With less than 25 days until Election Day, Monday marked the beginning of the early voting period in the November midterm election cycle.
Black voters, who showed up in record numbers during the primaries in May, are expected to play a major part in the outcome of key statewide races. Affordable housing, crime, jobs, inflation, and health care — including abortion rights — are just some of the important issues weighing on the minds of Black Georgians.
Several Black candidates, including Stacey Abrams, William Boddie Jr., and Janice Laws Robinson, could make history if they win their respective races this fall.
We’ve broken down early voting details for metro Atlanta’s five largest counties.
Here’s what you need to know.
DeKalb County
Dates: Now through Nov. 4
Polling Hours: Monday through Friday, 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.; Saturday (Oct. 22 and Oct. 29), 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.; Sunday (Oct. 23 and Oct. 30), noon to 5 p.m.
Locations: To find one of 15 early voting locations near you, please check out DeKalb County’s elections and voter registration website here. Be sure to check for drop box availability ahead of time.
What to bring: A valid ID, passport, or voter registration card.
Fulton County
Dates: Now through Nov. 4
Polling Hours: Monday through Friday, 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.; Saturday (Oct. 22 and Oct. 29), 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.; Sunday (Oct. 23 and Oct. 30), 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Locations: To find one of the 40 early voting locations near you, please check out Fulton County’s elections website here. Be sure to check for drop box locations ahead of time.
What to bring: A valid ID, passport, or voter registration card.
Clayton County
Dates: Now through Nov. 4
Polling Hours: Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 7 p.m.; Saturday, (Oct. 22 and Oct. 29), 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.; Sunday (Oct. 23 and Oct. 30), noon to 5 p.m.
Locations: To find one of the eight early voting locations near you, head to Clayton County’s election website here. Be sure to check for drop box locations ahead of time.
What to bring: A valid ID, passport, or voter registration card.
Cobb County
Dates: Now through Nov. 4
Polling Hours: Monday through Friday, 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.; Saturday (Oct. 22 and Oct. 29), 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.; Sunday (Oct. 30), noon to 4 p.m.
*Polling sites in Cobb County will be closed on Sunday, Oct. 23*
Locations: To find one of the 13 early voting locations near you, please check out Cobb County’s elections and voter registration website here. Be sure to check for drop box locations ahead of time.
What to bring: A valid ID, passport, or voter registration card.
Gwinnett County
Dates: Now through Nov. 4
Polling Hours: Monday through Friday, 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.; Closed Saturday and Sunday.
Locations: To find one of the 11 early voting locations near you, please check out Gwinnett County’s election and voter registration website here. Be sure to check for drop box locations ahead of time.
What to bring: A valid ID, passport, or voter registration card.