A special election has been scheduled for Georgia Senate District 18 following the resignation of Senator John Kennedy. The election will take place on January 20, 2026, covering Crawford, Monroe, Peach, Upson, and parts of Bibb and Houston Counties. If no candidate secures a majority in the initial vote, a runoff will be held on February 17, 2026.
Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger announced the details for candidate qualifying. Prospective candidates can qualify at the Office of Georgia Secretary of State’s Elections Division in Atlanta from December 15 to December 17, 2025. The qualifying fee is set at $400.
Raffensperger stated: “Notice is hereby given that a Special Election shall be held on January 20, 2026, in Crawford, Monroe, Peach, Upson, and portions of Bibb and Houston Counties for Georgia Senate District 18 to fill a vacancy due to the resignation of Senator John Kennedy. A Special Runoff Election, if needed, shall be held on February 17, 2026.
Qualifying for the Georgia Senate District 18 Special Election will be held at the Office of Georgia Secretary of State’s Elections Division, 2 MLK Jr. Dr., Floyd West Tower Suite 802, Atlanta, GA 30334.
The dates and hours of qualifying will be Monday, December 15, 2025, beginning at 9:00 a.m. and ending at 5:00 p.m., Tuesday, December 16, 2025, beginning at 8:00 a.m. and ending at 5:00 p.m., and Wednesday, December 17, 2025, beginning at 8:00 a.m. and ending at 1:00 p.m. The qualifying fee shall be $400.00.
Monday, December 22, 2025 is the last day to register to vote for all persons who are not registered to vote and who desire to vote in the Special Election. Advance in-person absentee voting will begin on Monday, December 29, 2025.”
The deadline for voter registration ahead of this special election is December 22, with advance absentee voting starting on December 29.
