Look, trying to keep track of election dates in Georgia feels like a full-time job lately. Between the legislative overhauls and the constant chatter on the news, it’s easy to get turned around. But if you’re trying to figure out exactly when does early voting start in Georgia for the 2026 cycle, there is a very specific rhythm to it.
Georgia doesn't just pick a random day. The law actually mandates that advance in-person voting must begin on the fourth Monday before a primary or general election.
For the 2026 General Primary, that means doors open on April 27, 2026.
For the big one—the 2026 General Election—mark your calendar for October 13, 2026.
That’s the basic "when," but the "how" has changed quite a bit since the 2020 cycle. If you haven't voted in a couple of years, some of the old habits you had might not work anymore.
The 2026 Georgia Voting Calendar at a Glance
Honestly, the schedule is pretty packed. We aren't just looking at one Tuesday in November. Georgia runs on a system of primaries, nonpartisan elections, and the almost-inevitable runoffs.
Here is how the early voting (or "advance voting") windows break down for the year:
- March Special Election: Early voting runs from February 23 to March 13, 2026.
- General Primary/Nonpartisan Election: You can head to the polls starting April 27 through May 15, 2026.
- General Election (The Midterms): Advance voting starts October 13 and wraps up October 30, 2026.
Wait, did you notice the October start date is a Tuesday? That’s because October 12 is Columbus Day/Indigenous Peoples' Day. When a state holiday hits on that "fourth Monday," the start date just slides to the next day.
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Why Saturdays (and Maybe Sundays) Matter Now
One of the biggest points of contention in recent years was weekend voting.
Under current Georgia law, specifically following the passage of SB 202, every single county in the state must offer two Saturdays of early voting. This is huge for people working the standard 9-to-5 grind. For the November 2026 election, those mandatory Saturdays will fall on October 17 and October 24.
Sundays are a different story.
Counties have the option to open on Sundays, but they don't have to. If you live in a larger metro area like Fulton, DeKalb, or Gwinnett, there’s a much higher chance you’ll see Sunday hours. If you’re in a more rural spot, it’s a toss-up. You basically have to check your specific county’s elections website a few weeks before the window opens to see if they’re doing "Souls to the Polls" events or just sticking to the minimum requirements.
The Runoff Crunch: A Shorter Window
If you remember the 2022 midterms, the runoff period felt like a sprint. That’s because it was.
In Georgia, if no candidate gets more than 50% of the vote, we head to a runoff four weeks later. The catch? The early voting window for runoffs is significantly shorter than for the general election.
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For the December 1, 2026 runoff, early voting is required to start "as soon as possible" but no later than the Monday before the election. Usually, this ends up being a 5-day window. It’s tight. If you’re planning to be out of town or have a busy week, that five-day window is your only shot before the final Tuesday.
What You Need to Bring (Don't Forget the ID)
I’ve seen people get all the way to the front of the line only to realize they left their wallet in the car.
Georgia is a "strict photo ID" state. You can't just show a utility bill or a bank statement. You need a government-issued photo ID. Most people use their Georgia Driver’s License (even if it’s expired, as long as it hasn't been expired for too long—usually since the last general election).
Other acceptable IDs include:
- A valid Georgia voter identification card.
- A valid U.S. passport.
- A valid U.S. military photo ID.
- A valid tribal photo ID.
- A government employee photo ID.
If you don’t have any of these, you can actually get a free Georgia Voter ID card at any County Board of Elections office or Department of Driver Services.
The "Anywhere in the County" Rule
This is the best part of early voting.
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On Election Day (November 3), you are legally tethered to your specific precinct. If you go to the wrong church basement or community center, they’ll tell you to leave and go to your "home" poll.
During the early voting period, though? You can go to any designated early voting site in your county of residence. If you live in Cobb County but work near a different polling site ten miles away, you can pop in there during your lunch break as long as it’s still within Cobb.
Drop Boxes: They Aren't Where They Used to Be
This is where a lot of people get tripped up.
In 2020, drop boxes were everywhere—outside, 24/7, bolted to the sidewalk. That has changed. Now, drop boxes must be located inside early voting locations. They are also only available during the actual hours that early voting is happening.
Once early voting ends (the Friday before the election), the drop boxes are locked. You can't use them on the Saturday, Sunday, or Monday before Election Day. If you have an absentee ballot in your hand on the Monday before the election, your best bet is to hand-deliver it to the main county elections office.
Practical Steps to Prepare for 2026
- Check your status early: Go to the Georgia My Voter Page (MVP). Do it now. Don't wait until October. If you moved or changed your name, the deadline to register for the General Election is October 5, 2026.
- Verify your county hours: While the start dates are statewide, the hours can vary. Some counties stay open until 7:00 PM; others shut down at 5:00 PM sharp.
- Plan for the weather: Georgia in late October can be 80 degrees or 45 degrees. If you're voting in a high-turnout area, expect a line. Bring water (though remember, there are specific rules about people handing out food/water within 150 feet of the building).
- Download a sample ballot: The MVP portal lets you see exactly what your ballot will look like. This saves a massive amount of time behind the curtain, especially with those long-winded constitutional amendments that are written in confusing legalese.
The 2026 cycle is going to be a big one for Georgia, with the Governor's seat and several high-profile state offices on the line. Knowing that early voting starts in Georgia on October 13 gives you a massive head start on avoiding the November 3 madness.