See 2026 Georgia midterm election results from key local races

Georgians have approved all three amendments to the state's constitution that were on the midterm ballot..

Amendment 1 doubles the farmland or timberland eligible for a special property tax break from 2,000 to 4,000 acres.

Amendment 2 will turn all of the state's probate judge elections nonpartisan. Most of the counties already have nonpartisan elections for the role, but this makes it statewide.

Amendment 3 allows Georgia lawmakers to dedicate some tax revenue to a fund to maintain, expand, and upgrade emergency call systems.

Georgia's next attorney general, labor commissioner, school superintendent, and insurance commissioner will all be Democrats.

CBS News projects that Tanya Miller, a Georgia state representative and chair of the House Democratic Caucus, defeated Brian Strickland, a longtime state senator who has represented Georgia's 42nd Senate District since 2018.

Nikki Porcher is projected to have beaten Republican incumbent Barbara Rivera Holmes in the race for labor commissioner. Holmes was appointed to the position by Gov. Brian Kemp in 2025 and was running for the first time.

The Associated Press called the race for school superintendent for Lydia Powell. She will replace Republican incumbent Richard Woods, who has been in office since he was first elected in 2014.

Democrat Keisha Sean Waites is also projected to become the next insurance commissioner, defeating Republican incumbent John King.

Georgia Democrats are projected to take control of the Public Service Commission for the first time in decades.

Both seats on the commission that were up for election this midterm were won by Democrats, according to the Associated Press.

Incumbent Peter Hubbard, who won election in 2025, won reelection against Republican Fitz Johnson, whom he had previously defeated. Sheila Edwards beat Josh Tolbert to become the commissioner for District 5.

With the victories, three of the five seats are now under control by the Democrats, a massive shift in less than a year. Before that, Republicans held all the seats.

Joined by her family on stage, Keisha Lance Bottoms said that she would be a governor for the entire state, no matter how they voted in the hard-fought governor's race.

"This win is for all of us," she said. "Thank you Georgia. I am honored to be your 84th governor."

Bottoms discussed her family's history to the state, discussing visiting the grave of her great-great-grandmother, who was born 20 years before the Emancipation Proclamation.

"I know I am standing on shoulders made of steel," she said.

Like Jon Ossoff, Bottoms said her election sent a message of unity in the state, which she contrasted to the "chaos in Washington."

Former Fulton County State Court Judge Penny Brown Reynolds will be Georgia's first Democratic secretary of state in nearly 20 years, CBS News projects.

Reynolds defeated state Rep. Tim Fleming to succeed Brad Raffensperger, who chose to run in the Republican gubernatorial primary.

Her victory breaks a streak of Republican election leaders in the Peach State. The most recent Democrat to hold the position was Lera Catharine Cox, who lost to Karen Handle in the 2006 midterms.

Read more here.

Republican Josh Cowan has defeated Democrat Chris Harden to win an the open House of Representatives seat in Georgia's 11 Congressional District, CBS News projects.

Cowan, a neurosurgeon, will succeed retiring Rep. Barry Lowdermilk in the district, which includes parts of Bartow, Cherokee, Cobb, Gordon, and Pickens counties.

Josh McLaurin, the Democrat nominee, defeated Republican state Sen. Greg Dolezal to become Georgia's next lieutenant governor, CBS News projects.

 McLaurin will succeed Lt. Gov. Burt Jones. As lieutenant governor, he will preside over the state Senate and help shape legislative priorities at the Georgia Capitol.

The 38-year-old is an attorney who represents Senate District 14 in north metro Atlanta. He previously served four years in the Georgia House before getting elected to the Senate in 2022. 

Supporters have started to clear out from Rick Jackson's election night watch party.

Jackson took a few moments after his speech to greet and take pictures with supporters.

During his speech, Jackson thanked his family, supporters, and associates of Jackson Healthcare.

"Tonight the voters spoke, and I respect their decision," he said. "This was a hard-fought election."

"I want to cry. I'm very grateful and excited that we finally got the first female governor," said Conqula Milner, 54, who was wearing a long blue shirt with "Blessed" written on the back in silver sparkles.

Milner, who was at Bottoms' election night party, said she was confident Bottoms would win but thought the margin would be tighter.

A veteran who works at the VA hospital in Atlanta, Milner says she believes Bottoms will do a lot to help veterans.

Paula Sanders, 69, a retired school counselor, said she supports Bottoms because she strongly agrees "with her plan to make life better for all Georgians."

Dancing to the music with some friends as she waited for Bottoms to come out and address the crowd, she savored the election of the country's first Black female governor: "This is a real history-making moment. So proud of Georgia!"

Georgia's Amendment 3 passed Tuesday, according to projections, deciding whether state lawmakers can create a dedicated fund to help modernize and operate 911 systems across the state.

Amendment 3 asked Georgia voters whether the state should be allowed to set aside certain existing revenues specifically for 911 services. The money could be placed in a Georgia Next Generation 911 Fund and used only to expand, maintain and operate emergency 911 systems. Money left in the fund at the end of a fiscal year would remain there rather than returning to the state's general fund.

The Associated Press also projects that Georgia's Amendment 2 passed, which makes the election of probate judges in the state nonpartisan.

Read more here.

Republican U.S. Rep. Rich McCormick has won reelection in Georgia's 7th Congressional District, defeating Democrat Tony Kozycki, according to projections.

McCormick's victory keeps the northern metro Atlanta seat in Republican hands. The district includes all of Dawson, Forsyth and Lumpkin counties and stretches from Atlanta's northern suburbs into the North Georgia mountains.

McCormick, an emergency room physician and Marine Corps veteran, was first elected to Congress in 2022. He initially represented Georgia's 6th Congressional District before court-ordered redistricting changed the boundaries. McCormick moved to the 7th District race in 2024 and won with nearly 65% of the vote.

Read more here.

Jon Ossoff took to the stage at his watch party to celebrate after he was projected to win reelection early Tuesday night.

The Georgia senators reelection blocks a targeted effort by Republicans to pick up a Senate seat in their effort to keep control of the legislative body.

Ossoff said his election and others were a sign of better things to come. 

"Let tonight's results give you courage that the first light of dawn is on the horizon," he said.

The senator did not pull his punches on the campaign trail in targeting President Trump, who had given him the nickname "PeeWee Herman."

"The American people have rebuked the depravity, corruption and incompetence of the failed lame duck president, Donald J. Trump," he said.

Ossoff said that Congress' work is not done and called for overcoming division, saying that the United States had been "adrift in a gale."

His decisive victory over Republican Rep. Mike Collins, however, showed that unity is possible, he argued, pointing to the support by hundreds of thousands of independent and Republican voters who supported him.

Keisha Lance Bottoms' watch party burst into explosive cheers after she was projected to be the winner in Georgia's gubernatorial race.

After what felt like a nervous hopefulness all night, the crowd exploded into chants of "Keisha."

At another watch party, Republican gubernatorial candidate Rick Jackson took the stage to speak to his supporters thanking them for everything they have done.

Saying he called Keisha Lance-Bottoms and congratulated her on becoming the governor-elect of Georgia.

"She deserves our prayers and our congratulations," he said.

Democrat Keisha Lance Bottoms has won Georgia's gubernatorial election, defeating Republican Rick Jackson and Libertarian Chase Oliver, CBS News projects.

Bottoms, a former Atlanta mayor and senior adviser in the Biden administration, will succeed Republican Gov. Brian Kemp, who was barred from seeking a third consecutive term. Her victory returns the Georgia governor's office to Democratic control for the first time in more than two decades.

Bottoms will become Georgia's first woman governor and the first Black woman to serve as governor anywhere in the United States. She will also be the first Black governor in Georgia's history.

Read more here.

Republican incumbent Brian Jack has defeated Democratic challenger Maura Keller to keep his U.S. House seat, CBS New projects.

Jack, the national delegate director for President Trump's 2016 campaign, was seeking a second term. This race was a rematch between the pair.

While supporters at Sen. Jon Ossoff's watch party are celebrating his election win, people at Keisha Lance Bottoms' watch party remain cautiously optimistic.

Several supporters who spoke to CBS News Atlanta say that the feeling is rooted in concern over uncounted votes coming out of red counties.

As one supporter put it, "There's the urban vote, and then there's the suburban vote."

As of 8:50 p.m., Bottoms was up by slightly more than 12 points to her Republican opponent, Rick Jackson.

The Georgia Senate race was called less than an hour after the polls closed, but Rep. Mike Collins' supporters did not leave the watch party just yet.

People continued to slowly make their way into the watch party ballroom leading up to the race being called. The turnout was fairly small, but the support for Collins could clearly be heard when he walked on stage to give his concession speech.

He thanked his team, his family and his supporters in a speech that was brief.

The lawmaker did not mention Ossoff by name, choosing instead to highlight his work in Congress.

"The results may not be what we wanted tonight, but y'all, that's OK. I'm going to continue to serve in whatever capacity I'm afforded. And I look forward to whatever the good Lord has in store for us," he said.

He said it was an honor to serve under the leadership of President Trump, calling him the "best president in my lifetime."

At the end of his speech, he stayed on stage to take pictures with his supporters before going into the crowd to take more pictures.

Despite the loss, everyone seems to be in good spirits, enjoying the food and beverages provided.

Georgia Sen. Raphael Warnock has shared his congratulations with Sen. Jon Ossoff for another six years in office.

"Congratulations to my brother, Jon Ossoff! Honored to be in this fight with you," Warnock wrote on Facebook.

Warnock and Ossoff were the first Democrats elected to the U.S. Senate in more than a decade, both winning their first term in 2020.

Some Rick Jackson supporters at tonight's watch party say the issues that drove them to the polls are the economy, taxes and government accountability.

They tell CBS News Atlanta a successful election night for them would mean a Rick Jackson win and the continuation of Republican leadership in Georgia.

Republicans have held the office since former state Sen. Sonny Perdue defeated incumbent Roy Barnes in 2022. Perdue was the first Republican governor of the state in 131 years.

Hank Johnson has won reelection to represent Georgia's 4th House District in Washington, CBS News projects.

Johnson is projected to have defeated Jim Duffie for the seat. He has represented the district since 2007.

Supporters have begun to fill the Keisha Lance Bottoms' campaign watch party in Atlanta.

The night is early, and the mood here at the moment is cordial, perhaps even muted. But there is a sense from folks the CBS News Atlanta spoken with that history could be made tonight.

If Bottoms wins, she will be Georgia's first-ever female governor — and the first Black female elected governor in U.S. history.

Democratic Sen. Jon Ossoff defeated GOP Rep. Mike Collins in the Georgia Senate race, CBS News projects, holding onto his seat in the upper chamber. 

Ossoff, 39, was the sole Democrat seeking reelection in a state that President Trump won in 2024. He first came to the Senate in 2021, when he delivered Democrats one of two runoff victories in Georgia. This cycle, Republicans saw the race as a key prize as they sought to keep control of the chamber. But after a messy primary fight, and facing personal controversies and national headwinds, Collins was unable to make significant inroads in the Peach State. 

Read more here.

Incumbent House Rep. Lucy McBath will represent Georgia's 6th Congressional District in Washington for another two years, CBS News projects.

McBath, who has served four terms in the House, defeated Republican challenger and Smyrna controller Kevin Martin in Tuesday's midterm election.

The Democratic incumbent and gun control advocate was likely to win the district, which contains part of Atlanta as well as sections of Cobb, Douglas, Fayette, and Fulton counties, and heavily leaned Democratic in the 2024 election.

Read more here.

Early results have started to come in and supporters of Republican candidate and health care billionaire Rick Jackson are waiting to see how their candidate does. 

At his watch party, a screen to the left of the stage is projecting unofficial results from the Secretary of State's office.

Despite former Atanta Mayor Keisha Lance-Bottoms showing an early lead, supporters are still chatting, socializing and enjoying food and drinks at the watch party.

Nikema Williams defeated her Republican challenger John "Bongo" Salvesen to serve another term representing Georgia's 5th Congressional District, CBS News projects. 

The victory gives Williams a fourth term representing the Atlanta-based district, which includes most of the city and some nearby suburbs.

Tuesday's election was the second time Williams and Salvesen faced each other for the congressional seat. Williams won their 2024 race with more than 85% of the vote. 

Read more here.

State Rep. Jasmine Clark will be the newest lawmaker to represent Georgia's 13th Congressional District in the U.S. House, CBS News projects.

Clark, who has been in the Georgia House of Representatives since 2019, is projected to have beaten Republican Air Force veteran Jonathan Chavez, who ran unopposed in the GOP primary earlier this year.

The district, which stretches across portions of metro Atlanta and was first created following the 2000 Census, was represented for decades by the late Rep. David Scott. His death in April triggered a high-profile race in what has long been considered a solidly blue district.

Read more here.

An Associated Press poll of Senate voters in Georgia may share some insight into how some decided to cast their ballot.

Only about 4 in 10 Senate voters said Democratic Sen. Jon Ossoff has views that are "too extreme." About half, by contrast, say the views of his opponent, Republican Rep. Mike Collins, are "too extreme."

Ossoff has accused Collins of employing staffers who are white nationalists. President Trump and other Republicans have suggested that Ossoff's perspectives on immigration and the economy are outside the American mainstream.

Georgia voters are making decisions that could reshape the state's political leadership and help determine which party controls Congress.

At the top of the ballot is the U.S. Senate race between Democratic incumbent Jon Ossoff and Republican Mike Collins, with Republicans seeking to expand their Senate majority.

Georgia is also electing a new governor to replace term-limited Brian Kemp, along with a lieutenant governor, attorney general and secretary of state.

Beyond statewide offices, all 14 of Georgia's U.S. House seats and every seat in the state legislature are on the ballot.

Voters are also deciding three proposed constitutional amendments addressing agricultural property taxes, probate judge elections and funding for emergency 911 services.

The results will determine Georgia's leadership for the next four years and help shape the balance of power in Washington.

Rick Jackson's supporters are beginning to fill the seats at his election night watch party.

The stage is set with the American flag and the Georgia state flag serving as the backdrop.

Supporters seem excited for the night to begin. The room is filled with chatter, and a group of supporters can be seen raising their glasses to one another as the watch party gets underway.

Polls are closing across most of Georgia at 7 p.m. Tuesday as voters decide key races for governor, U.S. Senate and other statewide offices.

However, a judge approved a seven-minute voting extension at Precinct 21, located at Rockbridge Elementary School in Norcross, after a school safety drill briefly interrupted voting.

Polls there will remain open until 7:07 p.m., and anyone in line at closing time will still be allowed to vote.

Among the major races are Democratic U.S. Sen. Jon Ossoff's contest against Republican Mike Collins and the governor's race between Democrat Keisha Lance Bottoms, Republican Rick Jackson and Libertarian Chase Oliver.

Voters are also deciding several congressional races and three proposed constitutional amendments.

CBS News Atlanta will be tracking results throughout the evening as votes are counted across the state.

Several major races are drawing national attention in Georgia's midterm elections, with voters deciding who will represent them in Washington and lead the state for the next four years.

Here are some of the key contests CBS News Atlanta is following:

• U.S. Senate: Democratic incumbent Jon Ossoff faces Republican U.S. Rep. Mike Collins in a race that could help determine control of the Senate.
• Governor: Democrat Keisha Lance Bottoms faces Republican businessman Rick Jackson in the race to replace term-limited Gov. Brian Kemp.
• Lieutenant governor: Democrat Josh McLaurin faces Republican Greg Dolezal.
• Secretary of state: Democrat Penny Brown Reynolds faces Republican Tim Fleming.
• U.S. House: All 14 of Georgia's congressional districts are holding elections, including the race to represent the 13th Congressional District, previously held by the late Rep. David Scott.

CBS News Atlanta will be tracking these races and others as results come in throughout the evening.

The stage is set for Republican Congressman Mike Collins at his election night watch party in Dunwoody

The doors opened for the media at 5:30 p.m., as hotel staff were actively completing the final setup for the evening. Doors are set to open for invited guests at 7 p.m.

In the background, the anticipation of the night is being narrated by the faint sounds of Gladys Knight and the Pips' "Midnight Train to Georgia."

Each table is set with a small patriotic centerpiece with red, white, and blue decorations along with small American flags.

It appears to be an open bar with anticipation for a celebration at the end of the night.

With many races possibly being determined by narrow margins, the state may be requested to recount the votes.

Georgia law does not require the state to do an automatic recount of votes, but a candidate can request a recount if the margin they lost by is less than or equal to 0.5%.

That request must be made within two business days of when the results are certified.

The secretary of state can request a recount if petitioned by a candidate who believes there is an error or a discrepancy in the vote. If there are any errors in the returns, an election official can ask for a recount.

More than 1 million votes have been cast on Election Day as Georgia gets closer to polls closing statewide.

In a 5 p.m. update from the Georgia Secretary of State, officials say around 3.9 million Georgians have voted in the midterm, slightly more than half of active voters.

Authorities said they have seen very few delays or problems at polling places, meaning they hopeing for very quick results after polls close.

Two polling places will remain open for a short time after 7 p.m., officials said. Voting at one Gwinnett County location will continue to 7:07 p.m., and one polling place in Mitchell County will stay open until 7:13 p.m.

While a location in Brooks County lost power, poll workers pivoted to emergency backup procedures, meaning there was no disruption to voting.

A judge has approved a request by Gwinnett County officials to give voters at one of the county's polling places a few more minutes to vote after the 7 p.m. deadline.

Officials say a school safety drill briefly paused voting at Precinct 21, located at Norcross' Rockbridge Elementary School in Norcross, for seven minutes.

With the judge's approval, voting will now continue at the polling place on Rockbridge School Road until 7:07 p.m.

Anyone in line at that time will still be able to vote, but those who arrive after 7 p.m. will cast their vote via provisional ballots, which will be separated from other provisional ballots in compliance with state law.

Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.'s only granddaughter is among the millions heading out to the polls today.

Yolanda King voted for the first time at Trinity Presbyterian Church on Tuesday morning.

Flanked by her parents, Martin Luther King III and Arndrea Waters King, the 18-year-old said it was important to her to vote in person on Election Day.

"It is amazing that my parents for so long have been able to represent my voice through their votes or friends who could vote before me or family members," she said. "It's so special that I can finally put my vote out there as Yolanda. As my own person."

Her father says she's always been passionate about the voting process--and that it's special watching her finally get to cast her vote.

"It's a proud moment, and it's a monumental moment because she has been going with us to the polls for years," Martin Luther King III said.

For her mother, watching her now-adult daughter vote means watching her carry on her grandparents' legacy.

"We can feel the weight of history. This is a moment. We feel that bridge between the past and the enormity of the sacrifices,"  Arndrea Waters King said.

Yolanda King says issues including the cost of living, gun violence, homelessness, and attacks on voting rights are what motivated her to get out to the polls.

Though she says she's disappointed by the state of the world, she is proud of her generation and encourages other young people not to be discouraged and still get out and cast their ballot.

"If the vote wasn't important, then how come you have seen not just within our state but just in all the states this pushback and this voter suppression, essentially?" she said. "It's because they know that voting is something important and something that matters. And so that's why voting rights are directly being attacked and have been gutted."

Democrat Keisha Lance Bottoms could end a 250-year streak without a Black woman serving as a state's governor.

Bottoms, the former Atlanta mayor, is running against Republican Rick Jackson, a billionaire businessman, to be governor of Georgia. If she wins, Bottoms would also be Georgia's first governor of color. All 83 of Georgia's previous governors have been white men.

Minnesota could also see the streak ended with tonight's results. Republican Lisa Demuth, the former state House speaker, is going up against longtime Minnesota U.S. Sen. Amy Klobuchar. Whatever the outcome, Minnesota will get its first female governor.

Stacey Abrams is the only Black woman to come close to winning a governor's race when she got the Georgia Democratic Party's nomination in 2018 and 2022. She was defeated in both elections by Republican Brian Kemp.

Atlanta's Magic City strip club is hosting a unique "From the Polls to the Poles" watch party scheduled for when the votes are being counted across Georgia.

The club, famous for its lemon pepper wings, a version of which is named for former Hawks guard Lou Williams, announced on Instagram that it will have special wings and drink specials starting around 9 p.m.

"Election Night at Magic City," the club wrote. "Watch the count. Make the night count."

Commenters quickly responded to the event's announcement, with many calling it one of the reasons they love Atlanta.

Georgia's "I Voted" sticker has been an iconic part of the state's elections for years, and the state is offering a new design for the midterm election.

Atlanta artist Steve Penley created the design for the new stickers, which show the Georgia State Capitol and state flag.

Officials say 5 million stickers featuring the design have been printed and distributed statewide.

Speaking to CBS News Atlanta, Penley said that he was excited to see his sticker when he goes to vote on Tuesday.

"I can't wait to see my sticker because I haven't even seen it in person. I'm going to steal as many as I can if there's nobody looking," he said.

During his 2:30 p.m. update, Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger said that about 775,000 Georgians had voted on Election Day.

"Based on the numbers, it looks like we can have, you know, in the range of 1.4, 1.5 million, because we know it always kinds of peaks when people get out of work," he said.

According to the Secretary of State's Election Data Hub, over 2.8 million Georgians cast their ballot during the state's three weeks of early voting. That's more than a third of all active voters in the state.

Those numbers are much higher than the 2022 record, when around 2.5 million Georgians voted early.

According to Raffensperger, the average wait time at polling places across the state was less than five minutes.

"We just think that's a tremendous trust builder that just really makes the process a lot of fun," he said.

The state election official acknowledged the reports of misleading text messages and encouraged anyone who hasn't voted yet to go to https://mvp.sos.ga.gov/s/ for the latest details about their polling place.

Georgia voters heading to the polls will have their say on three amendments to the state constitution that cover everything from property taxes to emergency response.

If approved, amendment 1 would double the farmland or timberland eligible for a special property tax break from 2,000 to 4,000 acres.

Amendment 2 could turn all of the state's probate judge elections nonpartisan. Currently, those judges in some parts of the state have a party affiliation, though most counties have made their probate court elections nonpartisan through local laws. 

Amendment 3 would allow Georgia lawmakers to dedicate some tax revenue to a dedicated fund to maintain, expand, and upgrade emergency call systems.

Counties across Georgia may also have their own ballot measures. Voters in many metro Atlanta counties will decide whether to renew special sales taxes that go toward education or transportation projects in their area.

President Trump took to X Tuesday afternoon to encourage Georgians to vote for Republican U.S. Senate candidate Mike Collins and gubernatorial candidate Rick Jackson. 

"Mike Collins has my Complete and Total Endorsement to be the next United States Senator from the Great State of Georgia," Mr. Trump wrote. "GET OUT AND VOTE FOR MIKE."

Collins is challenging Democratic incumbent U.S. Sen. Jon Ossoff. Trump initially endorsed the current U.S. representative for Georgia's 10th congressional district back in June during the Senate primary run-offs. 

Trump praised Collins' business background and support for his agenda, highlighting taxes, energy, immigration enforcement, military support and gun rights. He also attacked Ossoff's record and policy positions.

In a separate post, Mr. Trump praised Jackson saying that he "has been a very successful Businessman and Entrepreneur, and will be a tremendous Governor." 

"He is a FANTASTIC person who everyone is very proud of, as am I," Mr. Trump wrote.

A school safety drill briefly paused voting at Rockbridge Elementary School in Norcross on Tuesday morning. Now, Gwinnett County election officials are asking a judge to give voters seven extra minutes to cast their ballots there.

Voting stopped for seven minutes around 10:39 a.m. and has since resumed, county spokesperson Tiffany Sherrod said.

The request would keep Precinct 21, at 6066 Rockbridge School Road NW, open until 7:07 p.m. instead of the usual 7 p.m. closing time. The extension is awaiting a judge's approval.

With the eyes of the nation on Georgia's midterm elections, monitors are heading to the state to ensure the election is accurate and impartial.

In September, the Department of Justice announced it would send 1,000 federal election monitors to polling sites around the country. In Georgia, the department said the monitors will be at locations in Bigg, Chatham, DeKalb, Fulton, and Gwinnett counties.

Justice Department officials have said their monitors won't be armed and will not interfere with voting. Asked about department monitors heading to Georgia, President Trump told a reporter: "They're not going to do anything other than watch."

While the move has been criticized by some organizations, local election officials say they have no issue with the monitors.

"We have nothing to hide. Fulton County welcomes transparency, and we have no issue with the Department of Justice witnessing firsthand the professional, ethical, and meticulous work of our election teams," Fulton County Commissioner and Vice Chair Khadijah Abdur-Rahman said in a statement on Monday. "However, transparency must cut both ways. Given persistent rhetoric and political pressures originating from President Donald Trump and his political allies, the public deserves absolute assurance that federal observers remain entirely objective and nonpartisan."

Polling place disruptions should be reported to local election officials. Violence, threats of violence or intimidation should be reported immediately to police by calling 911, then to the Justice Department.

Voters at Metropolitan Library in Atlanta shared different reasons for casting their ballots Tuesday, from everyday expenses to honoring those who fought for voting rights.

"Honestly, just more prosperity for everybody in the entire nation because everything's so expensive and we're not able to live our lives like we want to," voter Daniel Cora said.

For Hadiyah Ali, voting carries a personal connection to previous generations.

"My ancestors fought for this right, so regardless of what happens, I support them," Ali said.

Ali also told CBS News Atlanta she wants expanded Medicaid coverage for people with disabilities and women.

Carter Center CEO Paige Alexander visited Fulton County's election hub Tuesday. She said the organization's observers are focused on a fair, transparent process rather than which candidates win.

The Atlanta-based organization trained more than 1,000 observers nationwide this year, Alexander said. Its Georgia effort covers about 30 counties on Election Day and will expand to 60 counties for a post-election audit that checks results against paper ballots.

Alexander said the center follows the process from equipment testing through the reviews before and after results are certified. It plans to share its assessment after the election.

Alexander declined to assess specific incidents while voting was underway. She encouraged voters to verify their precinct through the Georgia Secretary of State's website and cast their ballots.

"Just like rain keeps people home, noise can keep people home too," she said.

Alexander said nonpartisan observation helps provide a full accounting of the election process and build public trust.

"We expect that in Georgia and here in Fulton County, it all looks like it's going well," she said.

Democratic gubernatorial candidate Keisha Lance Bottoms joined U.S. Sen. Raphael Warnock in Smyrna on Tuesday to rally volunteers for a final push to get voters to the polls.

At the canvassing event on Cumberland Boulevard SE, Bottoms said campaign teams across Georgia were still knocking on doors, calling voters and sending text messages.

"We can't leave anybody on the field," Bottoms said. "We gotta make sure that we're bringing everybody with us."

Bottoms urged supporters not to become complacent after strong early voting turnout. She encouraged those who had already voted to call others and help them participate.

Warnock emphasized health care and affordability, urging voters to support Bottoms and her pledge to expand Medicaid.

Bottoms said she was proud of her team's work after months of campaigning.

"I hold my head high based on the campaign that we've run, given the odds that we were up against, and the rest is up to God and the people," she said.

The Republican National Committee says it will have extra observers in Fulton County to monitor the counting of early ballots affected by two scanner failures.

Fulton County confirmed that 1,069 ballots, out of more than 328,000 cast, have been identified for possible rescanning after equipment failures at two early voting locations.

The county said its elections director notified the Georgia secretary of state's office, whose voting systems division recommended corrective actions that could include rescanning ballots.

The recommendations require approval from the Fulton County Board of Registration and Elections, which is scheduled to meet at 6:30 p.m. Tuesday. Any approved rescanning would take place in public view, the county said.

"Our team is on the ground and tracking concerns in real time," the RNC said in a post on X.

Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger said earlier Tuesday that the scanner issues would not delay election results.

Fulton County says some voters have reported receiving text messages about polling place changes, but the county did not send them.

Voters should verify their assigned polling location through Georgia's My Voter Page or call Fulton County elections officials at 404-612-7020.

Although it'll be a mainly cloudy Election Day, with a chance of drizzle, that shouldn't keep voters from heading to the polls. Bring an umbrella just in case, but overall, any rain should be little more than a nuisance. Under gray skies, highs will reach the low to mid-70s. With a stiff easterly wind, you may also want a light jacket or sweater.

The next chance for more substantial rain arrives Wednesday, with showers lingering through Thursday and possibly Friday. Sunshine returns for the weekend.

Voters outside First Baptist Church of Smyrna on Tuesday pointed to rising everyday costs and a desire for change as reasons to cast their ballots.

Joe Lattanzi said his father's military service helped shape his commitment to voting in every election. This year, the economy and a Cobb County sales tax proposal were among his concerns.

"Gas prices going up, grocery prices going up," Lattanzi said. "You vote your conscience."

Linda Husser, a renter, cited concerns about housing costs, credit card debt and grocery prices. She said her landlord has not raised her rent in five years, but people she knows face regular increases.

"At some point, it's got to be about the people," Husser said.

Husser also called for congressional term limits and younger leadership. 

Another voter, who identified herself as Sierra, urged people not to dismiss the importance of midterm elections.

"I think that if you want things to change, and you're not doing anything differently to help it change, then you don't get to complain about what happens next," she said.

Georgia Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger said Tuesday morning that approximately 1,000 early ballots in Fulton County would be rescanned after equipment errors, but he does not expect the process to delay election results.

"It's one of those things that can happen, and we always have procedures in place," Raffensperger said during an Election Day briefing.

Raffensperger said statewide turnout had reached 3,137,312 ballots shortly before 10 a.m., including more than 300,000 cast Tuesday morning. He said turnout appeared to be ahead of the same point in the 2022 gubernatorial election.

He reported no late openings in Fulton, Cobb, Gwinnett, DeKalb, Bibb or Clayton counties. One precinct in Mitchell County opened 10 minutes late, he said.

Asked about federal Justice Department election monitors, Raffensperger said they were familiar with Georgia's rules and that their presence had not disrupted voting.

He also urged anyone who had not voted to visit their assigned polling place with an accepted photo ID.

"Polls close at 7 p.m., and if you're in line by 7 p.m., just remember, stay in line," he said. "You will be allowed to vote."

Can you take time off work to vote? What if you requested an absentee ballot but never returned it? Here are answers to common Election Day questions in Georgia.

Does your employer have to give you paid time off to vote?
Georgia law allows eligible employees up to two hours off to vote with reasonable advance notice. Your employer can specify when you take that time, but state law does not require it to be paid. 

Can you vote in person if you never returned your absentee ballot?
Yes. Bring the unused ballot to your assigned polling place so poll workers can cancel it before you vote in person. If you do not have it, ask poll workers about the cancellation process. 

Does a problem verifying your registration mean you cannot vote?
Not necessarily. If you believe you registered properly, you can request a provisional ballot. It will count if county officials confirm your eligibility within three days after Election Day. Follow up promptly with your county elections office about any documents needed. A provisional ballot does not allow you to register on Election Day. 

Do you have to vote in every race?
No. You can leave races blank. The votes you cast in other races will still count.

Can you check voting notes on your phone?
Do not use your phone in the voting booth. Bring handwritten or printed notes instead. Fulton County's voting guidance prohibits cellphones and other electronic devices inside polling places.

Republican gubernatorial candidate Rick Jackson voted in person Tuesday in Forsyth County, saying the experience reinforced his confidence in Georgia's voting system.

"It makes you feel very comfortable in the integrity of our voting system," Jackson said.

Jackson said he had voted absentee in recent elections but wanted to cast his ballot in person while running for governor. He estimated 15 to 20 people were in line and praised workers for their efficiency and professionalism.

"I feel like I've done all I can do. I'm leaving it up to God," Jackson said. "Whatever happens, my purpose in life is for kingdom impact and to help the least of us. No matter what happens, that's what I'll be doing tomorrow."

Fulton County election officials are seeking approval for a revised counting process involving 1,069 early ballots after two scanners malfunctioned, according to a Nov. 3 memo attributed to elections director Nadine Williams.

The proposal, discussed with the Georgia secretary of state's voting systems staff, addresses:

• Hugh C. Conley Recreation Center: A scanner stopped operating Oct. 26 after repeated paper jam errors, despite no apparent jam. It had processed 708 ballots. Officials would transfer its memory cards to another scanner to retrieve the results. If unsuccessful, they would rescan the paper ballots.
• Mechanicsville Library: A voter using a wheelchair accidentally rolled over a scanner's power cable Oct. 21, causing a shutdown. The scanner would not operate after restarting. State staff advised against uploading its memory cards because of possible data corruption, so its 361 paper ballots would be rescanned.

If the elections board approves, work is expected to begin between 7 and 7:30 p.m., after polls close. Staff would announce the process at the county's Election Hub and Operations Center and conduct it in public view, with closer access for authorized observers.

Community organizers in Norcross spent Monday delivering election-protection materials and working to get Hispanic and Latino voters to the polls.

Just over 82,000 Hispanic and Latino voters had cast early ballots statewide, according to the Georgia Secretary of State's office.  In Gwinnett County, they accounted for about 7% of early voting.

The turnout numbers cannot predict the election's outcome.  But Jerry Gonzalez, CEO of the GALEO Impact Fund, sees an engaged electorate.  "Latino voters are paying attention," Gonzalez said.  "We've had a tremendous amount of interest from community members that don't regularly participate in elections."

Elton Garcia-Castillo, civic participation field manager for Latino Community Fund Georgia, was delivering election-protection posters with hotline information to coalition partners preparing to monitor polling places Tuesday.

"We're going to work as poll monitors to observe the polling locations tomorrow for Election Day," Garcia-Castillo said.

His organization's outreach has included helping naturalized voters understand where and how to participate.  Canvassers have also collected surveys about the issues affecting voters' daily lives and what they want changed after the election.  "And so we've been seeing a lot of like, you know, affordability, cost of living is like super high," Garcia-Castillo said.

He also cited concerns about health care premiums.  For some voters, he said, those financial strains are becoming a reason to participate.  "We want to go and participate and vote because we want our elected officials to hear us," he said.

Gonzalez said affordability has long been a priority.  "Affordability issues have been at the top of the issues for Latinos for many, many years."

A shared heritage does not guarantee a shared political choice.  Gonzalez, however, expects Democrats to benefit.  "So I think we're going to see a strong Democratic showing here in Georgia," he said.

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Music, dancing and bubbles greeted voters at polling locations across metro Atlanta on Tuesday as Project HALO volunteers worked to make Election Day a community celebration.

The nonpartisan initiative organized activities at polling locations throughout the area, offering signs, snacks and entertainment to create a welcoming atmosphere for voters and their families.

Assata Davis, who has volunteered with Project HALO several times, helped set up signs carrying messages such as "You belong at the polls."

"We are a nonpartisan organization that helps celebrate voting and encourage voters," Davis said. "So we're stationed at different poll stations around Georgia, and we're just a celebratory presence that you see when you pull up to vote."

For Davis, volunteering also offers an opportunity to connect with people she might not otherwise meet.

"It's so exciting to be able to go out and be stationed at a senior center, and you're seeing just people from all different walks of life and ages and backgrounds coming out to vote," she said.

John Painter, another volunteer, used a measuring wheel to mark the 150-foot boundary around a polling location, helping ensure the group's activities remained outside the restricted area.

"I want to make sure it's a good experience for everybody," Painter said. "Kids love it, pick up stuff, and the parents go and vote."

Read more here

Georgia voters who received absentee ballots for the 2026 midterm elections have until 7 p.m. today to return them to their county election offices.

Completed absentee ballots must be received by election officials before the deadline to be counted. Simply having a ballot postmarked by Election Day is not enough.

Voters can hand-deliver their completed absentee ballots to their county election offices before 7 p.m. However, official ballot drop boxes are only available during designated early voting hours, which ended Oct. 30.

Voters who requested an absentee ballot but haven't returned it can still vote in person today. Poll workers can help cancel their absentee ballot so they can cast a ballot at their assigned polling location.

Different rules and deadlines may apply to military and overseas voters.

As Georgia voters head to the polls this Tuesday, election officials are reminding residents that they must present an acceptable form of photo identification to cast their ballots in person.

Accepted forms of identification include a Georgia driver's license, even if expired, a valid U.S. passport, a Georgia voter ID card, and certain government-issued, military and tribal photo IDs.

Voters who do not have an acceptable photo ID can still cast a provisional ballot. However, they must provide the required identification to their county election office within the state's deadline for that ballot to be counted.

Georgia residents can obtain a free voter ID card from their county registrar's office.

Polls opened at 7 a.m. this Tuesday across Georgia as voters head to the ballot box to decide several closely watched races in the 2026 midterm elections.

Polling locations will remain open until 7 p.m. Anyone in line by 7 p.m. will be allowed to cast a ballot, even if they haven't reached the voting booth when polls close.

On Election Day, Georgia voters must cast their ballots at their assigned polling location, which may be different from the early voting sites they used in previous elections.

Voters can confirm their polling location and check their registration status through the Georgia Secretary of State's My Voter Page.