GA Voter Guide 2026: Governor, Ossoff's Senate Seat Among Key Races

The voter registration deadline is nearing as a general election that will decide Georgia's next top chief approaches next month.

The role of governor and U.S. senator are on the ballot for this year's general election. Voters will choose who will replace Gov. Brian Kemp, nearing the end of his second term, and they will decide if incumbent U.S. Sen. Jon Ossoff keeps his seat.

Election Day will be held on Nov. 3. If there is a runoff, it will be held on Dec. 1.

Monday is the last day to register to vote in the election, then early voting will begin on Oct. 13 and run through Oct. 30.

Georgia will host Saturday voting on Oct. 17 and Oct. 24, while optional Sunday voting is scheduled for Oct. 18 and Oct. 25.

The next deadline that matters is Oct. 23, the last day to request an absentee ballot. Absentee ballots need to be returned before polls close on Election Day to be counted.

Voters have several options to request absentee ballots and for returning the completed ballots.

RELATED: Early Voting Begins In GA General Election 2025

Voters should go to the My Voter Page to determine their eligibility to vote and to locate their polling place and early voting location. Voters can also confirm their current addresses and view sample ballots.

Georgia's law requires photo ID while voting — either in-person or absentee.

The following identifications are accepted for voting, according to the Secretary of State's office:

• A Georgia driver's license, even if expired
• Student ID from a Georgia public college or university
• Valid employee photo ID from any branch, department, agency, or entity of the U.S. Government, Georgia, or any county, municipality, board, authority or other entity of this state
• Valid U.S. passport ID
• Valid U.S. military photo ID containing a photograph of the voter
• Valid tribal photo ID containing a photograph of the voter

Georgia voters can check the Secretary of State's website for races on the ballot in their county.

Fresh faces entered the gubernatorial race this year due to Kemp's ineligibility to run for a third term.

Democrat Keisha Lance Bottoms and Republican Rick Jackson are the last two standing in the race.

Ahead of the primaries in May, businessman Jackson spoke of his humble roots and voiced his desire to "bring business solutions to Georgia just like (President Donald) Trump did."

Bottoms served as Atlanta mayor from 2018-22. The former White House aide decided to try her hand at governor after the 2024 presidential election, she said at a past debate.

For U.S. senator, challenger U.S. Rep. Mike Collins (R-GA) is aiming to unseat Ossoff (D-GA).

Ossoff is one of two senators representing Georgia in Congress. He was first sworn into office in January 2021 following a runoff.

He runs on a platform supporting advanced health care for pregnant women and children, mental health care for veterans and funding for historically Black colleges and universities in the state.

A longtime businessman, Collins is co-founder of a trucking company and serves the residents of Georgia's 10th congressional district.

More information on voting ID requirements, including for absentee ballots, can be found here.

Read more information on voting in Georgia here.