80,000 Early Votes: Democrats Lead 55-44 as Raffensperger

Georgia voters cast nearly 80,000 early ballots by April 29 morning in the 2026 midterm primary, with Democrats requesting 54.9% of ballots, Republicans 43.5%, and non-partisan 1.6%, according to the new party breakdown tool launched today by Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger. The Election Data Hub upgrade lets users filter turnout data by party on the interactive map, dropping just as early voting hit records: 35,352 on day one, up 29% from 2022's 27,298 and 281% from 2018's 9,266. High turnout and Democratic edge signal intensity in races for governor after Brian Kemp and Jon Ossoff's U.S. Senate seat.

Record Pace Pressures GOP in Open Governor's Race

Early voting started April 27 and runs to May 15 ahead of the May 19 primary. By April 28, over 68,000 ballots were in, per the Secretary of State's office. The first-day surge beat prior midterms handily, driven by competition across the ballot.

The open governor contest tops the ticket. Kemp's departure leaves Republicans defending a prize amid national eyes on Georgia. Democrats see turnout as a path to flip statewide offices they narrowly lost in 2022. All 14 U.S. House seats, most cabinet posts, state Senate and House races, plus locals, fill out a crowded primary.

This volume, tracked daily at the Secretary of State's site, outstrips past cycles where turnout lagged until Election Day.

New Tool Exposes Party Turnout Gaps in Real Time

Raffensperger announced the upgrade Tuesday to the Election Data Hub. Users now filter the Voter Turnout Interactive Map by Republican, Democratic, or non-partisan ballot requests. Data updates live, county by county.

"Transparency is the bedrock of public trust," Raffensperger said. "This tool is another step in our commitment to keeping Georgia the gold standard for election administration."

The feature builds on existing hub tools tracking registration, absentee ballots, and results. Party affiliation comes from primary ballot choice: voters pick one party's slate. Non-partisan opt for independents. Early data shows Democrats outpacing Republicans by 11 points overall, though county splits vary. Atlanta's Democratic strongholds and suburban GOP areas drive the split, per WABE reporting.

• Democratic ballots: 54.9%
• Republican ballots: 43.5%
• Non-partisan: 1.6%

Such granularity lets campaigns adjust ground games fast. High Democratic share echoes 2022 patterns but at higher volume, potentially signaling enthusiasm post-2024.

Dem Edge Tests Republican Hold on Key Seats

Georgia's primaries decide nominees for battlegrounds. The governor race pits multiple Republicans against Democrats hungry for a post-Stacey Abrams breakthrough. Ossoff's Senate seat draws top challengers from both sides, with incumbency no guarantee in polarized Georgia.

U.S. House races span safe seats and tossups, like the 6th and 7th Districts where suburbs flipped in 2022. State legislative maps, redrawn after 2020 census fights, face turnout tests in competitive districts. Cabinet races for attorney general, secretary of state, and others add stakes.

Early numbers favor Democrats so far. But mail and in-person voting patterns shift; Republicans often bank Election Day votes. Still, 80,000 early marks commitment from left-leaning urban and coastal voters.

Live Data Sets Stage for May 19 Showdown

The tool arrives as campaigns crunch numbers. Democrats' lead gives them momentum heading into the final early voting week. Republicans counter with rural turnout machines.

Expect daily updates through May 15. Primary Day is May 19, with runoffs June 16 if no candidate clears 50%. Check the state calendar for deadlines. High early volume points to a decisive, data-rich primary season.