Early Voting For GA Primary 2026 Begins: What To Know

Early voters on Monday are heading to the polls to choose their candidates for the May primary, selecting Georgia's top official among other leaders.

Monday marked the first day of early voting, which is set to end on May 15. Election Day for the primary will be held on May 19.

With Gov. Brian Kemp serving a final term, the race to replace him has attracted several hopefuls.

Notable gubernatorial contenders include Geoff Duncan, former Atlanta mayor and White House aide Keisha Lance Bottoms, former DeKalb County CEO Michael Thurmond, Lt. Gov. Burt Jones, State Secretary Brad Raffensper and Attorney General Chris Carr.

While Republicans have flooded the state with nearly $100 million in advertising, Democrats have spent only $1.24 million. Most observers believe no Democrat will win a majority in the rapidly approaching primary, prolonging the party's uncertainty.

Georgia voters will additionally choose whether or not U.S. Sen. Jon Ossoff will retain his seat in Congress. The sole Democrat, he faces few opponents, including: business owner Mike Collins, Georgia First champion Derek Dooley and Georgia-based U.S. Rep. Earl "Buddy" Carter.

Newly-sworn U.S. Rep. Clay Fuller, R-GA, was elected this month to serve out the remainder of former U.S. Rep.'s Marjorie Taylor Greene's term after her resignation; but, to earn a full two-year term, Fuller must first make it past the May primary and the November general election.

Georgia voters can check the Secretary of State's website for races on the ballot in their city.

Early voters can cast ballots Monday-Friday and on the second and third Saturdays before Election Day.

Some polling places will also be open on the second and third Sundays, but election officials say voters should verify specific dates and polling hours with their early voting precincts.

RELATED:

• When Early Voting Begins For GA Primary Election
• Trump Ally Wins GA House Seat Formerly Held By Marjorie Taylor Greene

Generally, polling places are open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. during the week and from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturdays during early voting.

The last day to register to vote in the Georgia primary was April 20.

Registered voters can request absentee ballot applications, which are being accepted until May 8.

Voters have several options to request absentee ballots and for returning the completed ballots.

Absentee ballots need to be returned before polls close on Election Day to be counted.

On Election Day, polling places will be open from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. According to the Secretary of State's office, as long as people are in line by 7 p.m., they will be allowed to vote.

Voters should go to the My Voter Page to determine that they are eligible to vote and to find their polling place and early voting locations. Voters can also confirm their addresses are up to date and view sample ballots.

If there is a runoff election, it will be held on June 16. Absentee ballot applications will be accepted through June 5.

Georgia's law requires photo ID while voting — either in-person or absentee.

The following identifications are accepted for voting, according to the Secretary of State's office:

• Any valid state or federal government-issued photo ID, including a free ID issued by your county registrar's office or the Georgia Department of Driver Services
• A Georgia driver's license, even if expired
• Student ID from a Georgia public college or university
• Valid employee photo ID from any branch, department, agency, or entity of the U.S. Government, Georgia, or any county, municipality, board, authority or other entity of this state
• Valid U.S. passport ID
• Valid U.S. military photo ID containing a photograph of the voter
• Valid tribal photo ID containing a photograph of the voter

More information on voting ID requirements, including for absentee ballots, can be found here.

Read more information on voting in Georgia here.

The Associated Press contributed writing and reporting.