---
title: "Georgians Cast Nearly 730,000 Ballots"
url: https://www.hereaugusta.com/2026/10/18/georgia-early-voting-nears-730000-first-five-days/
date: 2026-10-18T10:00:45-04:00
modified: 2026-10-18T10:00:45-04:00
author: "HERE City State Desk"
categories: ["Politics"]
site: "HERE Augusta"
attribution: "HERE Augusta"
---

# Georgians Cast Nearly 730,000 Ballots

> ATLANTA, Ga. — Georgia voters are turning out at a record clip for the 2026 midterms, with close to 730,000 ballots already cast by midday Saturday, the fifth day of early voting, according to figures posted by the secretary of state. The pace was set on opening day. Voters cast 188,667 in-person ballots on Tuesday,

*Source: [HERE Augusta](https://www.hereaugusta.com/2026/10/18/georgia-early-voting-nears-730000-first-five-days/) — October 18, 2026 by HERE City State Desk*

ATLANTA, Ga. — Georgia voters are turning out at a record clip for the 2026 midterms, with close to 730,000 ballots already cast by midday Saturday, the fifth day of early voting, according to figures posted by the secretary of state.

The pace was set on opening day. Voters cast 188,667 in-person ballots on Tuesday, Oct. 13, a midterm record and 53,705 more than the first day of early voting in 2022, an increase of about 40 percent. Four years before that, in 2018, the first-day count was 70,849.

Mail voting is adding to the total as well, with 10,267 absentee ballots accepted as of that first-day report. Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger said in a statement that the record turnout shows voters trust the state election system and credited county election officials across all 159 counties.

Saturday was the first weekend chance to vote early, and one more Saturday session is on the calendar for Oct. 24. Early voting ends Oct. 30.

During early voting, Georgians can cast a ballot at any early voting site in their home county. That flexibility ends on Nov. 3, when each voter has to show up at the precinct printed on their registration. Locations and hours for each county are listed on the state My Voter Page, and updated turnout numbers are posted on the secretary of state election data hub.

The ballot is crowded at the top, with races for U.S. Senate and governor drawing heavy campaigning across the state in the final weeks. President Donald Trump rallied Friday at Dalton Municipal Airport for Republican Senate nominee Mike Collins and governor nominee Rick Jackson, while Democrats Jon Ossoff and Keisha Lance Bottoms planned a joint Saturday appearance in Cobb County.