Last day of early voting draws crowds across Cobb

Turnout for early voting in May's primaries is up compared to the May 2024 primaries, which included the primaries for the 2024 presidential race.

This year's primary races feature a slew of state and federal offices, including U.S. Senate and House seats, governor, lieutenant governor, secretary of state, state school superintendent, Public Service Commission, and all of Cobb's legislators in the Georgia General Assembly.

According to numbers from the county and the Georgia Secretary of State's website, 13.6% of voters in Cobb County have shown up to vote early in this year's primaries, more than double the 5.72% who turned out early for the May 2024 primaries.

More ballots have been cast in-person during this year's early voting period than in 2024 as well. For the May 2024 primaries, 58,054 early ballots were cast. That's about 2,000 ballots less than this year's number of 60,110.

However, the May 2024 primaries did see more absentee ballots. That year recorded 6,952 absentee ballots returned, while this year has so far seen just 1,783 returned. Those numbers could change, though, as the county has so far issued 3,078 absentee ballots and voters still have time to return them.

In total, 61,893 votes have been cast in the May primaries so far.

The East Cobb Government Service Center remains the most popular spot for early voting, recording a total of 7,407 ballots so far. Following closely behind is the Tim Lee Senior Center in northeast Cobb with 7,294 ballots cast and the First Baptist Church of Smyrna with 7,015 ballots cast.

Cobb County leaders took to social media on Friday to encourage residents to vote.

Lisa Cupid, chair of the Cobb Board of Commissioners, filmed herself in line to vote at South Cobb Community Center, where she said the wait to vote was about an hour.

"It doesn't feel too bad, we're out here moving," Cupid said.

Mableton Mayor Michael Owens also posted a video outside of the South Cobb Community Center. A line of people outside the building is visible over his shoulder.

"If you want to vote, make sure you have your voice heard," Owens said.

Early voting ends Friday and there is no voting May 16 to 18. Those who still need to vote can go on Election Day on Tuesday. Polls will be open from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. and voters must go to their assigned polling locations.

Voters can confirm their voter registration, see their personal sample ballot, view mail-in application/ballot status, polling location and more by visiting mvp.sos.ga.gov.

Primary runoff elections, if needed, will be held on June 16.

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