Georgia voters will soon return to the polls for a runoff election on June 16 to cap off what has been a heated primary season.<\/p>\n
This year\u2019s election cycle features a closely-watched race for governor, as Republican Brian Kemp is term-limited and can\u2019t seek re-election. While former Atlanta mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms was able to clinch the Democratic nomination in the May 19 primary, the crowded Republican field will require a runoff election, after Burt Jones and Rick Jackson finished at the top of the pack, but with neither getting more than 50% of the vote.<\/p>\n
The Republican primary for U.S. Senate will also go to a runoff, with the winner getting the chance to face Democratic incumbent Jon Ossoff in the general election in November.<\/p>\n
READ MORE: Georgia Republicans dig in for runoffs for Senate and governor as campaigns go into overtime<\/a> | Georgia voters: What\u2019s on your 2026 ballot?<\/a><\/p>\n Georgia voters do not need to be registered with a particular political party in order to vote in that party\u2019s primary. In fact, party affiliation is not part of the registration process in the state. The state has open primaries, meaning voters can choose which party\u2019s primary ballot they want, when they vote<\/a>. However, if a voter chose one party\u2019s primary ballot in the May 19 primary, they must choose the same party\u2019s ballot for the runoff.<\/p>\n Absentee voting, or vote by mail, is an option for Georgia voters, and you don\u2019t have to be absent from the county on election day in order to use this method. You do have to request an absentee ballot<\/a>, which can be done online or by mail, and the request must be submitted by June 5 for the runoff. <\/p>\n Early voting runs Monday through Friday, June 8-12, though some counties may start their early voting sooner. You can find the dates, locations and times of early voting in your community with the interactive map below, or the county-by-county listing.<\/p>\n On Election Day, Tuesday, June 16th, polls will be open from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Voters must cast their ballot at their assigned precinct.<\/p>\n Whether you are voting early or on election day, you must show one of the following forms of photo identification:<\/p>\n A Georgia driver\u2019s license, even if expired<\/p>\n 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\u00a0<\/p>\n Valid U.S. passport ID\u00a0<\/p>\n Valid U.S. military photo ID\u00a0containing a photograph of the voter<\/p>\n Valid tribal photo ID\u00a0containing a photograph of the voter<\/p>\n