Key State
Last updated: Nov 05, 2024

Georgia

Memos

Demographics and Georgia’s Early and Absentee Electorate

Polls in Georgia close at 7 p.m., and results will likely follow not long after. However, just a fraction of the vote will be cast today—all told, over four million ballots were cast and accepted in this pivotal state before Election Day. For comparison, that is around 81% of total votes cast in Georgia’s 2020 election. There is a great deal of administrative data about these ballots, particularly since the Peach State provides demographic data, which we use to analyze the composition of the electorate across Georgia as a whole and in a few notable counties. In this post we examine the demographics of mail and early voters by merging Georgia’s absentee ballot file as of today with a snapshot of the Georgia voter file.

Memo / November 05, 2024
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State Report: Georgia 2024

As in 2020 and 2022, Georgia is expected to be a critical battleground this November. While there are no marquee Senate contests on the ballot this year, the state’s 16 electoral votes have the potential to decide who wins the presidency in what was the closest state of the 2020 election, decided by just 0.23 percent—or 11,779 votes. 

Four years later, Georgia’s elections are particularly steeped in controversy, and concerns about election integrity, voter suppression, and the autonomy and safety of poll workers continue to dog the election process. Two dozen new election laws have been enacted, changing how elections are conducted in Georgia. These two contests gave us insights into—and data on—the inner workings of Georgia’s 2024 election process, and serve as a useful guide to the November election.

Memo / July 10, 2024
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State Resources

Georgia Secretary of State

Elections Division

Data Visualizations

Voter Registration

Last updated October 18, 2024

This plot shows the weekly net change in Georgia's registered voter and active voter totals, beginning on September 27. The net change in active voters is consistently about 50% greater than the net change in registered voters, and both continue to climb week over week. For the first three weeks, the net change in registered voters hovered around 10,000–15,000 voters, while the net change in active voters was generally above 20,000 voters. Both figures jumped in the most recent week, when the net increases were of 60,000 active and almost 40,000 registered voters.

This plot shows the weekly net change in Georgia's registered voter and active voter totals, beginning on September 27. The net change in active voters is consistently about 50% greater than the net change in registered voters, and both continue to climb week over week. For the first three weeks, the net change in registered voters hovered around 10,000–15,000 voters, while the net change in active voters was generally above 20,000 voters. Both figures jumped in the most recent week, when the net increases were of 60,000 active and almost 40,000 registered voters.

NOTE: For the week ending on October 11, data was collected a day earlier, on Thursday, October 10.
Previous Voter Registration Graphs

October 10, 2024

The weekly change in Georgia's total number of active voters and registered voters, from September 19 until today. Georgia adds about 15,000 to 20,000 net registered voters every week, and around 25,000 active voters.

The weekly change in Georgia's total number of active voters and registered voters, from September 19 until today. Georgia adds about 15,000 to 20,000 net registered voters every week, and around 25,000 active voters.

September 27, 2024

This plot displays the daily change in Georgia's active voter total (green) and registered voter total (gold), beginning on September 18. The growth in active voters is consistently higher than that for all registered voters by around 1,500 voters, with growth in each demonstrated every day data was collected. On September 26, the Peach State saw a net growth of 5,000 active voters and around 3,500 registered voters.

This plot displays the daily change in Georgia's active voter total (green) and registered voter total (gold), beginning on September 18. The growth in active voters is consistently higher than that for all registered voters by around 1,500 voters, with growth in each demonstrated every day data was collected. On September 26, the Peach State saw a net growth of 5,000 active voters and around 3,500 registered voters.

Mail Ballot Visualizations

Last updated November 5, 2024

2024 and 2020 Comparison:

The number of mail-in ballots issued and accepted, and the number of early in-person votes cast, in Georgia in the leadup to the 2020 and 2024 elections. In 2020, more than 1 million absentee ballots were sent to voters about 47 days before the election, and climbed to about 1.7 million a week before the election. In 2024, that number started around 200,000 30 days before the election and has climbed to nearly 350,000. In 2020, about 1.3 million ballots had been returned by the day before the election, compared to under 270,000 in 2024. In-person early voting in 2020 reached about 2.7 million in 2020 when the early voting period ended, compared to over 3.8 million in 2024.

The number of mail-in ballots issued and accepted, and the number of early in-person votes cast, in Georgia in the leadup to the 2020 and 2024 elections. In 2020, more than 1 million absentee ballots were sent to voters about 47 days before the election, and climbed to about 1.7 million a week before the election. In 2024, that number started around 200,000 30 days before the election and has climbed to nearly 350,000. In 2020, about 1.3 million ballots had been returned by the day before the election, compared to under 270,000 in 2024. In-person early voting in 2020 reached about 2.7 million in 2020 when the early voting period ended, compared to over 3.8 million in 2024.

2024 Early Voting Only: 

The number of mail-in ballots issued and accepted in Georgia in the leadup to the 2024 election. In 2024, the number of absentee ballots sent jumped from about 15,000 to around 200,000 30 days before the election and has climbed to around 350,000. In 2024, about 270,000 ballots had been returned by the day before the election.

The number of mail-in ballots issued and accepted in Georgia in the leadup to the 2024 election. In 2024, the number of absentee ballots sent jumped from about 15,000 to around 200,000 30 days before the election and has climbed to around 350,000. In 2024, about 270,000 ballots had been returned by the day before the election.

 

Previous Mail Ballot Graphs

November 4, 2024

The number of mail-in ballots issued and accepted, and the number of early in-person votes cast, in Georgia in the leadup to the 2020 and 2024 elections. In 2020, more than 1 million absentee ballots were sent to voters about 47 days before the election, and climbed to about 1.7 million a week before the election. In 2024, that number started around 200,000 30 days before the election and has climbed to nearly 350,000. In 2020, about 1 million had been returned roughly a week before the election, compared to under 200,000 in 2024. In-person early voting in 2020 reached about 2.3 million in 2020 a week out from the election, compared to over 3 million in 2024.

The number of mail-in ballots issued and accepted, and the number of early in-person votes cast, in Georgia in the leadup to the 2020 and 2024 elections. In 2020, more than 1 million absentee ballots were sent to voters about 47 days before the election, and climbed to about 1.7 million a week before the election. In 2024, that number started around 200,000 30 days before the election and has climbed to nearly 350,000. In 2020, about 1 million had been returned roughly a week before the election, compared to under 200,000 in 2024. In-person early voting in 2020 reached about 2.3 million in 2020 a week out from the election, compared to over 3 million in 2024.

November 1, 2024

The number of mail-in ballots issued and accepted, and the number of early in-person votes cast, in Georgia in the leadup to the 2020 and 2024 elections. In 2020, more than 1 million absentee ballots were sent to voters about 47 days before the election, and climbed to about 1.7 million a week before the election. In 2024, that number started around 200,000 30 days before the election and has climbed to over 300,000. In 2020, about 1 million had been returned roughly a week before the election, compared to under 200,000 in 2024. In-person early voting in 2020 reached about 2.3 million in 2020 a week out from the election, compared to over 3 million in 2024.

The number of mail-in ballots issued and accepted, and the number of early in-person votes cast, in Georgia in the lead-up to the 2020 and 2024 elections. In 2020, more than 1 million absentee ballots were sent to voters about 47 days before the election, and climbed to about 1.7 million a week before the election. In 2024, that number started around 200,000 30 days before the election and has climbed to over 300,000. In 2020, about 1 million had been returned roughly a week before the election, compared to under 200,000 in 2024. In-person early voting in 2020 reached about 2.3 million in 2020 a week out from the election, compared to over 3 million in 2024.

October 31, 2024

The number of mail-in ballots issued and accepted, and the number of early in-person votes cast, in Georgia in the leadup to the 2020 and 2024 elections. In 2020, more than 1 million absentee ballots were sent to voters about 47 days before the election, and climbed to about 1.7 million a week before the election. In 2024, that number started around 200,000 30 days before the election and has climbed to over 300,000. In 2020, about 1 million had been returned roughly a week before the election, compared to under 200,000 in 2024. In-person early voting in 2020 reached about 2.3 million in 2020 a week out from the election, compared to over 3 million in 2024.

The number of mail-in ballots issued and accepted, and the number of early in-person votes cast, in Georgia in the leadup to the 2020 and 2024 elections. In 2020, more than 1 million absentee ballots were sent to voters about 47 days before the election, and climbed to about 1.7 million a week before the election. In 2024, that number started around 200,000 30 days before the election and has climbed to over 300,000. In 2020, about 1 million had been returned roughly a week before the election, compared to under 200,000 in 2024. In-person early voting in 2020 reached about 2.3 million in 2020 a week out from the election, compared to over 3 million in 2024.

October 30, 2024

The number of mail-in ballots issued and accepted, and the number of early in-person votes cast, in Georgia in the leadup to the 2020 and 2024 elections. In 2020, more than 1 million absentee ballots were sent to voters about 47 days before the election, and climbed to about 1.7 million a week before the election. In 2024, that number started around 200,000 30 days before the election and has climbed to over 300,000. In 2020, about 1 million had been returned roughly a week before the election, compared to under 200,000 in 2024. In-person early voting in 2020 reached about 2.3 million in 2020 a week out from the election, compared to over 3 million in 2024.

The number of mail-in ballots issued and accepted, and the number of early in-person votes cast, in Georgia in the leadup to the 2020 and 2024 elections. In 2020, more than 1 million absentee ballots were sent to voters about 47 days before the election, and climbed to about 1.7 million a week before the election. In 2024, that number started around 200,000 30 days before the election and has climbed to over 300,000. In 2020, about 1 million had been returned roughly a week before the election, compared to under 200,000 in 2024. In-person early voting in 2020 reached about 2.3 million in 2020 a week out from the election, compared to over 3 million in 2024.

October 29, 2024

The number of mail-in ballots issued and accepted, and the number of early in-person votes cast, in Georgia in the leadup to the 2020 and 2024 elections. In 2020, more than 1 million absentee ballots were sent to voters about 47 days before the election, and climbed to about 1.7 million a week before the election. In 2024, that number started around 200,000 30 days before the election and has climbed to about 300,000. In 2020, about 1 million had been returned roughly a week before the election, compared to about 180,000 in 2024. In-person early voting in 2020 reached about 1.7 million in 2020 a week out from the election, compared to about 2.7 million in 2024.

The number of mail-in ballots issued and accepted, and the number of early in-person votes cast, in Georgia in the leadup to the 2020 and 2024 elections. In 2020, more than 1 million absentee ballots were sent to voters about 47 days before the election, and climbed to about 1.7 million a week before the election. In 2024, that number started around 200,000 30 days before the election and has climbed to about 300,000. In 2020, about 1 million had been returned roughly a week before the election, compared to about 180,000 in 2024. In-person early voting in 2020 reached about 1.7 million in 2020 a week out from the election, compared to about 2.7 million in 2024.

October 28, 2024

The number of mail-in ballots issued and accepted, and the number of early in-person votes cast, in Georgia in the leadup to the 2020 and 2024 elections. In 2020, more than 1 million absentee ballots were sent to voters about 47 days before the election, and climbed to about 1.7 million a week before the election. In 2024, that number started around 200,000 30 days before the election and has climbed to about 300,000. In 2020, about 1 million had been returned roughly a week before the election, compared to about 170,000 in 2024. In-person early voting in 2020 reached about 1.7 million in 2020 a week out from the election, compared to about 2.7 million in 2024.

The number of mail-in ballots issued and accepted, and the number of early in-person votes cast, in Georgia in the leadup to the 2020 and 2024 elections. In 2020, more than 1 million absentee ballots were sent to voters about 47 days before the election, and climbed to about 1.7 million a week before the election. In 2024, that number started around 200,000 30 days before the election and has climbed to about 300,000. In 2020, about 1 million had been returned roughly a week before the election, compared to about 170,000 in 2024. In-person early voting in 2020 reached about 1.7 million in 2020 a week out from the election, compared to about 2.7 million in 2024.

October 21, 2024

The number of early in-person or mail-in ballots sent and cast in Georgia, from the beginning of September until mid-October. The number of ballots sent out climbed to above 10,000 when UOCAVA ballots were sent out in mid-September, and then jumped to nearly 200,000 on October 7, the first day of the domestic absentee voting period. The number sent has since reached almost 290,000 while the number returned has begun to rise in the last few days, nearing 83,000. Over the first few days of in-person voting, just under 1,400,000 ballots have been cast.

The number of early in-person or mail-in ballots sent and cast in Georgia, from the beginning of September until mid-October. The number of ballots sent out climbed to above 10,000 when UOCAVA ballots were sent out in mid-September, and then jumped to nearly 200,000 on October 7, the first day of the domestic absentee voting period. The number sent has since reached almost 290,000 while the number returned has begun to rise in the last few days, nearing 83,000. Over the first few days of in-person voting, just under 1,400,000 ballots have been cast.

October 18, 2024

The number of early in-person or mail-in ballots sent and cast in Georgia, from the beginning of September until mid-October. The number of ballots sent out climbed to above 10,000 when UOCAVA ballots were sent out in mid-September, and then jumped to nearly 200,000 on October 7, the first day of the domestic absentee voting period. The number sent has since exceeded 280,000 while the number returned has begun to sharply rise in the last few days, nearing 50,000. Over the first two days of in-person voting, just under 850,000 ballots have been cast.

The number of early in-person or mail-in ballots sent and cast in Georgia, from the beginning of September until mid-October. The number of ballots sent out climbed to above 10,000 when UOCAVA ballots were sent out in mid-September, and then jumped to nearly 200,000 on October 7, the first day of the domestic absentee voting period. The number sent has since exceeded 280,000 while the number returned has begun to sharply rise in the last few days, nearing 50,000. Over the first two days of in-person voting, just under 850,000 ballots have been cast.

October 17, 2024

The number of early in-person or mail-in ballots sent and cast in Georgia, from the beginning of September until mid-October. The number of ballots sent out climbed to above 10,000 when UOCAVA ballots were sent out in mid-September, and then jumped to nearly 200,000 on October 7, the first day of the domestic absentee voting period. The number sent has since reached almost 280,000 while the number returned has begun to sharply rise in the last few days, passing 35,000. Over the first two days of in-person voting, just under 600,000 ballots have been cast.

The number of early in-person or mail-in ballots sent and cast in Georgia, from the beginning of September until mid-October. The number of ballots sent out climbed to above 10,000 when UOCAVA ballots were sent out in mid-September, and then jumped to nearly 200,000 on October 7, the first day of the domestic absentee voting period. The number sent has since reached almost 280,000 while the number returned has begun to sharply rise in the last few days, passing 35,000. Over the first two days of in-person voting, just under 600,000 ballots have been cast.

October 16, 2024

The number of early in-person or mail-in ballots sent and cast in Georgia, from the beginning of September until mid-October. The number of ballots sent out climbed to above 10,000 when UOCAVA ballots were sent out in mid-September, and then jumped to nearly 200,000 on October 7, the first day of the domestic absentee voting period. The number sent has since reached almost 270,000 while the number returned has begun to sharply rise in the last few days, passing 25,000. On the first day of in-person voting, over 300,000 ballots were cast.

The number of early in-person or mail-in ballots sent and cast in Georgia, from the beginning of September until mid-October. The number of ballots sent out climbed to above 10,000 when UOCAVA ballots were sent out in mid-September, and then jumped to nearly 200,000 on October 7, the first day of the domestic absentee voting period. The number sent has since reached almost 270,000 while the number returned has begun to sharply rise in the last few days, passing 25,000. On the first day of in-person voting, over 300,000 ballots were cast.

October 15, 2024

The number of mail-in ballots sent, returned, and accepted in Georgia, from the beginning of September until today. The number of ballots sent out climbed to above 10,000 when UOCAVA ballots were sent out in mid-September, and then jumped to nearly 200,000 on October 7, the first day of the domestic absentee voting period. The number sent has since reached almost 270,000 while the number returned has risen gradually to around 13,000.

The number of mail-in ballots sent, returned, and accepted in Georgia, from the beginning of September until today. The number of ballots sent out climbed to above 10,000 when UOCAVA ballots were sent out in mid-September, and then jumped to nearly 200,000 on October 7, the first day of the domestic absentee voting period. The number sent has since reached almost 270,000 while the number returned has risen gradually to around 13,000.

October 11, 2024

The number of mail-in ballots sent, returned, and accepted in Georgia, from the beginning of September until today. The number of ballots sent out climbed to above 10,000 when UOCAVA ballots were sent out in mid-September, and then jumped to nearly 200,000 on October 7, the first day of the domestic absentee voting period. The number sent has since climbed above 200,000, since climbing to around 250,000. While the number returned remains in the low thousands, beginning to be distinguishable from zero on the plot.

The number of mail-in ballots sent, returned, and accepted in Georgia, from the beginning of September until today. The number of ballots sent out climbed to above 10,000 when UOCAVA ballots were sent out in mid-September, and then jumped to nearly 200,000 on October 7, the first day of the domestic absentee voting period. The number sent has since climbed above 200,000, since climbing to around 250,000. While the number returned remains in the low thousands, beginning to be distinguishable from zero on the plot.

October 10, 2024

The number of mail-in ballots sent, returned, and accepted in Georgia, from the beginning of September until today. The number of ballots sent out climbed to above 10,000 when UOCAVA ballots were sent out in mid-September, and then jumped to nearly 200,000 on October 7, the first day of the domestic absentee voting period. The number sent has since climbed above 200,000, while the number returned remains in the low thousands, barely distinguishable from zero on the plot.

The number of mail-in ballots sent, returned, and accepted in Georgia, from the beginning of September until today. The number of ballots sent out climbed to above 10,000 when UOCAVA ballots were sent out in mid-September, and then jumped to nearly 200,000 on October 7, the first day of the domestic absentee voting period. The number sent has since climbed above 200,000, while the number returned remains in the low thousands, barely distinguishable from zero on the plot.

October 9, 2024

The number of mail-in ballots sent, returned, and accepted in Georgia, from the beginning of September until today. The number of ballots sent out climbed to above 10,000 when UOCAVA ballots were sent out in mid-September, and then jumped to nearly 200,000 on October 7, the first day of the domestic absentee voting period. The number sent has since climbed above 200,000, while the number returned remains in the low thousands, barely distinguishable from zero on the plot.

The number of mail-in ballots sent, returned, and accepted in Georgia, from the beginning of September until today. The number of ballots sent out climbed to above 10,000 when UOCAVA ballots were sent out in mid-September, and then jumped to nearly 200,000 on October 7, the first day of the domestic absentee voting period. The number sent has since climbed above 200,000, while the number returned remains in the low thousands, barely distinguishable from zero on the plot.

Note: October 7 was the first day of domestic mail-in ballots in Georgia, thus the spike on that day in the plot. 

October 8, 2024

The number of mail-in ballots sent, returned, and accepted in Georgia, from the beginning of September until today. The number of ballots sent out climbed to above 10,000 when UOCAVA ballots were sent out in mid-September, and then jumped to nearly 200,000 on October 7, the first day of the domestic absentee voting period. The number sent has since climbed above 200,000, while the number returned remains in the low thousands, indistinguishable from zero on the plot.

The number of mail-in ballots sent, returned, and accepted in Georgia, from the beginning of September until today. The number of ballots sent out climbed to above 10,000 when UOCAVA ballots were sent out in mid-September, and then jumped to nearly 200,000 on October 7, the first day of the domestic absentee voting period. The number sent has since climbed above 200,000, while the number returned remains in the low thousands, indistinguishable from zero on the plot.

Note: October 7 was the first day of domestic mail-in ballots in Georgia, thus the spike on that day in the plot.