Georgia Voters Decide Senate, Governor Races as Absentee Deadline Hits

Georgia polls opened at 7 a.m. Tuesday, Nov. 3, for the 2026 midterm elections, with voters headed to the ballot box to settle contests for U.S. Senate, governor, attorney general, and Congress. The day marks the final step in a campaign that pitted Democratic incumbent Jon Ossoff against Republican U.S. Rep. Mike Collins in the state's most watched Senate race. Simultaneously, voters chose a replacement for outgoing Governor Brian Kemp, with former Atlanta Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms facing Republican businessman Rick Jackson.

The timeline for this election cycle stretched over several weeks of preparation and early voting. Absentee ballot drop boxes closed on Oct. 30, marking the end of designated early voting hours. Today, Nov. 3, serves as the final deadline for those who received mail-in ballots. County election offices must receive completed absentee ballots by 7 p.m. for them to be counted. A postmark date is no longer sufficient to validate these ballots, meaning physical delivery or receipt is required before the clock strikes seven.

Voters who requested an absentee ballot but have not yet returned it retain the option to vote in person today. Election officials can cancel the pending absentee ballot at the polling site, allowing the voter to cast a ballot at their assigned location. This process requires coordination with poll workers to ensure the mail-in ballot is not double-counted. Military and overseas voters operate under distinct rules and deadlines that may differ from the standard 7 p.m. cutoff for domestic ballots.

Identification requirements remain strict for in-person voting. Residents must present an acceptable form of photo identification to cast a standard ballot. Accepted forms include a Georgia driver's license, even if expired, a valid U.S. passport, a Georgia voter ID card, and specific government-issued, military, or tribal photo IDs. Those lacking an acceptable ID can cast a provisional ballot, provided they submit the required identification to their county election office within the state's deadline to have the vote counted. A free voter ID card is available from any county registrar's office.

Polling locations across the state remain open until 7 p.m. today. Any voter in line by that hour will be permitted to cast a ballot, regardless of whether they have reached the voting booth when polls close. Voters must cast their ballots at their assigned polling location for Election Day, which may differ from the sites used during early voting. The Georgia Secretary of State's My Voter Page allows residents to confirm their specific polling place and check their registration status before arriving.

The lieutenant governor's race pits Democrat Josh McLaurin against Republican Greg Dolezal. Other statewide contests include races for attorney general and secretary of state. These races, alongside the congressional seats up for election, complete the slate of key positions Georgia voters are deciding today. The outcome of the Senate and gubernatorial contests will determine the balance of power in state and federal leadership for the next term.