Georgia voters have until April 20 to register for the general primary elections, with early voting set to run from April 27 to May 15, leading up to primary election day on May 19.
In-person voters must present a valid form of identification at polling locations. Absentee ballots can be requested through the Georgia Secretary of State website until May 7. Absentee voters must submit their driver's license or identification card number. Individuals can check their registration status on My Voter Page.
The primaries allow voters to choose which candidates will run in the November general election for federal and state positions including races for governor and state senator.
Gov. Brian Kemp’s second and final term will come to a close in January 2027. Eight Republicans and seven Democrats are competing for his seat, including Michael Thurmond, who spoke at Mercer in February.
In the Senate race, Sen. Jon Ossoff will face run one of three Republican candidates, including Derek Dooley, the son of former UGA football coach Vincent Dooley, and Republican U.S. Rep. Mike Collins.
Mercer Votes hosted a panel with Assistant Professor of Political Science Benjamin Hoyt on March 18 to help students prepare for the upcoming elections. The panel drew over a dozen students into Willet Auditorium.
Communications Director Sophia Hall ‘26 and Research Director Brandon Biel ‘26 interviewed Hoyt about the upcoming election and later opened the floor to student questions.
Hoyt said there is a drastic difference in turnout between presidential and midterm elections.
“The gap between presidential and midterm elections over the past few decades has been around 20% or so among the voting-eligible population,” Hoyt said.
He urged students to make their voices heard in the upcoming election, explaining he believed every aspect of life is affected by the political process. Among them, Hoyt said gas prices, sports and AI data centers are all up for a vote, even if they are not explicitly listed on the ballot.
“If people do not get involved in politics, especially through voting, then the inputs that guide elected officials will be distorted,” Hoyt said.
Precious Clark '26 is a Law & Public Policy major with a minor in Political Science. She works at the circulation desk in Tarver Library and Auxiliary Services. When she is not writing for The Mercer Cluster, she enjoys reading, drawing and listening to Tame Impala.
