BRUNSWICK, Ga. — Georgia voters cast final ballots Friday, the last day of early voting in a high-stakes gubernatorial race between Republican Rick Jackson and Democrat Keisha Lance Bottoms, the former mayor of Atlanta.
More than 2 million Georgians have voted early in person, surpassing the total early-voting participation recorded in the 2022 midterm election.
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The final push comes as a recent Atlanta Journal-Constitution poll shows Jackson and Lance Bottoms in a tight contest, as Jackson leads Lance Bottoms 46% to 45%. Lance Bottoms wrapped up a five-day “Georgia’s Voice, Georgia’s Vote” tour across the state, while Jackson urged rural voters to turn out at the polls amid concerns over rural turnout.
Early voting turnout varied across Southeast Georgia counties as the early voting period concluded. Glynn County recorded 20,949 early votes, while Camden County saw 10,735. Ware County logged 4,989 votes, Pierce County registered 4,169, Brantley County reported 2,547, and Charlton County tallied 1,516.
Earlier in the week Jackson encouraged rural supporters to come out to vote fearing low turnout.
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“So basically, I just want to tell you how much I appreciate your support,” Jackson said. “I really would not only like your vote and to tell other people to vote, but I’d like your prayers as well.”
Action News Jax reporter Zion Decoteau covered the campaign stop in Brunswick, where Lance Bottoms spoke at First African Baptist Church. While supporters cheered her arrival inside the sanctuary, a scuffle broke out outside between a Lance Bottoms supporter and a Jackson supporter.
Voters attending the campaign rally highlighted specific issues driving their participation in the governor’s race. Kendra Rolle, a Lance Bottoms supporter from Brunswick, emphasized local medical needs.
“Health care. We have a lot of counties that don’t have just clinics for people to go get special care like OB/GYN’s,” Rolle said.
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Lance Bottoms outlined specific fiscal proposals during her campaign tour, including lowering the state gas tax to $0.28 per gallon and the state diesel tax to $0.31 per gallon. When asked how the state would replace the tax revenue, Lance Bottoms pointed to existing state funds.
“We’ll also take a look at what we have in the budget and what we have left in the reserves,” Lance Bottoms said.
Lance Bottoms also addressed technology infrastructure expansion during her appearance.
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“I wanna make sure that we pause construction on new data centers so we can do a top to bottom assessment,” Lance Bottoms said.
The gubernatorial contest carries national historic implications. In the 250-year history of the United States, voters have elected only three Black governors. Lance Bottoms is one of eight Black candidates running for statewide office in Georgia this year and a victory would make her the nation’s first Black female governor.
Voters head to the polls for Election Day on Tuesday.
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