VOTING MADE SIMPLE • NOVEMBER 3, 2026

WHY MIDTERMS MATTER

The president isn’t on the ballot in a midterm, but a lot still is. Voters choose federal, state and local leaders and may also vote on amendments and propositions. Georgia voters will make decisions that affect schools, taxes, health care, public safety, and the services you use every day.

Georgia Matters is Nonpartisan
We don't support or oppose any candidate, party, or political position. Our only goal is to help more Georgians show up informed and prepared.

13%

YOUR PEOPLE LISTEN TO YOU

Voters contacted by someone they personally know are up to 13 percentage points more likely to vote than those reached by a stranger or campaign volunteer.

Georgia 2026 Election Process

STEP 1

Primary Election - May 19, 2026

Multiple candidates compete within each party. To win outright, a candidate needs more than 50% of the vote. If nobody clears that bar, the top two move on.

STEP 2

primary runoff - June 16, 2026

If no candidate receives 50% or more of the vote, the top two candidates face off in a runoff election.

STEP 3

General election - nov 3, 2026

Primary winners face off in the general election, and every registered Georgian voter can weigh in, no matter which primary ballot you chose. The person with the most votes wins and becomes the elected official who represents you. This is the election that decides who holds office.

Flowchart illustrating a political election process with candidates Brad Rattensperger, Burt Jones, Rick Jackson, and Jason Esteves, along with their party affiliations and election results.

WHY THE WHOLE BALLOT COUNTS

Most people think of an election as one big race at the top. But your November ballot is long, and it keeps going well past the headline contests, all the way down to the local offices closest to home.

Why does the bottom of the ballot matter?
Voters fill in the big races at the top and quit before the end. It even has a name: roll off. But the offices at the bottom, your judges, your county leaders, your school board, run your schools, your roads, and your taxes. Skip them and you let someone else decide. Your ballot is not done until you reach the bottom.

A man in a dark shirt votes at a polling station, with an American flag sticker on the voting booth that says "VOTE". Other voters can be seen in the background.

Who can vote in the MIDTERM?

The midterm election is open to every registered Georgian voter, no matter what you did in the primary. There are no party ballots and no separate lanes. If you are registered, you get to vote in every race on your ballot. Here is how to make sure you are set.

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ALREADY REGISTERED?

You are good to go. Show up and vote every race on your ballot.

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NOT
REGISTERED?

Sign up by October 5. It takes five minutes at mvp.sos.ga.gov.

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SOMETHING CHANGED

Moved or changed your name? Update it by October 5 at mvp.sos.ga.gov.

Unlike the primaries, the November election is not tied to a party ballot. Every registered voter receives the same ballot and can vote in every race. For official eligibility guidance, visit mvp.sos.ga.gov.

You don't need a guide to research a candidate. Here's a framework for doing it yourself, whether you're looking at a Governor's race or a county commissioner seat. Click any item to expand.

Quick answers

  • No. Unlike the primary, the November midterm election is not tied to any party. Every registered voter gets the same ballot, with candidates from all parties listed together. You choose whoever you want in each race. It does not matter what you did in the primary or whether you voted at all.

  • Yes. Early voting for the November 3 election runs October 13 through October 30. You can find your early voting location and hours at mvp.sos.ga.gov/s/.

  • You don't need an excuse to vote by mail in Georgia. Any registered voter can request an absentee ballot. The deadline for your county to receive your application is October 23, and your voted ballot must be received by 7 p.m. on Election Day. More info at Georgia.gov.

  • Never. Midterms Matter is a nonpartisan civic education initiative. We don't support or oppose any candidate, party, or political position. Our only goal is to make sure more Georgians have the information they need to participate, however they choose.

YOUR PEOPLE. Trusted voices.
Real communities.

Georgia Matters is a nonpartisan coalition of Georgian leaders helping their networks show up informed on November 3rd.