Coastal Georgia voices: Election Day 2026

The Current’s reporters met voters early at Coastal Georgia polls to hear what’s on their minds for this midterm election. Take the tour with them as we update through the day.

Correction: Nov. 3, 2026, 2:50 p.m.: Benjamin Brengman was misidentified in an earlier version of this article.

6:50 A.M. FIRST BAPTIST CHURCH, RICHMOND HILL

Voters arrive before the doors open

Department of Homeland Security officer Ben, 35, is waiting by the door before the polls open. He’s here because of his concerns about fiscal policy and what he sees as socialist programs. 

“The fix isn’t tons of taxes to fund everybody’s problems,” he said. “I can’t say I’m pleased with everything that’s going on right now, but I don’t want the momentum from the previous administration to continue.” He voted Republican down the ballot. (Adithi Vimalanathan)

6:57 A.M.

Chris, 41, and Charissa, 38, are hoping for a red state after today’s election. Though they appreciate Democratic stances on issues like the environment, their votes came down to whether or not candidates were pro-life. 

“We really, really like Corey Foreman,” said Chris. “We talked to him, he’s a great guy, he’s down to earth. But when it came to that, that was the deciding factor.” 

-Adithi Vimalanathan

Amanda Devaul-Fetters, 41, has worked as a poll manager in Georgia since 2023. This year, early voting is the busiest she’s ever seen: last Friday, the line wrapped around Timber Trail with a wait time of 20 minutes. 

Devaul-Fetters said that elections need more poll workers: First Baptist usually has 12 to 14 machines, but is working with six today because there are only six people staffed, including herself.

– Adithi Vimalanathan

6:55 A.M. WEST CHATHAM YMCA

Precincts wake up

At the West Chatham YMCA ten minutes before polls open, there’s three people lined up to vote and nine people working out.

7:28 A.M.

Ten Georgians who came to vote at the West Chatham YMCA in Pooler reflected a wide array of opinions about what issues are crucial this midterm: A medical worker with two kids in high school said affordability and the price of gas was his top issue. A young married couple said they voted to “help get Trump out eventually.” A retired man from Boston who describes himself as conservative said the economy and safety were his two top concerns.

–Margaret Coker

6:56 A.M., JOHN W. STEVENS WETLANDS EDUCATION CENTER, RICHMOND HILL

Benjamin Brengman, who works in IT for Garden City, said he votes every election. “I served the country and this is a way to continue to do that,” he said.

7 A.M.

Keeping an eye out

Migrant Equity Southeast poll monitors Jocelyn Leon and Joselyne Barajas arrive to make sure the polling place opens on time. “We’re just out here making sure everything flows smoothly and to make sure everything seems all right at the voting location,” Barajas said.

7:17 A.M.

It starts to drizzle.

Scot Crosby of Richmond Hill said he always votes. “It’s simple for me, good versus evil,” he said. “That’s what it boils down to for me.” His wife, Belinda, confirmed, “He feels very strongly about his politics.” 

7:31 A.M.

James Brown, who just voted, hops back on his black Schwinn to bicycle the one mile back home in a light rain. His motivation in coming to the polls? “To vote for the right person.” Brown’s was one of 15 votes cast by 7:30.

– Mary Landers

8:15 A.M., POOLER SEVENTH DAY ADVENTIST CHURCH 

Looking for change

Black US Army veteran Sylvia, who moved to Pooler in 2020, pulled up to vote in a gold-colored Cadillac. “We are ready for change in Georgia,” she said. Voting rights are a top issue for her: “I talk to my friends who don’t vote. I don’t understand how they don’t see this is important. ” Sylvia voted for Keisha Lance Bottoms over Rick Jackson – “He’s not ready for this step. He’s doing this to impress Trump.”

Education, healthcare and women’s rights: those are Maia’s why’s this morning at the Savannah Seventh Day Adventist Church polling place. Maia works at multistate child welfare organization Necco helping to place children in foster care homes. She believes all children should have access to pre-K and that in an increasing tech-driven world technical education curriculum should be available to more Georgians. 

-Sarah Harwell

8:16 A.M. WILLIAM C. STROZIER COMMUNITY CENTER, BLOOMINGDALE

‘Civic duty’

Dereall Joyner voted straight Republican, he said. “I always vote. It’s our right and it’s what we expect everyone to do.” This election, the governor’s race was top of mind for Joyner. “Since Kemp’s out we gotta find out if somebody can take his spot. That’s basically it.”  

– Mary Landers

James Nantelle, 35, and Josh Stutz, 30 are hoping for a “blue wave” today. They’re concerned about rising development, school funding and making sure they’re voices are heard. “[I’m] concerned about how things are going in the current administration, and trying to gain a little bit of Democrat power, I think, would do some good right now,” said Stutz.

-Adithi Vimalanathan

8:24 A.M.

Donna Archer wore a blue t-shirt with twin American flags on it to the polling place. She always votes, she said. “It’s a civic duty.”

8:29 a.m.

FedEx driver Sean Williams delivered his vote because “It’s my right and I like to participate every chance I get.”

“I feel if you don’t exercise your rights you shouldn’t be speaking on what’s going on because you’re not doing anything about it. I did my part today coming out to vote.”

– Mary Landers

8:34 A.M., SAVANNAH FIRST SEVENTH-DAY ADVENTIST CHURCH, POOLER

For the ancestors

Dana and Steven Smith and their 8-year-old son Tre came out to vote this morning at Savannah First Seventh-Day Adventist Church in Pooler as a way to honor their ancestors, who Dana says fought to give them the right to cast their ballots on Election Day.

9 A.M., WEST GLYNN, BRUNSWICK

Different views

Bunny Sellers, 69, voted at a West Glynn precinct this morning. She said she voted Republican up and down the ballot because she thinks they have done more for the country and “are not haters.”

Greg Logue, 61, came out to vote because he wanted to keep Republicans in office. “Because I think they’d be the best ones for everything,” he said.

Randy Rill, 70, said he felt compelled to turn out because this could be his last time voting. He said he’s always voted and that this midterm wasn’t going to change that. “I’ve always been Republican, so I didn’t change… Just stuck with it,” he said. 

Dennis Short, 37, came out to vote because he wants change. He said he feels the Democratic Party can bring that. “Better change. They better. They are more for the people,” he said.

-Jabari Gibbs

10:24 A.M., ROTHWELL BAPTIST CHURCH, POOLER

‘My small part’

Matthew McClain, 50, is a senior operations manager with Amazon and says he’s voting to change economic woes nationwide. 

“I work with a lot of folks that are struggling to pay their bills, to make ends meet. The cost of living, inflation has caused people a lot of issues,” he said. “I just want to do my small part to try to help out… to hopefully bring some relief.”

10:28 a.m.

Jeff Beebe, 73, is here because of affordability and corruption. “Too many crooks up there, especially in the Republican Party,” he said. “Gas prices [are] too high for a stupid war, tariffs have drove up through prices… and I feel sorry for the farmers.”

-Adithi Vimalanathan

10:52 A.M., POOLER RECREATION CENTER

‘Our voice matters’

Cuban-American Pooler resident Cari Perez, a retired medical school administrator, voted for one simple reason: “I want the Republicans to win,” she said. 

10:54

The Rev. Sean Brewton is a youth pastor in Savannah who lives in Pooler. He said some people are trying to take away others’ right to vote. “That should be motive enough to vote,” he said. “Our voice matters.”

11:03 A.M.

“I’m tired of the Republican bullshit, to tell the truth,” said retired nurse Irene Boyer. “Especially with Trump. He’s a dictator and he needs to go.”

11:04 a.m.

It’s Brianna Smith’s, 27, first time voting. “I didn’t believe in it, but I’m kind of hopeful,” she said. “I’m hoping that when we make decisions, choosing good representatives, that will also shift not just our society but our city, too.”

– Mary Landers and Adithi Vimalanathan

11 A.M., WILMINGTON ISLAND PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH

Kristen McAdams, 46, a lifelong Savannah resident who has voted since she was 18, said finances and public safety were the biggest issues motivating her to vote Tuesday.

McAdams said she had a smooth experience at the polls, with no lines or problems casting her ballot. Although she initially worried about long wait times, she said the process was quick and easy, and poll workers were polite.

– Justin Taylor

NOON. NEW COVENANT SEVENTH DAY ADVENTIST CHURCH, SAVANNAH

Votes for change

New Covenant is one of two precincts that serve Savannah State students. By mid-morning, students were coming in. Grant Benson said he couldn’t vote early but was determined to vote on Tuesday. “Growing up my parents always took me with them to the polls as a kid. So the value of a vote has been taught to me, and currently within our society we need change for our community.”

Candace Bills, another SSU student said she had researched before voting. “I am doing my diligence in voting and standing up for what is right … Our future is at stake, our livelihood is at stake. So I am here to make my contribution to the community. “

Bolu or “Boluwatife” Aderibigbe said he voted for change. “Everything that is currently going on in the world right now is making me vote, from the recent laws and rulings on women’s productive rights, the issues with immigration. It is time for a change, so I am here to cast my vote for change.”

– Grace Thomas

12:06 P.M. SYCAMORE CHURCH, GEORGETOWN

Steadied by his walker, Willie Hudson made his way into Sycamore Church, a substitute polling place for the under-construction Georgetown Elementary.

“I think it’s going to be a historic event this year,” he said.

12:03 p.m.

Bobbie Torres, 66, says she’s never missed a vote since she’s been eligible and that “it’s imperative that we’re here to vote.” She thinks this year is likely one of the most important elections in a long time because of affordability.

“A lot of people are working, taking on second jobs and still can’t afford to feed their families. I deal with small businesses,” she said. “Small businesses are looking at possibly closing and shutting their doors, because we’re just not for the people right now. And we need to be for the people.”

Compiled by Margaret Coker, Adithi Vimalanathan, Mary Landers, Justin Taylor