Voter Registration Deadline Nears for GA Primary

Georgia voters have until Monday, April 20, to register for the May 19 primary that will help choose the state’s next governor. (sos.ga.gov) The Georgia Secretary of State’s 2026 election calendar lists May 19, 2026, as the general primary date and April 20, 2026, as the voter registration deadline for that election. The same calendar sets June 16 for any primary runoff and November 3 for the general election. (sos.ga.gov) Georgia gives voters three ways to cast a ballot: early voting in person, absentee voting by mail or drop box, and Election Day voting. The state says early voting runs for three weeks before Election Day, including two Saturdays, and counties may also offer Sunday voting. (sos.ga.gov) Absentee voting is available without an excuse in Georgia, and voters can request a mail ballot as much as 78 days before the election. The request deadline is 11 days before Election Day, after which voters can still vote early in person or on May 19 at their assigned precinct. (sos.ga.gov) This primary matters because Gov. Brian Kemp cannot seek another term in 2026, leaving both parties to compete for an open governor’s office. Georgia will elect its next governor on November 3, 2026. (ballotpedia.org) The Republican primary is crowded, with eight candidates listed by Ballotpedia. The best-known contenders include Attorney General Chris Carr, Lt. Gov. Burt Jones, Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger, and healthcare executive Rick Jackson. (ballotpedia.org) Democrats also have a multi-candidate field, with seven candidates listed for May 19. Ballotpedia identifies former Atlanta Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms, former Lt. Gov. Geoff Duncan, state Sen. Jason Esteves, and DeKalb County CEO Michael Thurmond among the leading names in the race. (ballotpedia.org) Georgia does not register voters by party, and voters can check registration status, polling places, and early voting locations through the state’s My Voter Page. The Secretary of State says online registration is available for people with a valid Georgia driver’s license or state identification card. (sos.ga.gov, sos.ga.gov) In-person voters must show government-issued photo identification, and polling places on Election Day are open from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Voters who are in line by 7 p.m. must still be allowed to vote. (sos.ga.gov) The registration window has now closed for the May 19 primary, but Georgia’s voting period is about to begin. For registered voters, the next deadlines are early voting dates set by their county and the absentee-ballot request cutoff 11 days before Election Day. (sos.ga.gov, sos.ga.gov)