Early voting begins Tuesday in Georgia’s nationally watched 2026 midterm elections
ATLANTA, Ga. (Atlanta News First) — Early voting begins Tuesday in a midterm that will elect a new governor, lieutenant governor, secretary of state and attorney general, as well as possibly determine which political party will control the U.S. Senate for the next two years.
Georgia 2026 midterm elections are among the most watched in the nation, as U.S. Sen. Jon Ossoff is facing a reelection challenge from Republican U.S. Rep. Mike Collins. The two candidates met last week in their first televised statewide debate, an event hosted by Atlanta News First and broadcast statewide across all Gray Media stations.
All 14 Georgia congressional seats are also on the ballot, including four open seats.
The midterm’s other marquee race is an open gubernatorial contest between Republican Rick Jackson and Democrat Keisha Lance Bottoms. Both candidates also met for their first - and only - debate last week in a town hall hosted Atlanta News First and broadcast statewide across all Gray Media statewide.
“Make your plan now, pick a day,” Jackson told a group of supporters at an Atlanta rally on Monday. “Don’t leave your vote to chance on Election Day.”
Lt. Gov. Burt Jones, Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger and Attorney General Chris Carr all launched ultimately unsuccessful bids for governor this year, meaning all three of their offices are also open races.
All other constitutional officers are also on the ballot, as are all 180 state House seats and 56 state Senate seats.
This year, the November midterms in Georgia are shrouded in some controversy. Last month, the Executive Director of the Georgia State Elections Board sent letters to the U.S. Departments of Justice and Homeland Security, requesting “intervention” in Georgia’s midterms, citing issues with the state’s tabulator machines and processes. It split the board’s members 3-2 in a September vote.
“I’m all for utilizing avenues to make sure that we’re protecting our sacred right,” said board member Janelle King, who supported the letters.
“I am curious about the timing of the issue myself,” said board chairman John Fervier. “These machines have been in place since 2019, 2020.”
How to check your Georgia voter status
1. Go to the State Portal at the Georgia Secretary of State’s My Voter Page at mvp.sos.ga.gov and log in with your name, county, and birthdate, or your driver’s license number.
2. Verify your details.
- Status: Confirm you are listed as active. (If listed as inactive, you can still vote; casting a ballot or updating your info will return you to active status).
- Address and county: Make sure your listed address is where you currently live.
- Election day precinct: Check your assigned neighborhood polling place. Early voting locations are often different from your election day precinct.
- Sample ballot: Download your precinct-specific sample ballot to see candidates and measures before you vote.
3. Update if needed. If you have moved, changed your name, or aren’t registered, submit an update online through MVP using a valid Georgia driver’s license or state ID, or contact your county registrar’s office directly before the registration deadline.
Atlanta News First and Atlanta News First+ provide you with the latest news, headlines and insights as Georgia continues its role at the forefront of the nation’s political scene. Download our Atlanta News First app for the latest political news and information.
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