Election Information
2026 election and voting dates
Voter registration
Early voting
Absentee/mail-in voting
All-mail voting
Voter ID laws
State poll opening and closing times
Ballotpedia's Election Administration Legislation Tracker
Select a state from the menu below to learn more about its election administration.
AlabamaAlaskaArizonaArkansasCaliforniaColoradoConnecticutDelawareFloridaGeorgiaHawaiiIdahoIllinoisIndianaIowaKansasKentuckyLouisianaMaineMarylandMassachusettsMichiganMinnesotaMississippiMissouriMontanaNebraskaNevadaNew HampshireNew JerseyNew MexicoNew YorkNorth CarolinaNorth DakotaOhioOklahomaOregonPennsylvaniaRhode IslandSouth CarolinaSouth DakotaTennesseeTexasUtahVermontVirginiaWashingtonWest VirginiaWisconsinWyomingSubmit

Anelection recount is a process by which votes cast in an election are re-tabulated to verify the accuracy of the original results. Recounts typically occur in the event of a close margin of victory, following accusations of election fraud, or due to the possibility of administrative errors. Recounts can either occur automatically or be requested by a candidate or voters.

Georgia law does not allow for automatic recounts. A candidate may request a recount if the margin between candidates is less than or equal to 0.5%. Elections officials, the Constitutional Amendment Publication Board, and the secretary of state may also request a recount under certain circumstances. The Georgia Secretary of State has said the state pays any recount costs.

Summary of recount laws

The list below shows answers to common questions regarding recounts in Georgia.^[1]

• Does state law require automatic recounts?
  • No.

• When must an automatic recount be completed?
  • There are no automatic recounts in this state.

• Can a recount be requested?
  • Yes. Election officials, including the secretary of state, may request recounts under certain circumstances explainedbelow. These recounts may be conducted before the certification of election results. A losing candidate may also request a recount if the margin is less than or equal to 0.5%. There are no set deadlines for the completion of a candidate-requested recount.

• Who pays for a requested recount?
  • State law does not specify who is responsible for costs associated with a requested recount but the secretary of state's office has indicated that the state covers all costs.^[2]

• Is a refund available for requested recount costs?
  • Not applicable. According to the Secretary of State, the state covers the cost of requested recounts.^[3]

• Can a partial recount be requested?
  • Yes.

Georgia recount procedures

Automatic recount procedures

Georgia does not require automatic recounts.

Requested recount procedures

Under Georgia law, recounts may be requested under the following conditions:^[4]

• A candidate may request a recount within two business days following the certification of results if the margin between candidates is less than or equal to 0.5%.
• An election official may order, at his or her discretion, a recount if it appears there is a discrepancy or error in the returns. In precincts using paper or scanned ballots, any candidate or political party may petition the election official to make such an order. In precincts using voting machines, any three electors of the precinct may do the same.
• For constitutional amendments and binding referendum questions, the Constitutional Amendment Publication Board may, at its discretion, request a recount if the margin is less than or equal to 0.5% within two business days following the certification of results.
• The secretary of state may request a recount at his or her discretion if a candidate for federal or state office petitions the office regarding an apparent discrepancy or error in the returns.

State law specifies neither deadlines for completion nor who is responsible for requested recount costs. The group Verified Voter writes that "according to the Office of the Georgia Secretary of State, for recounts authorized under Title 21, the petitioners are not responsible for any of the costs incurred by election officials."^[5]

For more information about recount procedures in Georgia,click here.

Georgia voting equipment

See also:Voting methods and equipment by state

Georgia uses ballot-marking devices for all voters.^[6]

Noteworthy events

Presidential vote in Georgia (2020)

See also:Presidential election in Georgia, 2020

On November 6, 2020, Secretary of StateBrad Raffensperger (R) said that a statewide recount was likely due to the narrow margin of votes separating PresidentDonald Trump (R) from former Vice PresidentJoe Biden (D). Raffensperger said, "This process is and will remain open and transparent to monitors."^[7]

The Trump campaign appointed Rep.Doug Collins (R) to lead the campaign's recount efforts. On November 10, 2020, Collins filed the following formal requests with Raffensperger:^[8][9][10]

• "There must be a full comparison of absentee ballots cast and in-person and provisional ballots cast throughout the state."
• "[T]here must be a check for felons and other ineligible persons who m ay have cast a ballot.
• "[The] Secretary of state should announce a full hand-count of every ballot cast in each and every county due to widespread allegations of voter irregularities, issues with voting machines, and poll watcher access."

On November 11, 2020, Raffensperger announced that Georgia would conduct a hand-count audit of its presidential election results. The target date for completing the audit was November 20, 2020, the state's certification deadline.^[11]

On November 19, 2020, Raffensperger announced the results of the hand-count audit, which confirmed Biden's victory over Trump. The audit revealed a 0.1053 percent discrepancy in the statewide vote total, and a 0.0099 percent variation in the margin of victory, between the hand count and the initial machine count. The audit uncovered approximately 5,000 ballots that were not tallied during the initial machine count, which election officials attributed to human error. This resulted in a net gain of 1,272 votes for Trump.^[12][13]

On November 21, the Trump campaign requested a recount. That recount was conducted by rescanning ballots through tabulation machines, in contrast with the hand-count audit that concluded on November 19, 2020. The machine recount ended on December 4, 2020. The outcome of the race was unchanged, and Raffensperger recertified the results on December 7, 2020.^[14][15][16]

50-state overview of recount laws

The table below summarizes where state laws allow for automatic and requested recounts. Click "show" to view the table.

As of September 2025, state law in 48 states included a recount provision, automatic recounts are possible in 28 states, and requested recounts are possible in 43 states.

The map and table below outline the type of recount laws in each state.

50-state overview of requested recounts

The table below summarizes how requested recounts are paid for and whether it is possible for candidates to request a partial recount. Click "show" to view the table.

As of September 2025, the requester of a recount pays for the recount in 23 states, the state pays in seven states, in 11 states it depends on the circumstances of the election or the recount, and in two states it is unclear which party pays for the recount. In 27 states a refund may be available for a requested recount, in four states a refund depends on the circumstances of the recount, and in five states no refund is available. The remaining 14 states have state-funded requested recounts or do not have requested recounts. In 27 states a partial recount may be requested.

State legislation

The table below lists bills related to recounts introduced during (or carried over to) Georgia's regular legislative session this year. The following information is included for each bill:

• State
• Bill number
• Official bill name or caption
• Most recent action date
• Legislative status
• Sponsor party
• Topics dealt with by the bill

Bills are organized by most recent action. The table displays up to 100 results. To view more bills, use the arrows in the upper-right corner. Clicking on a bill will open its page onBallotpedia's Election Administration Legislation Tracker, which includes bill details and a summary.

See also

• Election recount laws and procedures in the 50 states, 2020
• Voting in Georgia
• Georgia
• Voting methods and equipment by state

Footnotes

v • e Ballotpedia's 2020 Election Help Desk General information General election questions:Who runs elections in the United States? •Why do states have different election rules? •What methods do states use to prevent election fraud? •Do you have to vote for everything on your ballot? •What happens if you mark outside the lines or use the wrong pen/pencil? •What is a spoiled ballot? •What is a write-in candidate? •How can I check the status of my ballot? •Can I take a ballot selfie? Disputed results Disputed results:Presidential election lawsuits and recounts •Post-election lawsuits Presidential election Presidential election help desk:Who is the president if election results are unknown by January 20, 2021? •What happens if there is a tie in the Electoral College? •What happens if a presidential nominee becomes incapacitated before the election? •What happens if the winning presidential candidate becomes incapacitated before taking office? •What are faithless electors in the Electoral College? •What are the steps and deadlines for electing the President of the United States? •What happens if a presidential candidate declares victory in the 2020 election before results are final? •Can presidential candidates win the election if they have already conceded? •Can members of Congress object to Electoral College results? Absentee and mail voting Absentee/mail-in voting:Eligibility •Request deadlines •Request requirements •Return deadlines •Signature and witness requirements •Life cycle of an absentee/mail-in ballot •Processing, counting, and challenging ballots •When can states begin processing and counting ballots •What happens if I vote by mail and want to change my ballot at a later date? •What happens if someone votes by mail and then tries to vote in person? • How do states protect and verify absentee/mail-in ballots? •How do election workers match signatures? •Do absentee/mail-in ballots take longer to count than in-person ballots? •Are results reported on election night coming from in-person or absentee/mail-in votes? •Do states report how many mail-in/absentee ballots are outstanding on election night? •What happens if someone votes by mail-in ballot or absentee ballot and subsequently passes away before Election Day? Analysis, 2016-2018 •Counted ballots, 2016-2018 •Rejected ballots, 2016-2018 •Uncalled races, 2018 Election results certification Results and certification help desk:Election results certification dates, 2020 •How and when are election results finalized? •What happens if candidates declare victory in the 2020 election before results are final? •Can candidates win an election if they have already conceded? •How do major media outlets declare winners? Disputing election results Disputing results help desk:What are poll watchers? • What does it mean to challenge a voter's eligibility, and who can do it? •How will election recounts work? •How close does an election have to be to trigger an automatic recount? •Can a candidate or voter request a recount? •Who pays for recounts and election challenges? •Who can file election-related lawsuits? •What is a redo election? •What are the reasons to call a redo election? •Who can call a redo election? •Can a redo be held for a presidential election? •What kinds of issues can election-related lawsuits address? Recount laws by state •Recount margin requirements by state Transition Officeholder transitions help desk:Who is the president if election results are unknown by January 20, 2021? •Who serves in Congress if election results are unknown by January 2021? •Who serves in a state or local government if election results are unknown? Other Election Day resource guide •Articles about potential scenarios in the 2020 election •U.S. Supreme Court actions affecting the November 3, 2020, general election Voting in 2020 Voting in 2020:Voter ID requirements •State election websites •Early voting dates •Voter registration requirements •Voter registration deadlines •Same-day registration • States that require employers to grant employees time off to vote •Election results certification dates •Recount laws by state •Poll opening and closing times

v • e Election policy Election legislation Ballotpedia's Election Administration Legislation Tracker •Ballotpedia's The Ballot Bulletin •Election legislation tracking: list of sub-topics •Absentee/mail-in voting •Early voting •Election dates and deadlines •Election Day voting •Ranked-choice voting •Redistricting •Voter registration Election administration Alabama •Alaska •Arizona •Arkansas •California •Colorado •Connecticut •Delaware •Florida •Georgia •Hawaii •Idaho •Illinois •Indiana •Iowa •Kansas •Kentucky •Louisiana •Maine •Maryland •Massachusetts •Michigan •Minnesota •Mississippi •Missouri •Montana •Nebraska •Nevada •New Hampshire •New Jersey •New Mexico •New York •North Carolina •North Dakota •Ohio •Oklahoma •Oregon •Pennsylvania •Rhode Island •South Carolina •South Dakota •Tennessee •Texas •Utah •Vermont •Virginia •Washington •Washington, D.C. •West Virginia •Wisconsin •Wyoming Voting policy Alabama •Alaska •Arizona •Arkansas •California •Colorado •Connecticut •Delaware •Florida •Georgia •Hawaii •Idaho •Illinois •Indiana •Iowa •Kansas •Kentucky •Louisiana •Maine •Maryland •Massachusetts •Michigan •Minnesota •Mississippi •Missouri •Montana •Nebraska •Nevada •New Hampshire •New Jersey •New Mexico •New York •North Carolina •North Dakota •Ohio •Oklahoma •Oregon •Pennsylvania •Rhode Island •South Carolina •South Dakota •Tennessee •Texas •Utah •Vermont •Virginia •Washington •West Virginia •Wisconsin •Wyoming Electoral systems policy Alabama •Alaska •Arizona •Arkansas •California •Colorado •Connecticut •Delaware •Florida •Georgia •Hawaii •Idaho •Illinois •Indiana •Iowa •Kansas •Kentucky •Louisiana •Maine •Maryland •Massachusetts •Michigan •Minnesota •Mississippi •Missouri •Montana •Nebraska •Nevada •New Hampshire •New Jersey •New Mexico •New York •North Carolina •North Dakota •Ohio •Oklahoma •Oregon •Pennsylvania •Rhode Island •South Carolina •South Dakota •Tennessee •Texas •Utah •Vermont •Virginia •Washington •West Virginia •Wisconsin •Wyoming Primary elections policy Alabama •Alaska •Arizona •Arkansas •California •Colorado •Connecticut •Delaware •Florida •Georgia •Hawaii •Idaho •Illinois •Indiana •Iowa •Kansas •Kentucky •Louisiana •Maine •Maryland •Massachusetts •Michigan •Minnesota •Mississippi •Missouri •Montana •Nebraska •Nevada •New Hampshire •New Jersey •New Mexico •New York •North Carolina •North Dakota •Ohio •Oklahoma •Oregon •Pennsylvania •Rhode Island •South Carolina •South Dakota •Tennessee •Texas •Utah •Vermont •Virginia •Washington •West Virginia •Wisconsin •Wyoming Redistricting policy Alabama •Alaska •Arizona •Arkansas •California •Colorado •Connecticut •Delaware •Florida •Georgia •Hawaii •Idaho •Illinois •Indiana •Iowa •Kansas •Kentucky •Louisiana •Maine •Maryland •Massachusetts •Michigan •Minnesota •Mississippi •Missouri •Montana •Nebraska •Nevada •New Hampshire •New Jersey •New Mexico •New York •North Carolina •North Dakota •Ohio •Oklahoma •Oregon •Pennsylvania •Rhode Island •South Carolina •South Dakota •Tennessee •Texas •Utah •Vermont •Virginia •Washington •West Virginia •Wisconsin •Wyoming Recount laws Alabama •Alaska •Arizona •Arkansas •California •Colorado •Connecticut •Delaware •Florida •Georgia •Hawaii •Idaho •Illinois •Indiana •Iowa •Kansas •Kentucky •Louisiana •Maine •Maryland •Massachusetts •Michigan •Minnesota •Mississippi •Missouri •Montana •Nebraska •Nevada •New Hampshire •New Jersey •New Mexico •New York •North Carolina •North Dakota •Ohio •Oklahoma •Oregon •Pennsylvania •Rhode Island •South Carolina •South Dakota •Tennessee •Texas •Utah •Vermont •Virginia •Washington •West Virginia •Wisconsin •Wyoming Ballot access for political candidates Alabama •Alaska •Arizona •Arkansas •California •Colorado •Connecticut •Delaware •Florida •Georgia •Hawaii •Idaho •Illinois •Indiana •Iowa •Kansas •Kentucky •Louisiana •Maine •Maryland •Massachusetts •Michigan •Minnesota •Mississippi •Missouri •Montana •Nebraska •Nevada •New Hampshire •New Jersey •New Mexico •New York •North Carolina •North Dakota •Ohio •Oklahoma •Oregon •Pennsylvania •Rhode Island •South Carolina •South Dakota •Tennessee •Texas •Utah •Vermont •Virginia •Washington •West Virginia •Wisconsin •Wyoming Ballot access for presidential candidates Alabama •Alaska •Arizona •Arkansas •California •Colorado •Connecticut •Delaware •Florida •Georgia •Hawaii •Idaho •Illinois •Indiana •Iowa •Kansas •Kentucky •Louisiana •Maine •Maryland •Massachusetts •Michigan •Minnesota •Mississippi •Missouri •Montana •Nebraska •Nevada •New Hampshire •New Jersey •New Mexico •New York •North Carolina •North Dakota •Ohio •Oklahoma •Oregon •Pennsylvania •Rhode Island •South Carolina •South Dakota •Tennessee •Texas •Utah •Vermont •Virginia •Washington •West Virginia •Wisconsin •Wyoming Ballot access for political parties Alabama •Alaska •Arizona •Arkansas •California •Colorado •Connecticut •Delaware •Florida •Georgia •Hawaii •Idaho •Illinois •Indiana •Iowa •Kansas •Kentucky •Louisiana •Maine •Maryland •Massachusetts •Michigan •Minnesota •Mississippi •Missouri •Montana •Nebraska •Nevada •New Hampshire •New Jersey •New Mexico •New York •North Carolina •North Dakota •Ohio •Oklahoma •Oregon •Pennsylvania •Rhode Island •South Carolina •South Dakota •Tennessee •Texas •Utah •Vermont •Virginia •Washington •West Virginia •Wisconsin •Wyoming Electoral systems Single-winner system •Multi-winner system •Block voting system •Plurality voting system •Majority voting system •Top-two primary •Blanket primary •Open primary •Closed primary •Semi-closed primary •Top-four primary •Ranked-choice voting (RCV) •STAR voting •Approval voting •Fusion voting