By Georgia election officials reported a record-breaking turnout as early voting began for the November 5 presidential election, pitting Democratic incumbent Kamala Harris against Republican challenger Donald Trump. The surge in early voting underscores Georgia’s critical role as a battleground state in the upcoming election.
Gabriel Sterling, Georgia’s second-highest ranking election official, announced that at least 252,000 voters had cast their ballots at early-voting sites by 4 p.m. EDT (2000 GMT) on the first day. This figure nearly doubles the 136,000 who participated in the first day of early voting during the 2020 election. Sterling characterized the turnout as “spectacular” in a social media post.
The dramatic increase in early voting reflects a growing trend in U.S. elections. According to the University of Florida’s Election Lab, nearly one in seven voters cast their ballots ahead of Election Day in 2020. However, this year’s early voting numbers are still below the 2020 levels, when the COVID-19 pandemic drove many voters to avoid crowded polling places on Election Day.
Nationwide, approximately 5.5 million Americans have already voted this year, as reported by the Election Lab. This contrasts with the 27 million people who had cast their ballots at the same point in the 2020 election cycle.
The robust early turnout in Georgia comes despite changes in the state’s voting laws since 2020. New regulations require voters requesting absentee ballots to provide proof of identity and have limited the number of ballot drop-off locations. These changes were implemented following Republican-led efforts to tighten voting rules in several states.
The issue of early voting, particularly mail-in voting, remains contentious. Many Republicans, including former President Trump, have opposed the expansion of mail voting, citing concerns about security. Trump’s false claims of mail ballot fraud in the 2020 election continue to influence the party’s stance on voting methods.
Despite these concerns, some Republican officials are now encouraging supporters to take advantage of early voting options, recognizing their strategic importance in a closely contested election.
Georgia’s significance in the 2024 presidential race cannot be overstated. It is one of seven competitive battleground states expected to play a decisive role in determining the outcome of the election. The high early turnout suggests intense voter engagement and sets the stage for what could be a closely watched and fiercely contested battle in the Peach State.
As early voting continues, both the Harris and Trump campaigns are likely to intensify their efforts in Georgia, recognizing the state’s potential to tip the balance in what is shaping up to be another highly competitive presidential election.
