All eyes have been on Georgia during the 2020 election. Thanks to countless organizations like Fair Fight, Black Voters Matter, and The New Georgia Project, the state flipped blue for the first time in 28 years due to an incredible increase in Black voter turnout—specifically Black women and Black youth—but the work isn't done. Two high-profile U.S. Senate races, Reverend Raphael Warnock (D) vs. Senator Kelly Loeffler (R) and Jon Ossoff (D) vs. Senator David Perdue (R), are facing runoff elections since none of the candidates received a majority of votes, which is required under Georgia law. If Ossoff and Warnock defeat their opponents, the Democrats will take back control of the Senate.
Prior to the 2020 election, Republicans held a 53-47 majority in the chamber (plus two independents who historically vote with the Democrats). The Democrats' goal is to pick up four Senate seats, successfully securing two thus far: Captain Mark Kelly of Arizona and John Hickenlooper of Colorado won their races. If both Georgia races are won by the Democrats, they would draw the Senate to a 50-50 tie and Vice President-Elect Kamala Harris would be the tie-breaker.
If you're hoping the Senate flips blue to align with the Democratic president- and vice president-elect along with the U.S. House of Representatives, we've outlined key dates to pay attention to, ways to help even if you live outside of Georgia, and organizations to donate to, below.
Important Deadlines
Georgia residents can start requesting their absentee/mail-in ballot today if they don't want to vote in person at the polls. If you're a Georgia resident, make sure you're registered to vote here, then fill out an absentee/mail-in ballot request here.
- November 18, 2020: Absentee ballots will begin to be mailed out to those who requested one
- December 7, 2020: Voter registration deadline
- December 14, 2020: Early voting begins
- January 5, 2021: Election Day
Candidate Priorities
You can learn about the issues Jon Ossoff prioritizes here and the issues Rev. Raphael Warnock prioritizes here.
How to Help—Even If You Don't Live in GA
- Phone Bank
- Volunteer
- Both Ossoff and Warnock's campaigns have volunteer opportunities outside of phone banking, including hosting a grassroots fundraiser and attending virtual events
- Donate
- If you have the means, choose from the running list of organizations, below, to donate to.
Georgia, thank you. Together, we have changed the course of our state for the better. But our work is not done. Join me in supporting @ReverendWarnock and @ossoff so we can keep up the fight and win the U.S. Senate➡️https://t.co/JTyH1UVEtd #LetsGetItDoneAgain #gapol pic.twitter.com/qH5ZfmsgI7November 7, 2020
Where to Donate To
These organizations, which are all nonpartisan with the exception of Ossoff and Warnock's campaigns, are people-powered and can use all of the funds they can get. Any amount helps!
Rev. Raphael Warnock's Campaign
Jon Ossoff's Campaign
Fair Fight is a national voting rights organization in Georgia founded by Stacey Abrams that fights voter suppression, engages in voter education programs, and helps register voters across the state.
The New Georgia Project is a nonpartisan organization that helps Georgians get registered to vote.
Black Voters Matter advocates for policies to expand voting rights/access, helps increase voter registration through its partnership with organizations across the country, and more.
The Asian Americans Advancing Justice protects the civil and human rights of Asian Americans in Georgia and the Southeast.
GALEO increases civic engagement and leadership of the Latinx community across Georgia.
The ACLU of Georgia protects civil liberties in Georgia.
Common Cause Georgia ensures free and fair elections by protecting voting rights in Georgia.
ProGeorgia State Table supports the nonprofit organizations that have been leading the work on the ground in the state.
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Rachel Epstein is an editor at Marie Claire, where she writes and edits culture, politics, and lifestyle stories ranging from op-eds to profiles to ambitious packages. She also manages the site’s virtual book club, #ReadWithMC. Offline, she’s likely watching a Heat game, finding a new coffee shop, or analyzing your cousin's birth chart—in no particular order.
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