All eyes have been on Georgia during the 2020 election. Thanks to countless organizations like Fair Fight (opens in new tab), Black Voters Matter (opens in new tab), and The New Georgia Project (opens in new tab), the state flipped blue (opens in new tab) 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) (opens in new tab) and Jon Ossoff (D) vs. Senator David Perdue (R) (opens in new tab), are facing runoff elections since none of the candidates received a majority of votes, which is required under Georgia law (opens in new tab). 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 (opens in new tab) of Arizona and John Hickenlooper (opens in new tab) 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 (opens in new tab), then fill out an absentee/mail-in ballot request here (opens in new tab).
- 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 (opens in new tab) and the issues Rev. Raphael Warnock prioritizes here (opens in new tab).
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
- VOLUNTEER FOR OSSOFF CAMPAIGN (opens in new tab)
- VOLUNTEER FOR WARNOCK CAMPAIGN (opens in new tab)
- 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
DONATE (opens in new tab)
Jon Ossoff's Campaign
DONATE (opens in new tab)
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.
DONATE (opens in new tab)
The New Georgia Project is a nonpartisan organization that helps Georgians get registered to vote.
DONATE (opens in new tab)
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.
DONATE (opens in new tab)
The Asian Americans Advancing Justice protects the civil and human rights of Asian Americans in Georgia and the Southeast.
DONATE (opens in new tab)
GALEO increases civic engagement and leadership of the Latinx community across Georgia.
DONATE (opens in new tab)
The ACLU of Georgia protects civil liberties in Georgia.
DONATE (opens in new tab)
Common Cause Georgia ensures free and fair elections by protecting voting rights in Georgia.
DONATE (opens in new tab)
ProGeorgia State Table supports the nonprofit organizations that have been leading the work on the ground in the state.
DONATE (opens in new tab)
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