The Runoff Is Over. Now What?
A quick guide to reading the results and knowing what comes next. The days right after an election can feel noisy. Here is how to cut through it, understand what the results mean, and communicate clearly with your community.
Where Do You Find Official Results?
Before sharing or reacting to results, go to the state or county source.
- Georgia Secretary of State results: results.sos.ga.gov
- Your county elections office. Find yours here on our site.
- Ballotpedia: ballotpedia.org
- Associated Press: apnews.com/hub/elections
Are These Results Final?
Election night results are a starting point, not the finish line. Here are terms you may hear:
| Term | What It Means |
|---|---|
| Unofficial / Election Night | Ballots counted as of election night. Does not include all mail ballots, provisional ballots, or late-arriving ballots. Subject to change. |
| Canvass | The official review process where county officials reconcile all ballots, verify counts, and resolve discrepancies. |
| Certified Results | The final, legally official count after canvassing. This is the number that stands. |
| Recount | A candidate or party can request a recount if the margin is close. A recount does not change certified results unless it finds errors. |
| Runoff | Georgia requires a majority to win. If no candidate gets more than 50% of the vote, the top two advance to a runoff. For the November 3 general election, that runoff would be December 1, 2026. |
Georgia 2026 Runoff Certification Timeline
County returns are certified by 5 p.m. the Monday after the election and sent to the state.
The state certifies the results by 5 p.m. on the 17th day after the election.
Read the News Without Overreacting
These are the days when the most misleading information circulates. Four ways to stay grounded.
A headline that says “Party X Surges” or “Candidate Y in Trouble” is opinion. A headline with a specific vote count or a declared winner is closer to fact, but still verify it.
If only one outlet is reporting a result or a big takeaway, wait. If the Associated Press and local TV stations all say the same thing, it’s more likely accurate. The Secretary of State’s website is the final authority.
A 51% runoff win in a low-turnout primary reflects only a small population of voters. Turnout in primary runoffs is typically 10 to 20% of registered voters, less than that on each party’s ticket. The general election can tell a different story if turnout is higher.
A primary winner reflects the preferences of the voters who showed up for the primary and the runoff. It tells you who will be on the November ballot, not necessarily who will win.
What Numbers Matter Most?
Four metrics worth paying attention to.
Turnout
How many registered voters actually participated? A win means less when few people showed up to cast it.
Margins
A 20-point win is decisive. A 3-point win may be within recount range and will likely shift before certification. Watch absolute vote totals, not just percentages.
Voter Drop-Off
Compare how many people voted in the primary to how many voted in the runoff. High drop-off often means the runoff winner has a narrower base of support than the primary result suggests.
County Patterns
Urban, suburban, and rural counties often tell very different stories in the same race. A candidate who wins statewide may have lost your county or region, and that’s useful context for your community.
What’s Next in Georgia?
All 14 U.S. House seats, U.S. Senate, Governor, Lt. Governor, Secretary of State, Attorney General, all Georgia General Assembly seats (State Senate and State House), two Public Service Commission seats, and local offices.
Simple, nonpartisan language you can adapt for your networks.
We will be providing learning, toolkits, and resources so you can make the time between now and November another opportunity to inform and empower your community. Stay tuned.
Stay ready for November 3.
Find your county elections office for official results, or get election updates straight to your inbox.
Keep Going
The runoff points toward November. Here’s where to go next.
See every race and office being decided on November 3, and how the general-election ballot works.
Learn about the candidates and issues on your ballot, and judge voting guides for yourself.
Registration deadline is October 5. Get ready to vote in person, early, or by mail.