Georgia voters began casting ballots Tuesday as early voting expands across the country, with competitive Senate and gubernatorial races drawing national attention ahead of the November 3 midterm elections.
By yourNEWS Media Newsroom
Early voting opened in Georgia on Tuesday, October 13, marking another major milestone in the 2026 midterm elections as Americans prepare to decide control of Congress and select governors in several closely contested states.
By October 24, voters in all 10 states where the Cook Political Report currently rates at least one Senate or gubernatorial contest as a toss-up will have an opportunity to vote early in person or submit an absentee ballot through an election office.
Those states are Alaska, Georgia, Iowa, Kansas, Maine, Michigan, Nevada, Ohio, Texas and Wisconsin. Cook classifies toss-up races as contests in which neither major party holds a clear advantage.
In Georgia, early voting runs from October 13 through October 30, with residents choosing between former Atlanta Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms, a Democrat, and Republican Rick Jackson in the open governor’s race. Democratic Sen. Jon Ossoff is also seeking reelection against Republican Rep. Mike Collins. Cook rates the governor’s race a toss-up and the Senate contest likely Democratic.
Maine and Ohio opened voting earlier this month. Maine began allowing voters to obtain and cast absentee ballots at municipal clerks’ offices October 4, with in-person absentee voting continuing through October 29. Republican Sen. Susan Collins faces Democrat Troy Jackson in a race classified as a toss-up.
Ohio began early voting October 6, with ballots accepted through November 1. Republican Sen. Jon Husted faces former Democratic Sen. Sherrod Brown, while Republican Vivek Ramaswamy and Democrat Amy Acton are competing for governor. Both contests are rated toss-ups.
Several additional states are opening voting this week.
Iowa begins in-person absentee voting October 14, with Republican Rep. Ashley Hinson facing Democrat Josh Turek for an open Senate seat. Republican Zach Lahn and Democratic State Auditor Rob Sand are also competing to succeed retiring Gov. Kim Reynolds.
Kansas counties may begin advance voting October 14 and must offer it by October 27. Republican Sen. Roger Marshall faces Democrat Adam Hamilton in a race recently moved into the toss-up category, while Republican Ty Masterson and Democrat Cindy Holscher are competing for governor.
North Carolina opens early in-person voting October 15, with former Democratic Gov. Roy Cooper facing Republican Michael Whatley for an open Senate seat. The state permits eligible voters to register and vote during the early voting period, which ends October 31.
Nevada begins early in-person voting October 17, continuing through October 30. Republican Gov. Joe Lombardo is seeking another term against Democratic Attorney General Aaron Ford in a race Cook considers a toss-up.
Alaska and Texas begin early voting October 19.
In Alaska, Republican Sen. Dan Sullivan faces former Democratic Rep. Mary Peltola in a closely contested reelection campaign. The state’s open gubernatorial race features four candidates under its ranked-choice voting system.
Texas voters will choose between Republican Attorney General Ken Paxton and Democratic state Rep. James Talarico in an open Senate race rated a toss-up. Republican Gov. Greg Abbott is also seeking reelection against Democratic state Rep. Gina Hinojosa.
Wisconsin residents may begin casting in-person absentee ballots October 20, depending on municipal schedules. The state’s open gubernatorial contest is also classified as a toss-up.
Michigan’s constitutionally required early voting period begins October 24 and continues through November 1. Democrat Abdul El-Sayed faces Republican former Rep. Mike Rogers for an open Senate seat, while Democratic Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson and Republican Rep. John James are competing for governor.
Other states with significant contests have already started voting. Nebraska opened early in-person voting October 5, while Arizona began early voting October 7. Nebraska Republican Sen. Pete Ricketts faces independent Dan Osborn, and Arizona Democratic Gov. Katie Hobbs is seeking reelection against Republican Rep. Andy Biggs.
The expanding voting calendar comes as election analysts report changes in the national political environment.
On October 6, the Cook Political Report shifted Kansas’ Senate race to toss-up, New Hampshire’s Senate contest to lean Democratic and North Carolina’s race to likely Democratic. The forecaster subsequently moved 18 House races toward Democrats on October 9.
Those classifications describe the forecaster’s assessment of electoral competitiveness rather than determining the outcome of any race.
Republicans currently control both chambers of Congress, making the November elections a significant test of President Donald Trump’s second-term agenda. All 435 House seats and approximately one-third of the Senate will be contested.
Early voting procedures vary by state, including identification requirements, ballot-request deadlines and whether voters may register during the early voting period.
Residents should confirm polling locations and operating hours with their state or local election offices before voting.
Election Day is Tuesday, November 3, 2026.
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