ATLANTA — Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger and other state election officials spoke Wednesday at the Capitol, detailing Georgia's record early voting turnout and expressing their confidence ahead of Election Day next Tuesday.
Sec. Raffesnperger issued a pledge to ensure the integrity of the Peach State's results.
"I stand ready to defend the results of the election... we will do our job," Raffensperger said.
Alluding to any possible outcry that may follow the 2024 election in Georgia, with the contentious aftermath of the 2020 election front of mind for many, Raffensperger spoke of sportsmanship and the grace that can be exhibited in winning or losing an election.
He referenced his grandson's baseball game the night before, and how his grandson wound up on the losing team.
"As soon as they came up short and they lost, I knew that they were disappointed, but what they did -- because both teams were good sportsmen -- they lined up, and they did that passing of shaking each other's hand, and said congratulations, good game," Raffensperger said. "I know my son and my daughter-in-law, they're proud to see that from their son. As a grandparent, I'm proud to see that. But also just as an American, I think that's wonderful, because I think that's what America is -- gracefully accepting your win but also gracefully accepting your losses."
You can review 11Alive's stream of the press conference below.
As of Tuesday, Georgia's early voting turnout reached historic levels. According to the secretary's office, over 3 million voters checked in for early in-person voting, surpassing previous years. Tuesday marked the 16thday of early voting, and turnout reached 3.2 million as of 3:30 p.m. that day.
In prior years, the office said that early voting turnout on day 16 was notably lower, totaling 1,352,090 in 2018, 2,148,392 in 2020, and 1,765,317 in 2022. This year's turnout surge has included minimal reports of long wait times, though some metro-area locations reported lines exceeding 30 minutes.
The Secretary of State’s office anticipates an even higher turnout as the early voting period ends on Friday.
Georgia Voter Turnout (as of 10/29/24, 3:30 p.m.)
- Total Turnout: 3,204,666
- Early In-Person: 3,009,204
- Absentee: 195,462
Absentee ballot requests are now closed. Voters who have not submitted an absentee ballot must vote in person either early by Friday or on Election Day.