Over 20,000 people voted on first day of early voting Monday, a record turnout

ATLANTA — Georgia saw a record turnout of more than 20,000 people on the first day of early voting for the 2022 primary election.

Overall, 27,298 Georgians cast their ballots early or in person on Monday for the first day of this year’s primary. That number is almost double that of the June 2020 primary, 14,950, and three times the 9,266 counted on the first day of the 2018 primary.

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Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger said the day was particularly successful because there no lines despite the turnout.

“Record turnout on the first day of early voting is a testament to an elections system that ensures top-level security and ease of access,” Raffensperger said. “Georgia voters statewide experienced short or nonexistent lines, and a smooth voting process. It remains easy to vote and hard to cheat in Georgia, further disproving the false narrative from Abrams and her allies about the Election Integrity Act of 2021.”

In March 2021, the Georgia legislature passed the Election Integrity Act of 2021, which extended the number of early voting days to 17, including two mandatory Saturdays of voting. The legislation also codified optional Sunday voting into law.

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The legislation also included provisions requiring photo ID for absentee ballots, added “commonsense” regulations to absentee ballot drop boxes and cut down on long lines.

An additional 2,719 absentee ballots have been returned statewide as well.

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