GEORGIA – The Georgia Secretary of State said voters turned out in record numbers for a presidential election year on the first day of early voting. Duval County officials are taking steps to prepare as well.
Recommended Videos
As of Oct. 15, just over 310,000 Georgia voters cast their ballots during early voting.
Officials said this is up from:
- Over 70,849 on the first day of early voting in the 2018 midterm election
- 136,739 in the 2020 Presidential Election
- First day of early voting of 134,962 in the 2022 midterm election
“Georgia voters are smart,” Secretary Brad Raffensperger said in part. “...Georgia voters shattered records yesterday and came out in record numbers because they know Georgia’s voting system is secure, efficient, and accurate.”
Officials said reports of long lines were minimal, though there were reports of voters waiting in line for more than 30 minutes from a few popular voting locations in metro areas.
RELATED: Camden County poll workers, voters excited as early voting begins in Georgia
The secretary’s office said it expects early voting turnout to increase during the final week of early voting and all Georgia counties will have two Early Voting Saturdays, starting Oct. 19.
Turnout numbers through Oct. 16 at 1:30 p.m.:
- Total turnout: 459,250
- Early In-Person: 431,895
- Absentee: 27,350
While Georgia is breaking early voting records, the Duval County Supervisor of Elections increased more early voting locations in anticipation of more voters.
Jerry Holland said they increased the locations from 19 to 24 and there’s one of these sites within 5 miles of every voter.
“We do see an excitement on this election and that‘s a good indication that if the Georgia voters are that excited to come out the first day, we’re probably going to have a pretty good turnout the first day,” Holland said.
He said they are all prepared for early voting and nothing will change for this coming Monday, but they did add nearly 400 more poll workers than they had in the primary.
"But I will say in these large turnout elections there will be lines and especially on Election Day. That’s why we really want voters to take advantage of early voting," Holland said.
Holland said he expects between 75-80% of registered voters to turnout compared to elections in years past that were between 70 and 75%.
Nassau County‘s supervisor said they’re not adding anything at this time but they are prepared.