Honestly, if you live in Georgia, you know the drill by now. Every two years, the eyes of the entire country sort of pivot toward us, and suddenly your mailbox is stuffed with flyers you never asked for. But 2026 is shaping up to be a weird one—in a high-stakes kind of way. Between a term-limited governor’s seat and a massive U.S. Senate race, knowing exactly when is voting in Georgia isn't just a "good to know" thing; it's the difference between having a say and getting locked out by a deadline you forgot.
The Big Days: Mark These in Your Calendar
Let’s get the raw numbers out of the way first. You’ve basically got two major windows to worry about, plus the runoffs that—let’s be real—are almost a tradition in Georgia at this point.
The Primary Election is Tuesday, May 19, 2026.
This is where the parties pick their champions. If you’re a Republican, Democrat, or just want to vote in the nonpartisan judicial races, this is your first stop.
The General Election is Tuesday, November 3, 2026.
The big show. This is for the Senate, the Governor, and everyone else.
But wait. Runoffs. If nobody gets over 50%, we go back to the polls.
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- Primary Runoff: June 16, 2026.
- General Election Runoff: December 1, 2026.
I’ve seen people miss these because they think, "Oh, I already voted in November." Don’t be that person. December runoffs are where the real decisions often get finalized in this state.
Registration Deadlines (The Ones That Sneak Up)
You can't just show up on election day if you aren't in the system. Georgia doesn't have same-day registration. It’s a bummer, but that’s the law. Basically, you need to be registered at least 30 days before an election.
For the May Primary, your deadline is April 20, 2026.
For the November General Election, your deadline is October 5, 2026.
If you’ve moved recently—even just across town—you need to update your address. The Secretary of State’s "My Voter Page" is the gold standard for checking this. It’s better to check it now than to find out you're at the wrong precinct when you're standing in line at 6:45 PM.
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Early Voting: The Stress-Free Option
If you hate lines (who doesn’t?), early voting—or "advance voting"—is your best friend. In Georgia, we actually have a pretty generous window for this.
For the November election, early voting starts October 13, 2026, and runs through October 30, 2026.
Mandatory Saturday voting is also a thing. Most counties will have polls open on October 17 and October 24. Some even do Sundays, but that’s up to your specific county's election board. Check your local office for those specific Sunday hours.
Why 2026 is Such a Massive Deal
We aren't just voting for dogcatcher here.
Governor Brian Kemp is term-limited. He’s out. That means the Governor’s mansion is an open seat for the first time in eight years. You’ve got big names like Brad Raffensperger and Chris Carr already making moves on the GOP side, and the Democratic side is expected to be just as crowded.
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Then there’s Jon Ossoff. He’s up for re-election in the U.S. Senate. Since Georgia is a "purple" state now, expect every single ad break during the evening news to be filled with people yelling about his record. It’s going to be loud. It’s going to be expensive.
Absentee Ballots: No Excuse Needed
Georgia is a "no-excuse" absentee state. Sorta. You don't need a reason to ask for a mail-in ballot, but you do have to ask for one for every single election cycle now.
- Request early: You can start requesting your ballot for the general election as early as August 2026.
- The Deadline: Your request must be received by the county office by October 23, 2026.
- ID is required: You’ll need to provide your driver’s license number or a copy of a valid ID on the application.
Honestly, if you're going to mail it, do it early. The 2021 law (SB 202) tightened up the timelines, so waiting until the last minute is risky.
Actionable Next Steps for Georgia Voters
Instead of waiting for November to roll around, here is exactly what you should do right now to make sure you're ready:
- Check your status: Go to the GA My Voter Page and verify your registration is active and your address is 100% correct.
- Photo ID: Make sure your Georgia driver’s license or state ID isn't expired. You'll need it for in-person voting.
- Locate your precinct: Your voting location can change! Check the MVP site a week before you plan to vote to ensure your "regular" spot hasn't moved.
- Request mail-in ballots early: If you prefer voting from your kitchen table, set a reminder for August 17, 2026, to submit your application for the November election.