Area EarlyVotingAbove Normal; Records Broken Across Georgia

Across the state, early voter turnout has broken records, and in the area, the indications are that the turnout will be above normal. In Toombs County, as of October 17, (the latest figures posted online as of Monday morning), 1821 voters have cast ballots, with 275 absentee ballots issued and 240 of these returned.

In Montgomery County, Registrar Bobbie Carpenter reported that 502 early votes had been cast by Monday morning and 152 absentee ballots had been requested. The numbers indicate that voting in the midterm election in Montgomery County may be heavier than usual. In Wheeler County, Supervisor of Elections Sheila Cheek reported that 307 people had voted as of Monday morning and 75 absentee ballots had been requested. “This a little above normal turnout,” Cheek said of balloting in Wheeler County.

Statewide Early Voting

A report issued Sunday, October 23, by the Georgia Secretary of State’s Office, revealed that Georgia voters continued to hit record-breaking turnouts on October 22, the first mandatory Saturday of early voting. By the next morning, reports showed approximately 740K Georgia voters had cast their ballots during in-person early voting.

A whopping 79,682 showed up on Saturday, marking an astounding 159% increase from day six of 2018 midterm early voting and shattering the turn- continued from page

out record of day six of early voting in the 2020 Presidential election by 20%.

Georgia has had record turnouts since the first day of early voting this year, surging to nearly twice the number of votes cast on the first day of early voting in 2018, according to the Secretary of State’s office. Totals have remained within striking distance of the 2020 Presidential election turnout, and have outdistanced previous midterm turnout records by 50% or greater during every day of early voting last week.

“Early voting is strong because Georgia’s Voter Registration system is strong,” said Georgia Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger. “Every eligible Georgian who wants to be registered to vote is registered to vote. Georgians have taken advantage of Automatic Voter Registration at the DDS, online, and kept up with their status on My Voter Page.”

Reports of long lines were rare, with some lines in the metro areas being reported. No substantial delays were reported yesterday. Early voting turnout is expected to increase during the last week of early voting, and voters are encouraged to take advantage of next Saturday’s early voting day. To find early voting locations and hours in your county, visit the Secretary of State’s My Voter Page.

Early voting ends on November 4. To vote in advance, visit the county registrar’s office (not precincts) on Monday-Friday, 8:30 a.m. until 5 p.m. The General Election is scheduled from 7 a.m. until 7 p.m. only at the voting precincts within each county.

Turnout Numbers Through 10/22/2022: Total Turnout: 816,862 Early In-Person: 740,615 Absentee: 76,247 New Turnout Since Previous Day: 84,135 Early In-Person Since Previous Day: 79,682 Absentee Since Previous Day: 4,453 Note: turnout statistics are reconciled throughout the day and daily updates will not always reflect reported totals from previous day.

Turnout Through Same Day in 2020: Early In-Person: 812,167

Turnout Through Same Day in 2018:

Early In-Person: 428,413 More information can be found on the Secretary of State’s Data Hub: Data Hub – 2022 General Election | Georgia Secretary of State (ga.gov).