Carter Center Observes Well-Conducted Results Tabulation Processes in Georgia’s 2026 General Election

ATLANTA (Nov. 6, 2026) – The Carter Center completed the first phase of its nonpartisan observation of Georgia’s 2026 general election on Nov. 3, covering absentee and in-person vote tabulation and the reporting of results at 31 county election offices across the state.

Observers found that these processes went smoothly, with no significant issues identified. Together, the observed counties serve more than 64% of Georgia’s registered voters and reflect the state’s considerable demographic, geographic, and political diversity.

On Election Day, the Center deployed 70 trained, nonpartisan observers to watch tabulation procedures, which are open to the public under Georgia law. The observers worked in teams to watch three critical parts of the election process: absentee ballot processing and tabulation; results reporting for advance in-person ballots; and results reporting for ballots cast in person on Election Day. The observers also assessed the accessibility of vote tabulation sites for people with disabilities.

Overall, observers reported that election officials conducted their work with care, paying attention to both general transparency and specific integrity requirements like chain-of-custody protocols. Despite increased scrutiny of Georgia’s elections from federal and local stakeholders, no significant security incidents or disruptions were documented. The Center’s observers were received professionally by Georgia’s capable election officials and were able to conduct their observation without hindrance. In a few locations, Carter Center observers noted that public access was insufficient to view tabulation procedures fully. However, they also reported that party poll watchers did have sufficient access, maintaining overall transparency. No incidents of inappropriate behavior by party poll watchers or others were observed.

Although the Center was able to utilize public access for this observation effort, we encourage the state of Georgia to consider legal reform to enable accredited nonpartisan observers the same access to election processes that party poll watchers currently enjoy. This would enhance transparency and allow an additional avenue for public participation.

The Election Day work built on pilot observations in 18 counties from March to July 2026 during the primaries and runoffs, as well as two special elections for the U.S. House of Representatives. In the next phase, the Center will observe the risk-limiting audit in counties across Georgia starting Nov. 12. Following the conclusion of the 2026 election cycle, The Carter Center will release a final, public report that includes an analysis of its observation findings and recommendations to further improve Georgia’s electoral process.

A global leader in nonpartisan election observation, The Carter Center has conducted 128 election observation missions in 40 countries and three Native American nations since 1989. These impartial missions use internationally recognized methods to assess whether elections are fair, peaceful, and credible, regardless of the outcome. The Center’s U.S. observation program, begun in 2020, is supporting observation in five states in 2026: Georgia, Michigan, Montana, Nevada, and New Mexico.

Contact: media@cartercenter.org