More than 16,700 DeKalb County voters cast ballots on Oct. 13, setting a county record for the first day of early voting in a midterm election.

The turnout exceeded the more than 12,000 voters who participated on opening day in 2022, according to county figures reported by The Champion Newspaper.

Georgia also set a statewide record. The secretary of state’s office reported 188,667 opening-day in-person ballots, about 40% more than the 134,962 cast on the equivalent day in 2022. By its Oct. 14 announcement, the state had also accepted 10,267 absentee ballots.

For Brookhaven District 2 voters, the Nov. 3 ballot includes a special election to fill the council seat Jennifer Owens vacated earlier this year.

Conor Sen, appointed July 14, is the only named candidate on the county’s sample ballot. The election will fill the remainder of the term through 2029.

Sen previously served 10 years on Brookhaven’s Planning Commission, including two as chair, according to the city’s appointment announcement.

County commission races also appear on the ballot, depending on where voters live. In District 2, incumbent Democrat Michelle Long Spears faces Republican Ben Pepper. Democrat Keyanna Jones Moore faces Republican Andrea Bass Smith in District 3. Incumbent Democrat LaDena Bolton is unopposed in Super District 7, which represents roughly half the county.

Early voting continues through Friday, Oct. 30. DeKalb voters may use any open early-voting location in the county.

Twenty sites opened Oct. 13. Two additional locations—Living Grace Lutheran Church in Tucker and Wade Walker Park Family YMCA in Stone Mountain—will operate Oct. 26–30 only, according to the county’s announcement.

Remaining voting hours are:

  • Weekdays through Oct. 30: 7 a.m.–7 p.m.
  • Saturday, Oct. 24: 9 a.m.–6 p.m.
  • Sunday, Oct. 25: noon–6 p.m.

Six locations, including Dunwoody Library, have absentee ballot drop boxes inside the buildings. Boxes are accessible only during early-voting hours.

The deadline to request an absentee ballot is Oct. 23. Completed absentee ballots must be received by 7 p.m. on Election Day, Nov. 3.

Residents can find locations and sample ballots through DeKalb County Voter Registration & Elections.