# When is the Georgia runoff election?

*Early voting for a runoff would last three days, from November 23 to November 25, 2026, because of the Thanksgiving holiday.*

- Type: Explainer
- Section: Politics
- By: Politics Desk
- Published: 2026-11-12T02:09:18-05:00
- Updated: 2026-11-12T02:09:18-05:00
- URL: https://factsdesk.com/politics/when-is-the-georgia-runoff-election/

## Key facts

- Georgia's general election runoff, if one is needed, is Tuesday, December 1, 2026, with polls open from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Source: [State of Georgia (Georgia.gov)](https://georgia.gov/events/2026-12-01/election-day-general-election-runoff). Confirmed 2026-11-12T02:09:00-05:00. Cite: https://factsdesk.com/politics/when-is-the-georgia-runoff-election/#georgia-s-general-election-runoff-if-one-is-needed-is
- A runoff is held when no candidate receives a majority of the vote in the general election, and the top two finishers advance to it. Source: [State of Georgia (Georgia.gov)](https://georgia.gov/events/2026-12-01/election-day-general-election-runoff). Confirmed 2026-11-12T02:09:00-05:00. Cite: https://factsdesk.com/politics/when-is-the-georgia-runoff-election/#a-runoff-is-held-when-no-candidate-receives-a-majority-of
- Early voting for the general election runoff runs from Monday, November 23, to Wednesday, November 25, 2026. Source: [State of Georgia (Georgia.gov)](https://georgia.gov/events/2026-11-23/general-election-runoff-early-voting). Confirmed 2026-11-12T02:09:00-05:00. Cite: https://factsdesk.com/politics/when-is-the-georgia-runoff-election/#early-voting-for-the-general-election-runoff-runs-from
- Friday, November 20, 2026, is the last day to request an absentee ballot from a county registrar for the runoff. Source: [State of Georgia (Georgia.gov)](https://georgia.gov/events/2026-11-20/last-day-request-absentee-ballots-runoff-election). Confirmed 2026-11-12T02:09:00-05:00. Cite: https://factsdesk.com/politics/when-is-the-georgia-runoff-election/#friday-november-20-2026-is-the-last-day-to-request-an
- The deadline to register to vote in the runoff was Monday, November 2, 2026. Source: [State of Georgia (Georgia.gov)](https://georgia.gov/events/2026-11-02/last-day-register-vote-runoff-election). Confirmed 2026-11-12T02:09:00-05:00. Cite: https://factsdesk.com/politics/when-is-the-georgia-runoff-election/#the-deadline-to-register-to-vote-in-the-runoff-was-monday

Georgia's general election runoff, if one is needed, is on [Tuesday, December 1, 2026](https://georgia.gov/events/2026-12-01/election-day-general-election-runoff), and polls are open from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. The state's [election guide](https://georgia.gov/georgia-election-guide) lists the same date as the runoff for the general election held on November 3, 2026.

## Runoff dates and deadlines

| Step | Date |
| --- | --- |
| [Registration deadline for the runoff](https://georgia.gov/events/2026-11-02/last-day-register-vote-runoff-election) | Monday, November 2, 2026 |
| [Last day to request an absentee ballot](https://georgia.gov/events/2026-11-20/last-day-request-absentee-ballots-runoff-election) | Friday, November 20, 2026 |
| [Early voting](https://georgia.gov/events/2026-11-23/general-election-runoff-early-voting) | Monday, November 23, to Wednesday, November 25, 2026 |
| [Runoff election day](https://georgia.gov/events/2026-12-01/election-day-general-election-runoff) | Tuesday, December 1, 2026, 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. |

The registration deadline has passed, so a person who was not registered by November 2 cannot register in time for this runoff.

## When a runoff is held

The state's [runoff page](https://georgia.gov/events/2026-12-01/election-day-general-election-runoff) says a runoff is held when no candidate receives a majority of the vote in the general election. In that case the top two finishers advance to the runoff. The page does not name the contests that will be decided on December 1.

## How to vote in the runoff

- **Early, in person.** The state's [early voting page](https://georgia.gov/events/2026-11-23/general-election-runoff-early-voting) describes November 23 to November 25 as "a very short early voting window, abbreviated due to the Thanksgiving holiday." A voter can use any early voting location in the county where the voter lives.
- **By mail.** An absentee ballot must be requested from the county registrar by [November 20](https://georgia.gov/events/2026-11-20/last-day-request-absentee-ballots-runoff-election), and the completed and signed ballot must be received by 7 p.m. on December 1 to be counted.
- **On election day.** Registered voters cast a ballot at their assigned precinct on [December 1](https://georgia.gov/events/2026-12-01/election-day-general-election-runoff) and need a valid photo ID. A voter who is in line by 7 p.m. is allowed to vote.

## Sources

1. [Election Day - General Election Runoff](https://georgia.gov/events/2026-12-01/election-day-general-election-runoff), State of Georgia (Georgia.gov), 2026-11-12 (primary source)
2. [Georgia Election Guide](https://georgia.gov/georgia-election-guide), State of Georgia (Georgia.gov), 2026-11-12 (primary source)
3. [General Election Runoff Early Voting](https://georgia.gov/events/2026-11-23/general-election-runoff-early-voting), State of Georgia (Georgia.gov), 2026-11-12 (primary source)
4. [Last Day to Request Absentee Ballots for Runoff Election](https://georgia.gov/events/2026-11-20/last-day-request-absentee-ballots-runoff-election), State of Georgia (Georgia.gov), 2026-11-12 (primary source)
5. [Last Day to Register to Vote in the Runoff Election](https://georgia.gov/events/2026-11-02/last-day-register-vote-runoff-election), State of Georgia (Georgia.gov), 2026-11-12 (primary source)