A primary election is how each political party chooses its candidate for the November general election. Think of it as the opening round — the field of candidates narrows down to one nominee per party before the general election vote.

• Georgia is an open primary state — voters do not register with a party. You choose which party's ballot you want when you arrive at the polls: Republican, Democratic, or Nonpartisan
• Your ballot choice can be different every primary — there is no loyalty or lock-in from previous elections
• All parties hold their primaries jointly on the same day, at the same polling places
• To win outright, a candidate must receive a majority of votes cast — more than 50%. If no candidate clears that threshold, the top two advance to a runoff
• The Georgia primary is the only election that determines who appears on the November ballot. In many districts where one party dominates, winning the primary is effectively winning the seat

A primary runoff happens when no candidate in a primary race received more than 50% of the vote. The top two finishers face off again — head to head, winner take all. The runoff is where May Matters focuses its energy, because it's the election most people don't know is coming.

• Only races where no candidate received a majority in the primary go to a runoff — not every race
• The runoff is a continuation of the primary — the same rules apply for which party's runoff you vote in
• If you voted in the May 19 primary, you vote in that same party's runoff. If you voted Republican, you vote in the Republican runoff. Same for Democratic
• If you skipped the primary, you can choose either party's runoff ballot on June 16
• Runoff turnout typically drops significantly from the primary — making each individual vote carry considerably more weight

The general election is the one most people think of when they hear "Election Day." It's where party nominees — along with any independent or third-party candidates — face each other to decide who actually holds public office. Unlike the primary, everyone votes on the same ballot.

• All registered voters participate — there is no party ballot to choose in a general election. Everyone sees the same ballot
• Decides federal, statewide, and most local offices
• May also include ballot measures, constitutional amendments, SPLOST questions, and local propositions
• To win a general election in Georgia, a candidate must also receive a majority of votes cast — not just a plurality. If no candidate reaches 50%, a general election runoff is held
• Typically draws the highest turnout of any election cycle — but by this point, the primary has already determined who your choices are

A special election is called outside the regular election calendar to fill a vacant seat or decide a specific question — typically triggered by a resignation, death in office, or a ballot measure that can't wait until a regularly scheduled election.

• Used to fill vacancies caused by a death, resignation, or failure of an official to qualify or take office
• Can also be used for referendum questions — like a local sales tax or bond measure — that arise outside the regular election schedule
• For a U.S. House vacancy, the Governor must issue a writ of election to the Secretary of State within 10 days of the vacancy; the election must be held no fewer than 30 days after issuance
• County and municipal special elections can only be held on specific dates set by Georgia law — not at any arbitrary time
• Special elections typically have very low turnout, making individual votes carry even more weight than in a regular primary
• If no candidate wins a majority, the top two advance to a special election runoff

The Presidential Preference Primary (PPP) is a separate election held in presidential election years to determine which presidential candidate each party will support. It is distinct from the general primary held in May.

• Only held in presidential election years — not in 2026
• The date is set by the Secretary of State, typically in early March of the presidential election year
• Like the general primary, voters choose which party's ballot they want — Republican or Democratic — when they arrive. Georgia does not require party registration
• Results determine how Georgia's delegates are allocated to presidential candidates at each party's national convention
• The PPP is separate from the May general primary — offices like Governor and U.S. Senate are not on the PPP ballot

Some Georgia elections are nonpartisan — meaning candidates do not run under a party label and all voters see the same ballot regardless of which primary ballot they chose. Judicial elections are the most prominent example.

• Georgia Supreme Court and Court of Appeals races are nonpartisan general elections held on the May primary date — every registered voter votes on these regardless of which party ballot they chose
• Many local races — including some school board seats and municipal offices — are also conducted as nonpartisan elections
• If you choose a Nonpartisan ballot in the primary, you will only see these nonpartisan offices plus any referendum questions — no Republican or Democratic candidate races will appear
• Nonpartisan races still require a majority to win. If no candidate clears 50%, the top two advance to a runoff