Mercedes-Benz Stadium, State Farm Arena to open as early polling locations for Jan. 5 runoff

ATLANTA — For the first time, Mercedes-Benz Stadium will open its doors as an early polling location, to provide an early voting site for the Jan. 5 runoff election.

The stadium follows the success of early voting at State Farm Arena for November’s general election.

“The Atlanta Falcons, Atlanta United, Mercedes-Benz Stadium and the Atlanta Hawks will partner with Fulton County to each host a portion of the early voting period for this historic election. Building on the success of the November 3 general election, thousands of voters are expected to cast their ballots between the two venues in December,” AMB Sports and Entertainment said a news release Monday.

[SPECIAL SECTION: Election 2020]

Because of the NFL and NBA seasons, the early voting period will be split between the two venues.

Early voting will be open at State Farm Arena from Dec. 14 to Dec. 19, then at Mercedes Benz Stadium from Dec. 22 to Dec. 30.

There will be no voting at either location on Dec. 21, so election officials can transition from one stadium to the other. There will also be no voting on Dec. 24 and 25.

GEORGIA VOTER GUIDE:

• Key Dates for 2020 Runoff Elections in Georgia
• How to vote by absentee ballot for Georgia’s U.S. Senate runoff elections

“This partnership is a testament to the commitment of the leadership of our professional sports teams in Fulton County,” said Fulton County Chairman Robb Pitts. “More than 40,000 voters cast their ballots at State Farm Arena. Now our residents have a chance to visit another world-class facility right here in our community.”

“We are thrilled to offer Mercedes-Benz Stadium as an early voting location for the Senate runoff election,” said Steve Cannon, CEO of AMB Sports and Entertainment. “Voter awareness and active participation have long been priorities for our organization, and we are thrilled to be able to offer our support and services to Georgia voters.”

The first day of early voting for the Jan. 5 runoff is Dec. 14.

Here are the Georgia runoff voting dates you need to know