Record Early Voting in Georgia Amid Political Campaign Rally

Georgia set a new record for first-day early voting in a midterm election, according to state officials. Vice President JD Vance visited to rally support for Senate GOP candidate Mike Collins. Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger reported over 188,600 voters went to the polls in person, a significant rise from more than 53,000 during the 2022 midterms. The trend of increasing early voting in the state continues to grow.

Raffensperger emphasized the significance of this turnout. “This record-breaking turnout proves that voters have confidence in the integrity of our elections,” he stated in a press release. Georgia’s election system, supervised by 159 county officials, was praised for its effectiveness.

The shift in voting patterns complicates predictions since both parties have embraced early voting. Previously dominated by Democrats, Republicans have increasingly used early and absentee voting since 2022. The recent TV debate between Mike Collins and Democratic incumbent Jon Ossoff adds further intrigue. Ossoff portrayed the debate as a judicial review of Collins, a former U.S. Representative. Newsweek contacted the campaigns of both candidates for comments.

Georgia’s political landscape remains competitive, with both U.S. Senate seats held by Democrats, while Republicans retain control of other statewide positions. The state’s election system continues to face scrutiny from former President Trump and Republican Party members.

Vance’s Visit to Georgia: Key Details

Vice President Vance arrived in Atlanta at Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport. Supporters greeted him with chants of “48!” His agenda was not immediately clear. Vance and President Donald Trump have been campaigning nationwide to support Republican candidates.

Previously, Vance spoke at an event in Tyler, Texas, supporting Attorney General Ken Paxton’s Senate ambitions. He criticized Democratic candidate James Talarico and announced a deal with Delek Refinery in Tyler under the Defense Production Act.

Early Voting Records in Georgia

In 2022, Raffensperger’s office noted 134,962 early votes were cast on the first day. The 2026 figures reflect a 40% increase. This trend grows from the 70,849 who voted early in 2018. The COVID-19 pandemic accelerated the shift to early and mail voting, with over 4 million early votes in 2020 and a similar high number in 2024.

Georgia provides at least 17 days for early in-person voting, one of the longest periods in the U.S. This accessibility has contributed to a larger proportion of votes being cast in advance of Election Day.

This report is part of ongoing coverage. Updates will be provided as more information becomes available.