The Senate Battle and the Open Governor's Seat
Chapter 02 - The Senate Battle and the Open Governor's Seat
GEORGIA — In 2026, voters are choosing officials for some of the state's most influential positions.
At the top of the federal ballot is the contest for a United States Senate seat.
Democratic Senator Jon Ossoff is seeking reelection against Republican Congressman Mike Collins.
Ossoff entered the Senate after his victory in the January 2021 runoff election, when Democrats gained two Georgia Senate seats.
Collins is campaigning as the Republican challenger, with support from President Trump and other prominent party figures.
The candidates disagree over national policy, economic priorities, and the administration's record.
Their contest has become a major part of the discussion about which party will control the next Congress.
But that is only one statewide race.
Georgia is also electing a new governor.
Republican Governor Brian Kemp cannot seek another consecutive term under the state's term-limit rules.
The open contest features Democratic former Atlanta Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms and Republican businessman Rick Jackson.
Both candidates are presenting plans concerning Georgia's economy, public services, and the direction of state government.
The differences extend into education, taxes, health care, and other issues that affect residents directly.
Other statewide offices are open as well.
Georgia voters are choosing a lieutenant governor, attorney general, and secretary of state.
They are also voting in contests for all fourteen congressional districts, every seat in the state House, and the full state Senate.
Two Public Service Commission seats are also on the ballot.
That broad selection of contests gives voters numerous reasons to participate.
Someone might be particularly interested in the Senate race.
Another may be focused on the governor's proposals.
Others may care more about state legislators, utility regulation, schools, or the administration of elections.
The total early-vote count does not reveal which issue motivated each person.
But it does establish that participation was already substantial.
Raffensperger noted the importance of the statewide offices during an interview with FOX 5 Atlanta.
He emphasized that the number of major contests gave voters many decisions to make.
And the Secretary of State's Office was preparing for additional turnout through the remainder of the early-voting period.
There is another important distinction.
Georgia's early-vote total combines different kinds of ballots.
Most of the reported votes had been cast in person.
A smaller portion came through absentee voting.
Those methods have different procedures, and officials report participation as ballots are received and recorded.
But neither method reveals the choices marked on the ballots before tabulation.
Georgia's election law also controls when votes can be processed, counted, and reported.
The million-vote milestone therefore says something meaningful about participation.
It does not say which candidate is leading.
And with national political figures preparing to visit the state, the number was becoming part of an increasingly visible campaign conversation.
One former president was expected to appear in Atlanta.
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The sitting president had already visited Georgia.
And both parties were making their arguments before voting ended.
