voters may visit the advance voting location during the designated hours without needing to vote at their regular Election Day precinct.
Election Day is Tuesday, November 3, 2026. Polls across Georgia will be open from 7:00 a.m. until 7:00 p.m. Unlike advance voting, voters casting ballots on Election Day must report to their assigned polling precinct.
The general election includes races for federal and statewide offices, including U.S. Senate, governor, and other statewide constitutional offices, as well as legislative and applicable local contests.
Voters are required to present an acceptable form of photo identification when casting their ballots.
Jeff Davis County election officials are encouraging residents to review their sample ballots and become familiar with the races and questions that will appear on the ballot. Sample ballots, voter registration information, and assigned Election Day polling locations can be found through the Georgia Secretary of State’s My Voter Page at:
With record participation already reported across the state, the coming weeks will provide a clearer picture of voter turnout leading up to the November 3 election.
Sources: Georgia Secretary of State’s Office, October 14, 2026, early voting turnout announcement; Jeff Davis County Board of Elections and Registrars official voting information.
