Georgia is holding an election for governor later this year, and if you don’t know where to start with all the upcoming deadlines, details, and candidates, let us help you out. Keep scrolling to answer all your questions about the 2026 Georgia gubernatorial election.
When is the 2026 Georgia gubernatorial election?
The Georgia election for governor will be held on November 3rd, 2026.
When are the 2026 Georgia gubernatorial primaries?
Both the republican and democratic primaries for the Georgia election for governor will be held on May 19, 2026, with a primary runoff on June 16, 2026.
When do I need to register to vote by?
To vote in the general election this November, you must register to vote by October 5th, 2026.
If you aren’t registered to vote or you want to check your voter status, you can head to Georgia’s official website, here, to register.
Registering to vote online is quick and easy!Can I vote by absentee ballot?
Registered Georgians have the option to vote by absentee ballot. You do not need “an excuse” to request an absentee ballot. This option is open to everyone.
If you’d like to request an absentee ballot, you may do so on the official Georgia absentee ballot website, here.
Absentee ballots may be requested any time between 78 and 11 calendar days prior to Election Day. It’s important to request and return your absentee ballot early. You may begin requesting your ballot on August 17, 2026.
It may take up to two weeks to receive your absentee ballot from your county registrar.
If you are mailing back your absentee ballot after you’ve completed and signed it, it is recommended that you allow an additional two weeks for it to be received. Completed and signed absentee ballots must be received by 7 p.m. on Election Day, November 3, 2026.
You may also drop off your completed and signed absentee ballot into your county’s absentee ballot drop box or hand deliver it to your county registrar.
Learn more about absentee voting, here.When does early voting begin / end?
Early voting for the Georgia governor race begins on October 13th, 2026. Early voting will end on Friday, October 30, 2026.
Unlike Election Day, you do not have to vote at an assigned polling location during early voting. You may vote at any early voting location within your county.
Find available early voting locations by visiting the Secretary of State’s website and selecting your county of residence from the list.
Early voting takes place Monday through Friday, and the second and third Saturdays before Election Day. Some polling locations may be open on the second and third Sundays. During early voting, polls are typically open from 9 AM to 5 PM on weekdays and 9 AM to 4 PM on Saturdays. Exact hours may vary.
Who is running for Georgia governor?
Right now there are many candidates still in the running for Georgia governor. After the May 19th primaries, the results will be narrowed down for the general election. Here are the current candidates for both parties (click any of their names to go to their official websites):
Democratic primary for Governor of Georgia
- Keisha Bottoms (former mayor of Atlanta)
- Olu Brown
- Amanda Duffy
- Geoff Duncan
- Jason Esteves
- Derrick Jackson
- Michael Thurmond
Republican primary for Governor of Georgia
- Chris Carr
- Clark Dean
- Rick Jackson
- Burt Jones
- Gregg Kirkpatrick (official website not available)
- Brad Raffensperger
- Tom Williams
- Ken Yasger
What else is on my ballot?
Right now, we don’t know exactly who will be on the ballot for the general election, since primaries have yet to happen.
When it is available, we will update this section with the most up-to-date information. Beginning September 19th, you can view a sample ballot online to see exactly what will be on your ballot.
Sample ballots in Georgia typically include a mock-up of the actual ballot, a list of candidates and ballot measures, the date of the election, and instructions for voting.
How do I vote in the Georgia governor race?
Okay, I’m all set and I know who I’m voting for… how do I vote? Great question!
If you’re voting in person on Election Day, you can go to your polling place and cast your vote. You MUST show a photo ID to vote.
Polling places are open on Election Day from 7:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. If you are in line by 7:00 p.m., you are allowed to cast your ballot. In other words, don’t get out of line, even if it’s past 7pm.
You can find your polling place and learn more about in-person voting here.If you need more information about absentee ballot voting or voting early, scroll up to earlier sections of this article.
Remember, voting, registering to vote, and information about voting is FREE and available to all. Official government voting information sites and registration will never ask you for a fee.