Georgia - What to watch in 2026

Last updated: July, 2026

Georgia continues to enforce some of the nation's most restrictive abortion laws, while many other rights-related policies remain the subject of ongoing political debate. Because many of these policies are set by state law rather than the state constitution, changes in political leadership can directly affect how they are written, enforced, or expanded.

Lawmakers considered redrawing district maps after the U.S. Supreme Court's Voting Rights Act ruling in the spring, but they ultimately declined to move forward during a June special session.

With the governor's office and control of the General Assembly on the ballot, the outcome of the 2026 elections could shape women's rights for years to come.

What’s at stake

Several areas of women’s rights in Georgia could shift depending on future political decisions:

• Abortion policy.
  Georgia currently enforces a restrictive abortion law. Because there is no constitutional protection, future changes will depend directly on the outcome of the governor’s race and control of the state legislature.
• Voting access and participation.
  Georgia continues to debate how elections should be administered and counted. Ongoing legal disputes and future legislative proposals could affect how votes are cast, counted, certified, and how election districts are drawn.

What will be on the ballot - and when

Georgia voters will participate in several elections that will influence how women’s rights laws are written and enforced.

Special Elections

July 28: This special election will fill the vacancy left by David Scott (D), who died on April 22, 2026. If needed, a general runoff is scheduled for August 25, 2026.

August 18: This special election will fill the vacancy left by Eric Swalwell (D), who resigned on April 13, 2026.

General election (November 3, 2026)

• Governor
• Attorney General
• Georgia General Assembly
  • All of the state House seats
  • About half of the state Senate seats
• U.S. House of Representatives (14 seats)
• U.S. Senate (1 seat)

These offices influence whether new laws are introduced or blocked, and how existing laws are enforced across the state.

Election Resources

The following links provide official information about the ballot, voter registration, and elected representatives:

My Voter Page Georgia - check your registration status, find your polling place, and see what specific races will be on your ballot.
Ballotpedia - Georgia elections, 2026

Locate your district's representatives

• Who Represents You - The official director of state legislators

WRDI provides election context to support an informed understanding of how laws and policies change. The organization does not endorse candidates or parties.