As darkness lingered over Atlant before sunrise, dozens of voters queued outside the Buckhead Library pollind station on Tuesday (November 3), waiting to cast their ballots as Georgia opened voting in the U.S. midterm elections.

Once a realiably Republican state, Georgia has become on of the nation's most competitive political battlegrounds, drawing intense campaign activity and national attention.

Among the races drawing particular scrunity are Democratic Senator Jon Ossoff's bid for re-election against Republican challenger Mike Collins and the contest for governor, where Democratic nominee Keisha Lance Bottoms is seeking to become the first Black woman elected governor in U.S. history.

Voters who spoke outside the polling station after casting their votes described a strong sense of urgency and a desire for change. Several said they viewed the midterms as a critical turning point fot the country.

Polls in Georgia opened at 7 a.m. and will close at 7 p.m.

DESCRIPCIÓN DE IMÁGENES

"It's about change" - Atlant voters cast ballots as Georgia polls open in key midterm races

VIDEO SHOWS: VOTERS QUEUING OUTSIDE BUCKHEAD LIBRARY POLLING STATION IN ATLANTA BEFORE OPENING / VOTERS CASTING BALLOTS / SOUNDBITE FROM VOTERS

SHOWS: ATLANTA, GEORGIA, UNITED STATES (NOVEMBER 3, 2026) (REUTERS - Access all)

1. VOTERS QUEUING OUTSIDE THE POLLING STATION BEFORE DAWN, BEFORE THE POLLING STATION OPENING

2. SIGN READING (English): “VOTE HERE”

3. VOTERS DRINKING COFFEE WHILE WAITING IN QUEUE

4. POLLING STATION STAFF MEMBERS PREPARING VOTING STATION

5. VOTERS WAITING OUTSIDE/WOMAN ANNOUNCING: "POLLS ARE OPEN, COME ON IN”/VOTERS ENTERING

6. VARIOUS OF VOTERS DOING REGISTRATION/VOTER ACCESS CARD

7. VOTER HEADING OVER TO VOTING BOOTH AFTER REGISTRATION

8. 30-YEAR-OLD ATLANTA RESIDENT, KALYN REEVES WALKING OUT FROM POLLING STATION WITH HER FAMILY

9. (SOUNDBITE) (English) 30-YEAR-OLD ATLANTA RESIDENT, KALYN REEVES, SAYING:

"So I'm here before work to do my civil duty and I think it's important beacuse this midterm election is a turning point and I expect to see a lot of change from voters out here today."

10. VARIOUS OF REEVES FAMIIY DOING VOTER REGISTRATION INSIDE POLLING STATION

11. VARIOUS OF VOTERS INSIDE POLLING STATION

12. NOTICE ON WALL ABOUT RESTRICTED AREA

13. (SOUNDBITE) (English) 51-YEAR-OLD ATLANTA RESIDENT WORKING AT LAW FIRM, MICHELLE ROBINSON, SAYING:

"I'm looking for Keisha Bottoms to win. That's it. I voted straight Democrat. I mean, let's get down to it. I voted straight Democrat. Right now, you know, we've got the Republicans, they're pretty much, kind of running things and the results and not good. The results are definiteley not good. So if you want to make a change, get down here, exercise your right to vote, you know, and let's see what happens."

14. “I VOTED” STICKER ON ROBINSON’S SHIRT

15. VARIOUS OF ROBINSON TAKING PHOTOS OF “VOTE HERE” BANNER

16. SIGN READING (English): “VOTE HERE / BUCKHEAD LIBRARY”

17. (SOUNDBITE) (English) 46-YEAR-OLD ATLANTA RESIDENT WORKING AT MUSEUM, DASHA MCCOY

"I mean, the country, if you're watching American politics around the world, which I know a lot of people are, it feels like we're on the precipice. And I know that people say that a lot, but it really does feel like that now. That if we do not use our voice for who gets elected tonight. This is for future generations. We have to reset the course that the United States is on. The world needs to see out votes. This current administration needs to see our votes. And so we need to be clear about where we stand as a country."

18. “I VOTED” STICKER ON MCCOY’S SHIRT

19. ELECTION OBSERVERS

20. VARIOUS OF VOTERS QUEUING OUTSIDE POLLING STATION

21. (SOUNDBITE) (English) 80-YEAR-OLD ATLANTA RESIDENT, ACTOR, DARN OLDHAM, SAYING:

"Because of what's going on in the country and in the state, but in the country, I just want more Democrats in. The Republicans have shown their true colours. They're not thinking for themselves. They've been thinking for someone else, the head man in charge. That's who they Republicans are thinking like that, and that's not good."

22. DIGITAL SCREEN SHOWING VOTING INSTRUCTION

23. VARIOUS OF VOTERS VOTING INSIDE POLLING STATION

24. SIGN READING: “I VOTE”

25. VOTERS VOTING

26. (SOUNDBITE) (English) 38-YEAR-OLD ATLANTA RESIDENT WORKING IN NON-PROFIT, TYRELL WILLIAMS, SAYING:

"Today is, it's about change. Like I said, I'm not really into politics. I know I'm just out here for the next person. You never know, my vote might count for other people, so I'm just out here trying to support them."

27. SIGN READING (English): “VOTE HERE”

28. EXTERIORS OF BUCKHEAD LIBRARY