Voting Machine Use Soars as Georgians Enjoy First Early Voting Weekend

(Atlanta) -- Georgians flocked to vote early on the state’s new paper-ballot voting system at the end of the first week of early voting. On Friday, in-person voting surged more than 28 percent as more than 20,000 additional Georgians voted on the new system. Finishing off the state’s gold-standard three weeks of early voting, another 6,000 Georgians took advantage of weekend hours on Saturday and Sunday to cast their ballots. So far, 127,386 voters have cast ballots in total, including 106,342 that have voted in person.

“Georgia’s new paper-ballot voting system continues to run smoothly across the state,” said Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger. “I’m excited to see the new system working well and allowing my fellow Georgians to exercise their fundamental democratic right to vote securely and confidently.”

Through Sunday, 127,386 Georgians voted early in the Presidential Preference Primary, including 44,635 in the Republican Primary and 82,220 in the Democratic Primary. Of those, 106,342 ballots were cast in person, with 33,971 in the Republican Primary and 71,981 in the Democratic Primary. 531 nonpartisan ballots have been cast.

In the first five days of early voting through end of day Friday, 120,766 Georgians had voted early, with 100,340 casting their ballots in person. In the Republican Primary, 43,853 voters cast their ballots in total, 33,324 of whom voted in person. In the Democratic Primary, 76,414 voted early through end of day Friday and 66,653 voted in person. 499 nonpartisan ballots were cast during the same period.

The new system has drawn praise from the media, major political figures, and voters alike. Georgia voters appreciated the printed paper ballot, a feature of the new system, and how quick and easy to use the voting machines are.

What They Are Saying:

Albany Herald: Georgia voting machines draw statewide praise

Rome News-Tribune: Cobb reports high numbers of early voters

Black News Portal: 64,000 Georgians successfully voted early on new voting machines

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