New Georgia First Report Highlights Vulnerabilities in

Georgia’s Democracy and Elections System and Necessary 2026 Steps Toward Stability

The report rates Georgia as “Above Average” while acknowledging growing challenges and persistent threats 

February 2, 2026

Contact: Anna Britt Anna@waxmanstrategies.com

Flowery Branch, Ga., February 2, 2026 — Today, Georgia First released their 2025 Georgia Democracy & Elections Report, providing a snapshot of Georgia’s democracy and elections systems and recommended future steps toward more stability and reliability. While Georgia maintained its rating of “Above Average” in Georgia First’s custom rubric, scores declined in categories such as election integrity, administration, and funding — reflecting ongoing vulnerabilities in the state.

“While the strong bedrock of our democracy endures, it’s clear from our analysis that Georgia faces real threats to the systems that ensure safe, free, and fair elections,” said Natalie Crawford, Georgia First Founder and Executive Director and Chair of the BRIDGE Georgia healthcare coalition. “That’s why our state and local officials must prioritize transparency and commitment to facts over ideology — so Georgia can continue to set a national example for resilient, trustworthy elections.”

Through close analysis of legislative, regulatory, and legal developments, Georgia First identified key persistent challenges facing Georgia’s democracy and elections system, including:

• legislative instability and frequent changes that undermine administrative consistency and voter confidence;
• inadequate funding for new mandates that strains local resources, especially in rural counties; and
• misinformation and inconsistent communication that erode public trust and participation.

To address these challenges and build on areas of strength in its democracy and elections systems, Georgia First provided 2026 recommendations for Georgia. Included in these recommendations — among others — are:

• Stabilizing the legislative and regulatory environment by codifying a 90-day prior to an election cycle blackout period for adopting and implementing new election rules.
• Ensuring sustainable funding by developing a transparent process for evaluating the local fiscal impacts of new state mandates.
• Protecting voter access by maintaining open primaries.

Georgia First’s report release coincides with the release of the Georgia House Blue-Ribbon Study Committee on Election Procedures’ recommendations for election procedures. The Committee — formed to evaluate and identify potential improvements to Georgia’s election laws and administration — called for:

• legislation providing voters with the option to utilize pre-printed, hand-marked paper ballots on Election Day — to ensure compliance with SB 189;
• legislation providing for the procurement of Georgia’s next statewide voting system;
• funding in the FY 2027 budget to allow for the purchasing of a new statewide voting system; and
• extending its own work through 2026.

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About Georgia First

Georgia First is a nonprofit organization committed to preserving and growing the strength and welfare of our state, her people, and our collective future. We are committed to advancing the lives of Georgians by advocating for strong fiscal policies that create a robust middle class, expanding healthcare access and affordability, and standing as a voice above the fray on democracy and elections. More information is at https://georgia1st.org/.