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Georgia Sets Early Voting Record as Midterms Approach
Confirmed
In Short: Over 190,000 Georgians cast ballots on the first day of early voting, setting a new record for midterm elections, according to state election officials.
The turnout on Tuesday surpassed the first day of early voting in 2022 by more than 55,000 votes, with most voters casting ballots in person.
Georgia Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger praised the record-breaking turnout, stating, 'This record-breaking turnout proves that voters have confidence in the integrity of our elections.'
Rep. Mike Collins, R-Ga., and Sen. Jon Ossoff, D-Ga., are both running for the U.S. Senate in Georgia, amidst a contentious campaign.
Collins accused Ossoff of financial ties to a billionaire with ties to a convicted sex offender, while Ossoff questioned Collins over the dissemination of 'neo-Nazi propaganda' inside Collins' home.
The Georgia Recorder reported that nothing has changed about the process of absentee voting for the midterm elections.
The Hill reported that 36 percent of the first-day early voters were Black, a 6 percent increase from 2022.
In Decatur County, 266 voters cast their ballots early on Tuesday, compared to 354 on the first day of early voting in 2022.
Harris, a Democratic candidate, emphasized the importance of winning the midterms to fight the Trump administration's corruption and lower costs for Americans.
Pauline Lewis, 65, an alien residing in Dawsonville, Georgia, is alleged to have voted in multiple federal elections.
Lawyers for a group of Democratic candidates, including Sen. Jon Ossoff of Georgia, urged the Supreme Court to leave in place a ruling directing the FCC to rule quickly on a challenge to its 'public notice' that would extend favorable advertising rates to political parties and joint fundraising committees.
What this adds
The record-breaking turnout highlights the strong interest in the upcoming midterm elections.
The high number of Black voters on the first day of early voting underscores the diversity of the electorate.
Background
In the United States, the midterm elections are approaching, and Democrats are expecting a record number of women to run for the House.
What's confirmed
- "This record-breaking turnout proves that voters have confidence in the integrity of our elections," Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger said in a statement.
- "It’s a testament to our strong election system overseen by 159 of the best county election officials in the country." Georgia's contentious U.S.
- "I'm a little tired of this, Jon," Collins said.
What's still developing
- "Why don't you denounce that? Why don't you return that money?"
- "There's a crazy person in jail right now because of your rhetoric," he alleged, before saying he had received another threat just the previous day.
- The first-day number was 188,700 – 53,000 above the first-day total in 2022, according to the Georgia Secretary of State's Office.
- “It’s a testament to our strong election system overseen by 159 of the best county election officials in the country.” An additional 10,300 absentee ballots were also accepted on Tuesday.
- "The biggest difference is there is no incumbent running, we have two new candidates and it's going to be an exciting new start for Georgia," Coddington said.
- “It is critical for Democrats to win this November so we can fight the Trump administration’s corruption and work to lower costs for the American people,” a Harris spokesperson said in a statement.
- Jon Ossoff in Georgia and headline a fundraising dinner hosted by Fulton County Democrats next month, marking her latest involvement in the midterm elections.
- "It bothers me a lot," said Lynn, a lifelong Republican voter in Georgia, who asked NPR to publish only her first name for fear of being ostracized by friends and family for her views.
- According to the Justice Department, the wider operation resulted in charges against 16 individuals across Texas, Idaho, Georgia, Massachusetts, Wisconsin, New Jersey and Michigan.