Georgia voters are shattering records for voting absentee and during early voting. The secretary of state’s office reports that as of Saturday, more than 1.4 million votes have been cast.
Data released by the secretary of state’s office shows off-the-charts increases in early and absentee turnout with a 134% increase in turnout when compared to this point during the 2016 election.
Below is the data from the secretary of state.
Ballots Cast as of 5 p.m. on October 17, 2020
Total Number of Ballots Cast: 1,431,186
Total Number of Early, In-Person Ballots Cast As of 5 p.m. Today: 59,942
Total Number of Early, In-Person Ballots Cast: 777,391
Total Number of Absentee By Mail Ballots Cast: 653,795
Ballots Cast as of Close of Polls on October 22, 2016
Total Number of Ballots Cast: 569,816
Total Number of Early, In-Person Ballots Cast: 482,299
Total Number of Absentee By Mail Ballots Cast: 87,517
Percent Increases*:
Percentage Increase in Total Turnout to Date: 134%
Percentage Increase in Total Early, In-Person Turnout to Date: 47%
Percentage Increase in Absentee By Mail Ballots Accepted to Date: 615%
*Percentage Increases Compare Close of Polls Data for the 5th Day of Early Voting in 2020 and 2016
According to Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger, the high voter turnout this year makes Georgia a leader in voter access.
“Georgia is a leader in election access,” Raffensperger said. “Notwithstanding the pandemic, voters in the Peach State can take advantage of no-excuse absentee ballot voting by mail or through a secure drop box; three weeks of early, in-person voting; or Election Day voting.”
Photo: The line outside South Cobb Regional Library in Mableton stretched around the block on the first day of early voting for the Nov. 3 elections on Oct. 12, 2020. (Photo by Beau Evans | Capitol Beat News Service)
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