Georgia's December 1 Runoff Explained
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Georgia is one of the few states where winning the most votes isn't enough. In a general election, a candidate needs more than 50% of the vote. If no one gets there, the top two candidates meet again in a runoff.
The 2026 runoff
- Runoff day: Tuesday, December 1, 2026, four weeks after the November 3 election.
- Early voting is unusually short this time because of Thanksgiving: Monday, November 23 to Wednesday, November 25. Counties set their own hours and locations.
- Mail ballots must reach your county election office by 7 p.m. on December 1.
- You don't have to have voted on November 3 to vote in the runoff, as long as you're registered. Check your registration, sample ballot and polling place on the Georgia Secretary of State's My Voter Page.
Why it matters
Georgia runoffs have decided control of the Senate before: in January 2021, two runoffs gave Democrats a 50–50 Senate with the vice president's tie-breaking vote. Our runoffs and recounts page shows which 2026 races are headed to a runoff, with the November 3 result, and switches to the runoff count on December 1.
Sources: Georgia Secretary of State, 2026 election calendar (georgia.gov); Southern Poverty Law Center, Georgia runoff FAQs.
Questions and answers
When is Georgia's 2026 runoff?
Tuesday, December 1, 2026. Early voting runs Monday, November 23 to Wednesday, November 25.
Can I vote in the runoff if I didn't vote on November 3?
Yes, as long as you're registered. Check your registration and polling place on the Georgia Secretary of State's My Voter Page.
Why does Georgia hold runoffs?
A candidate in a Georgia general election needs more than 50% of the vote. If no one gets there, the top two meet again in a runoff.