Georgia Sets Early Voting Record Amidst Fiery Senate Debate
Over 180,000 ballots cast on the first day, while candidates Jon Ossoff and Mike Collins trade heated accusations.
Georgia shattered its previous record for midterm election early voting on Tuesday, with more than 180,000 residents casting ballots on the first day of the early voting period. This turnout surpassed the first day of early voting in 2022 by over 55,000 votes, according to state election officials. The early voting schedule is set to continue through October 30.
"This record-breaking turnout proves that voters have confidence in the integrity of our elections," stated Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger. He attributed the high numbers to "our strong election system overseen by 159 of the best county election officials in the country."
The state's closely watched U.S. Senate race also intensified during a debate Tuesday night, the second and final one before the Nov. 3 general election. Democratic Sen. Jon Ossoff accused his Republican challenger, Rep. Mike Collins, of allowing "neo-Nazi propaganda" to be disseminated from his home. Collins, in turn, criticized Ossoff's financial ties to a billionaire with alleged connections to convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.
During the debate, hosted by the Atlanta Press Club and broadcast by Georgia Public Broadcasting, Ossoff pressed Collins to condemn the alleged spread of hateful rhetoric by individuals associated with his campaign, specifically referencing Collins' son-in-law. Ossoff alleged that this rhetoric had persisted despite public backlash.
"How weak a person do you have to be to be unable to stop someone under your own roof from disseminating neo-Nazi propaganda while you run for the Senate?" Ossoff asked, referring to reports about Collins' son-in-law, David Alan Scheer II. Scheer was reportedly the subject of an investigation into his sharing of Nazi propaganda imagery and promotion of antisemitic conspiracy theories.
Collins countered by accusing Ossoff of fueling threats against his family and failing to disavow campaign support from LinkedIn co-founder Reid Hoffman, who has reportedly contributed over $1 million to Ossoff's campaign and a PAC opposing Collins. Collins questioned Ossoff's support for candidates linked to streamer Hasan Piker. "I'm a little tired of this, Jon," Collins stated. "There's a crazy person in jail right now because of your rhetoric," he alleged, adding that he had received another threat the previous day.
Collins directly challenged Ossoff: "You have not denounced, you've not condemned Reid Hoffman, one of your largest donors out there, one that's been supporting you with over $1 million. Why don't you denounce that? Why don't you return that money?"
