Georgia sees record number of Black voters cast ballots during early voting period

Oct 30, 2024 Story by: Editor

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Georgia is witnessing an unprecedented turnout of Black voters during early voting, with close to 873,000 Black Georgians casting their ballots ahead of Election Day. According to data released by the Secretary of State’s Office, this figure marks a significant milestone in Georgia’s voting history.

In a press conference held on Wednesday morning at the South Steps of the Georgia State Capitol, Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger and Gabriel Sterling, Chief Operating Officer for the Secretary of State’s Office, addressed the media about the upcoming elections and the significance of voter participation. During the conference, The Atlanta Voice questioned Sterling about the high turnout among Black voters and whether he recognized the number of early ballots cast—872,510—as a record.

Although Sterling did not have the exact figures at hand, he noted the trend, suggesting it was likely a groundbreaking turnout. “It’s safe to assume that it has been a record-setting performance by Black voters,” Sterling stated, reflecting on the heightened voter engagement across the state.

Secretary Raffensperger, along with Sterling—both Republicans—emphasized the competitive nature of this election cycle, not only within Georgia but also in other crucial battleground states. Raffensperger commented, “This is going to be a tight election,” adding that voters should prepare for a potentially lengthy election night. “It’s going to be a close election in all battleground states,” he said, advising Georgia’s electorate to anticipate a prolonged Super Tuesday night as results come in.

Georgia’s early voting trend highlights a surge in civic engagement, especially among Black communities, amid a highly charged political atmosphere. This increase reflects broader shifts across the country, where voter mobilization and access to early voting options have driven high turnout. Observers point to recent voting rights initiatives and a heightened awareness of electoral impact as factors contributing to this historic turnout. Source: The Atlanta Voice