More than 1.1 million Georgians have cast in-person votes for the 2020 general election.
The total marks a 60% increase from the same point in advanced voting for the 2016 presidential election, according to the secretary of state’s office.
There have also been more than 750,000 absentee ballots filled out by voters and sent back to counties.
After some counties saw lengthy lines on the first day of early voting, Oct. 12, the process has quickened, although the record turnout has continued.
The state identified an issue with the statewide elections network, which was being overloaded by early voting check-ins, voter registration processing and absentee ballot processing.
Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger says the system’s bandwidth has been expanded, leading to faster check-in times.
“For the last week, we’ve had smooth elections, smooth lines – strong lines in some locations – but in other places, people were able to vote without any lines whatsoever,” said Raffensperger.
With a record 7.6 million registered voters in the state, the final 10 days of early voting are expected to be busy as well.
A national organization called Vote Early Day is encouraging Georgians to cast their ballots by this weekend. The group’s Joey Wozniak says this will help voters avoid the largest crowds.
“We want to reduce lines on Election Day itself so that more people will be able to vote then,” said Wozniak. “No. 2, we’re trying to reduce the spread of COVID-19 and make sure that we’re doing our part to cast our ballot early.”
The group is working with thousands of businesses, nonprofits and media outlets to encourage early voting.
All Georgia counties will offer early voting this Saturday, and many counties will have Sunday voting, too.
Some counties are adding — or contemplating adding — early voting sites and voting equipment during the final week to handle another anticipated surge in people coming to the polls.
Early voting ends Oct 30. Absentee ballots must be returned to counties by 7 p.m. on Election Day, Nov. 3.
