Georgia is bracing for another close presidential election in 2024, with early voting numbers already shattering previous records. The state, which narrowly swung in favor of Joe Biden in 2020, has become a battleground for both Republicans and Democrats, and the intensity of the fight is reflected in the unprecedented participation in early voting.
Republicans are particularly optimistic, with Lieutenant Governor Burt Jones highlighting the surge in rural counties that overwhelmingly voted for Donald Trump in 2020. “It’s been record turnout, something unbelievable — voting from all across the state,” Jones told Fox News Digital. “I think the enthusiasm, the momentum, is with President Trump.” He pointed to the high number of voters who participated in 2016 but sat out the 2020 election, suggesting a potential surge of support for Trump this time around.
However, Democrats are not ceding the state without a fight. Vice President Kamala Harris, the Democratic presidential nominee, is hoping to replicate Biden’s 2020 victory. The early voting numbers paint a complex picture, with both parties making significant gains.
During the early voting period, over 4 million Georgians cast in-person or absentee ballots – more than half the state’s active voters. Significantly, over 700,000 people who voted early in 2024 did not vote at all in 2020, according to Georgia Votes. This surge in participation, combined with the high turnout in rural areas, gives Republicans reason for hope.
The demographic breakdown of early voters provides further insight into the political dynamics at play. Hispanic voters make up the largest share of those who voted early in 2024 but did not vote in 2020, accounting for 37.6% of that group. This demographic shift could be a significant factor in the election’s outcome.
While the high early voting numbers suggest a motivated electorate, it remains to be seen whether these trends translate into a clear advantage for either party. The final outcome will likely hinge on factors such as turnout on Election Day, the impact of undecided voters, and the effectiveness of each campaign’s get-out-the-vote efforts. Georgia’s 2024 election promises to be a tight race, with both parties vying for every vote in a state that could ultimately decide the outcome of the presidential election.
