It’s election season, Georgia!
This year, we’ll be voting for every seat in the US House of Representatives, one US Senate seat, governor, and dozens of state and local offices. These races can affect everything from your electricity bill to what your kids learn in school.
Before you head to the polls, make sure you’re registered at the Georgia My Voter Page. Voter rolls are regularly updated, so even if you’ve voted before, it’s worth double-checking.
Still have questions? Check out our full 2026 Guide to Voting in Georgia. It covers the candidates in this year’s key races, what ID forms you need to vote, how to find your polling place, and what to do if something goes wrong at the polls. Let’s get into it.
US Senator
What is this race? US Senate terms are six years long. This year, Georgia voters will choose whether to re-elect the current senator, Democrat Jon Ossoff, or replace him with a Republican challenger. Because Georgia went for Donald Trump in 2024, this race is considered one of the most competitive in the country.
What does this person do? Georgia has two US senators. This person works to pass federal legislation with the US House and the President. The Senate votes on Federal Tax Policy, student loan programs, and healthcare subsidies like the Affordable Care Act. Ossoff was one of the deciding votes for the 2021 American Rescue Plan, which sent stimulus checks to millions of Americans during the COVID-19 pandemic.
US Representatives
What is this race? Every member of the US House is up for re-election every two years. Georgia has 14 congressional districts, and voters choose a representative for their specific district. Several seats have no incumbent running: GA-1 (Savannah/Southeast Georgia), GA-10 (Northeast/Central Georgia), and GA-13 (Southeast Atlanta suburbs).
What does this person do? Representatives vote to pass federal laws alongside the Senate. They have the sole power to hold impeachment hearings, and their committees conduct investigations into allegations of misbehavior. Additionally, unlike senators who have the entire state to contend with, they only represent your specific district. This means they fight for federal dollars for your community, like highway funding, FEMA disaster relief, and rural hospital support.
Governor
What is this race? Georgia elects a governor every four years. Incumbent Gov. Brian Kemp is term-limited and cannot run again. This is the first open governor’s race in Georgia since 2018, and both parties are fielding competitive candidates. The race has already cost over $100M.
What does this person do? The governor works with the Georgia General Assembly to pass state laws and policies. They also hold significant power on their own. For example, the governor appoints all 13 members of the State Board of Education, who set curriculum standards for every Georgia public school. They also oversee the Georgia Department of Community Health, which administers Medicaid.
Lieutenant Governor
What is this race? The lieutenant governor is elected every four years as the second-highest executive in Georgia. If the governor is unable to serve for any reason, the lieutenant becomes governor. Current Lt. Gov. Burt Jones is leaving the office to run for governor, so this seat is open.
What does this person do? The lieutenant governor serves as president of the Georgia State Senate, and that comes with real power. Hundreds of bills are introduced in the Georgia Senate every year. The lieutenant governor helps determine which ones actually get a debate on the Senate floor and which ones never see the light of day. A bill to expand Medicaid, cap utility rates, or change voting rules could live or die based on the lieutenant governor.
Secretary of State
What is this race? The Secretary of State is elected every four years. Current Secretary Brad Raffensperger is leaving the office to run for governor, so this seat is open.
What does this person do? The secretary of state oversees all aspects of Georgia’s election process. They can determine whether you can register online, how many drop boxes are available, and how mail-in ballots are processed and verified. After the 2020 election, Raffensperger’s office was at the center of national attention when President Trump called asking him to “find” additional votes. The secretary of state also issues businesses licenses, determining where liquor can be sold or whether someone can practice cosmetology.
Public Service Commissioner
What is this race? The Public Service Commission (PSC) is a five-person board elected statewide, with members serving six-year terms. Several seats are up in 2026.
What does this person do? The PSC regulates Georgia’s public utilities, which means they are Georgia Power’s boss. In 2022, the Republican-led PSC approved a series of rate hikes, resulting in the average Georgia Power customer now paying about $500 more per year than they were just three years ago. In 2025, fed-up Georgia voters flipped two PSC seats from Republican to Democratic control for the first time in 20 years, largely driven by anger over rising electricity bills. The PSC also decides whether Georgia Power must invest in solar, wind, and other clean energy sources, or can continue relying heavily on natural gas and coal.
State School Superintendent
What is this race? The state school superintendent is elected every four years and leads the Georgia Department of Education.
What does this person do? The superintendent works alongside the State Board of Education to set the direction for Georgia’s K-12 public schools.The Superintendent shapes curriculum standards across all Georgia public schools, influencing how subjects like history, science, and health are taught. This office also manages statewide teacher recruitment, directly affecting the quality and availability of educators in Georgia classrooms.
State Supreme Court
What is this race? The State Supreme Court justices will serve as one of nine judged on the highest court of Georgia.
What does this person do? The Georgia State Supreme Court is the final arbiter on Georgia laws. For example, they can determine whether a woman’s abortion violated the state’s six-week ban. They also rule on cases affecting landlords and tenants, zoning laws, and local government authority.
Attorney General
What is this race? The attorney general is Georgia’s top lawyer, representing the state in all legal disputes.
What does this person do? The attorney general decides which legal battles Georgia fights and how, including suing the federal government. The Georgia attorney general has been involved in cases challenging federal environmental laws, immigration policies, and healthcare regulations. Current Attorney General Chris Carr repeatedly sued the Biden administration so that Georgia would not be required to expand Medicaid.
