Georgia continues to set voting records as Election Day nears

ATLANTA — Georgia voters have turned out in record numbers to vote during the state’s three weeks of early in-person voting. As the Nov. 3 general election approaches, Georgia continues to break records in absentee by mail voting and early, in-person voting. Numbers from the secretary of state’s office show that almost 1.5 million Georgia voters had cast ballots by 8 p.m. Sunday.

“Georgia is a leader in election access,” Secretary of State Brad 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.”

The secretary of state’s office released these voting numbers late Sunday night:

♦ Total Number of Ballots Cast: 1,482,432;

♦ Total Number of Early, In-Person Ballots Cast: 819,406;

♦ Total Number of Absentee By Mail Ballots Cast: 663,026.

These numbers compare to the number of ballots cast as of close of polls on Oct. 23, 2016:

♦ Total Number of Ballots Cast: 578,147;

♦ Total Number of Early, In-Person Ballots Cast: 490,147;

♦ Total Number of Absentee By Mail Ballots Cast: 88,000.

Percent Increases:

♦ Percentage Increase in Total Turnout to Date: 156%;

♦ Percentage Increase in Total Early, In-Person Turnout to Date: 67.2%;

♦ Percentage Increase in Absentee By Mail Ballots Accepted to Date: 653.4%.

Percentage increases compare close of polls data for the seventh day of early voting in 2020 and 2016.