Georgia voters head to the polls on Tuesday, November 3, 2026, in one of the most closely watched elections of the midterm cycle. With a pivotal U.S. Senate race, an open contest for governor, and several statewide offices on the ballot, the Peach State is once again expected to play a major role in the national political landscape. Early voting has already attracted strong participation, surpassing levels seen during the 2022 midterm elections, underscoring the high level of voter engagement heading into Election Day.
The marquee contest is the race for the U.S. Senate, where Democratic incumbent Jon Ossoff is seeking another six-year term against Republican challenger Mike Collins. The campaign has centered on issues such as inflation, healthcare affordability, immigration and economic growth. Polling in the final weeks of the race has generally shown Ossoff holding an advantage, making the Georgia Senate contest one of the most important Democratic defenses in the country as both parties compete for control of the chamber.
The battle for the Governor’s Mansion is expected to be equally competitive. With Republican Governor Brian Kemp unable to run again because of term limits, Georgia voters will choose a new governor for the first time in years. Democrat Keisha Lance Bottoms, the former mayor of Atlanta, faces Republican Rick Jackson in a race that has remained within just a few percentage points throughout the campaign. Analysts view the contest as a true toss-up, with turnout in suburban Atlanta and rural counties likely to determine the outcome.
Several down-ballot races are also drawing significant attention. Georgians will elect a new lieutenant governor, while contests for attorney general and secretary of state could shape election administration and statewide policy for years to come. Democrats are attempting to expand their influence in offices that have traditionally leaned Republican, setting up competitive matchups across the statewide ballot.
In addition to candidate races, voters will decide on three proposed constitutional amendments covering farmland tax relief, nonpartisan probate judge elections and funding for emergency communications systems. These measures could have long-term implications for local governments, agricultural communities and public safety infrastructure across the state.
The stakes are particularly high because Georgia remains one of the nation’s premier battleground states. In the 2024 presidential election, the state was decided by a relatively narrow margin, reinforcing its status as a political swing state. As votes are counted on November 3, attention will focus on whether Democrats can maintain their recent gains in Georgia or whether Republicans can reassert their dominance in statewide elections. With several races expected to be close, some outcomes may not be fully settled until additional ballots are processed and certified in the days following Election Day.
Georgia elections 2026: Senate and governor status
Both contests remain undecided, and pre-election polling should not be confused with election results.Ossoff is seeking another Senate term against Collins, a Republican U.S. representative.
In the governor’s race, Jackson and Bottoms are competing to succeed outgoing Republican Gov. Brian Kemp.Bottoms previously served as Atlanta’s mayor, while Jackson is a healthcare executive.
| Race | Republican candidate | Democratic candidate | Verified results status |
|---|---|---|---|
| U.S. Senate | Mike Collins | Jon Ossoff, incumbent | -- |
| Governor | Rick Jackson | Keisha Lance Bottoms | -- |
Where to follow live Georgia election results on November 3
| Site | Description |
|---|---|
| Georgia Secretary of State | Follow the state’s official election results portal for reported vote totals. |
| Associated Press Senate tracker | Check county reporting, vote totals and the race outcome as results become available. |
| Associated Press Georgia dashboard | Follow the governor’s race and other statewide contests alongside the Senate election. |
When will results become available?
Georgia polls close at 7 p.m. Eastern Time on Tuesday, November 3.For viewers elsewhere in the United States, that is 6 p.m. Central and 4 p.m. Pacific. The Associated Press will report available vote results after polls close, as counting progresses. Initial totals do not necessarily establish who won, and a close race may take longer to resolve.There is no confirmed time for a winner to be declared in either the Senate or governor’s contest.
Could either race go to a runoff?
- Yes. Georgia requires a candidate to receive a majority of the vote to win either contest outright.
- If no candidate receives more than 50%, the top two finishers in that race advance to a runoff.
- The runoff election is scheduled for December 1, 2026. Whether either contest requires one will depend on the November 3 results.
