Georgia is posting record voter turnout for its first mandatory day of Saturday early voting.
As of Sunday morning, about 740,000 Georgia voters had cast a ballot during in-person early voting, with nearly 80,000 showing up on Saturday alone. Saturday turnout was 159% higher than day six of the 2018 Midterm Election early voting and beat turnout on day six of early voting in the 2020 presidential election by 20%, according to the Georgia Secretary of State’s office.
The trend has been building since early voting opened one week ago. Turnout on the first day of early voting last Monday was nearly twice that of the previous Midterm Election in 2018, while overall turnout so far has nearly matched turnout at the same point in early voting during the 2020 presidential election.
Each day of early voting this year has exceeded turnout daily by 50% or more over the previous Midterm Election.
“Early Voting is strong because Georgia’s Voter Registration system is strong,” said Georgia Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger. “Every eligible Georgian who wants to be registered to vote is registered to vote. Georgians have taken advantage of Automatic Voter Registration at the DDS, online, and kept up with their status on My Voter Page.”
Meanwhile, Georgia voters are reporting relative ease with casting their ballots. Reports of long lines were rare, with some lines in the metro areas reported. No substantial delays were reported over the weekend.
Early Voting turnout is expected to increase during the last week of early voting, and voters are encouraged to take advantage of this Saturday’s second mandatory early voting day, according to Raffensperger’s office.
To find early voting locations and hours, visit the Secretary of State’s My Voter Page.