Call
the Map
Forecast6 days out
← GovernorsNovember 3, 2026

Georgia · Governor

Rick Jackson is slightly favored to finish ahead in Georgia’s November vote. Predicted first-round margin: R+1.8.

Keisha Lance Bottoms (D)39 in 10048.644.4–52.7
Rick Jackson (R)61 in 10050.446.3–54.6

Under each share, its likely range (80 in 100 simulations)

Background

Kemp term-limited. Bottoms vs. political newcomer Rick Jackson, who beat Lt. Gov. Burt Jones in a June GOP upset.

Tilt ROpen seat

Forecast history

Steady+0.3 pts · Oct 26 → Oct 28Georgia Governor: steady — the published margin moved +0.3 points between the Oct 26 and Oct 28 editions (3 of 47 stored editions). This is movement of the published forecast between editions.
D+5EVENAug 1Nov 3 · Election Day

Latest reading · Oct 28 · first published Sep 9 · 80% range · margin points R+10.2 to D+6.4. Methodology

 

About this series

Reconstructed with the current model Aug 1 – Sep 8 and Sep 16 – Sep 18; published readings Sep 9 – Oct 28. Each reconstructed day is the current model on that day’s own inputs, not a forecast published then. Corrections are dated in the changelog.

Faded: CTMM 2.2 reconstructed history: computed after the fact with each date's available polls and environment, without expert ratings; not an issued forecast. Issued forecasts begin at the launch marker.

CTMM 2.2 readings for 2026-09-16, 2026-09-17, 2026-09-18 were computed after the fact with each day's available inputs: no edition was issued on those days. Not an issued forecast.

Data table
DateMarginChance80% rangeReading
Oct 28R+1.8R win 61.2%R+10.2 to D+6.4Published forecast
Oct 27R+2.2R win 63.5%R+10.5 to D+6.0Published forecast
Oct 26R+2.2R win 63.4%R+10.5 to D+6.1Published forecast
Oct 25R+2.2R win 63.2%R+10.5 to D+6.1Published forecast
Oct 24R+2.2R win 63.0%R+10.5 to D+6.2Published forecast
Oct 23R+2.1R win 62.8%R+10.4 to D+6.2Published forecast
Oct 22R+2.1R win 62.5%R+10.4 to D+6.2Published forecast
Oct 21R+2.1R win 62.3%R+10.4 to D+6.3Published forecast
Oct 20R+1.9R win 61.6%R+10.3 to D+6.4Published forecast
Oct 19R+1.6R win 59.3%R+9.9 to D+6.8Published forecast
Oct 18R+1.5R win 59.1%R+9.9 to D+6.8Published forecast
Oct 17R+1.5R win 58.9%R+9.8 to D+6.9Published forecast
Oct 16R+1.5R win 59.1%R+9.8 to D+6.9Published forecast
Oct 15R+1.4R win 58.9%R+9.8 to D+6.9Published forecast
Oct 14R+1.4R win 58.4%R+9.7 to D+7.0Published forecast
Oct 13R+1.3R win 58.3%R+9.7 to D+7.0Published forecast
Oct 12R+1.3R win 57.9%R+9.7 to D+7.1Published forecast
Oct 11R+1.3R win 57.9%R+9.7 to D+7.1Published forecast
Oct 10R+1.3R win 57.7%R+9.6 to D+7.1Published forecast
Oct 9R+1.2R win 57.6%R+9.6 to D+7.2Published forecast
Oct 8R+1.2R win 57.4%R+9.6 to D+7.2Published forecast
Oct 7R+1.2R win 57.3%R+9.6 to D+7.2Published forecast
Oct 6R+1.2R win 57.1%R+9.6 to D+7.3Published forecast
Oct 5R+1.1R win 57.2%R+9.5 to D+7.3Published forecast
Oct 4R+0.8R win 55.2%R+9.2 to D+7.6Published forecast
Oct 3R+0.8R win 54.7%R+9.2 to D+7.7Published forecast
Oct 2R+0.7R win 54.4%R+9.2 to D+7.7Published forecast
Oct 1R+0.7R win 54.3%R+9.2 to D+7.7Published forecast
Sep 30R+0.7R win 54.4%R+9.1 to D+7.8Published forecast
Sep 29R+0.7R win 54.3%R+9.1 to D+7.8Published forecast
Sep 28R+0.6R win 53.8%R+9.1 to D+7.8Published forecast
Sep 27R+0.6R win 53.1%R+9.1 to D+7.9Published forecast
Sep 26R+0.6R win 53.7%R+9.1 to D+7.9Published forecast
Sep 25D+0.2D win 51.0%R+8.3 to D+8.6Published forecast
Sep 24EVEND win 49.8%R+8.4 to D+8.5Published forecast
Sep 23D+0.9D win 55.2%R+7.7 to D+9.5Published forecast
Sep 22D+1.0D win 55.8%R+7.6 to D+9.6Published forecast
Sep 21D+1.0D win 55.8%R+7.6 to D+9.6Published forecast
Sep 20D+1.0D win 56.0%R+7.6 to D+9.6Published forecast
Sep 19D+1.0D win 56.0%R+7.6 to D+9.6Published forecast
Sep 18D+1.9D win 61.4%R+6.8 to D+10.7Reconstructed with the stated inputs
Sep 17D+2.0D win 61.5%R+6.8 to D+10.7Reconstructed with the stated inputs
Sep 16D+2.0D win 61.7%R+6.8 to D+10.8Reconstructed with the stated inputs
Sep 15D+2.0D win 60.9%R+6.8 to D+10.7Published forecast
Sep 14D+2.0D win 61.8%R+6.8 to D+10.8Published forecast
Sep 13D+2.0D win 61.3%R+6.8 to D+10.8Published forecast
Sep 12D+2.0D win 61.7%R+6.8 to D+10.8Published forecast
Sep 11D+2.0D win 62.2%R+6.8 to D+10.8Published forecast
Sep 10D+2.0D win 61.6%R+6.8 to D+10.8Published forecast
Sep 9D+2.7D win 65.5%R+6.1 to D+11.5Published forecast
Sep 8D+2.0D win 62.1%R+6.7 to D+10.8Reconstructed with the stated inputs
Sep 7D+2.0D win 62.1%R+6.7 to D+10.8Reconstructed with the stated inputs
Sep 6D+2.1D win 62.2%R+6.7 to D+10.8Reconstructed with the stated inputs
Sep 5D+2.1D win 62.3%R+6.7 to D+10.8Reconstructed with the stated inputs
Sep 4D+2.1D win 62.3%R+6.7 to D+10.8Reconstructed with the stated inputs
Sep 3D+2.1D win 62.4%R+6.7 to D+10.9Reconstructed with the stated inputs
Sep 2D+2.1D win 62.5%R+6.7 to D+10.9Reconstructed with the stated inputs
Sep 1D+2.1D win 62.6%R+6.6 to D+10.9Reconstructed with the stated inputs
Aug 31D+2.1D win 62.8%R+6.6 to D+10.9Reconstructed with the stated inputs
Aug 30D+2.2D win 62.8%R+6.6 to D+10.9Reconstructed with the stated inputs
Aug 29D+2.2D win 63.0%R+6.6 to D+10.9Reconstructed with the stated inputs
Aug 28D+2.2D win 63.0%R+6.6 to D+11.0Reconstructed with the stated inputs
Aug 27D+2.2D win 63.1%R+6.6 to D+11.0Reconstructed with the stated inputs
Aug 26D+2.2D win 63.2%R+6.6 to D+11.0Reconstructed with the stated inputs
Aug 25D+2.2D win 63.3%R+6.5 to D+11.0Reconstructed with the stated inputs
Aug 24D+2.2D win 63.4%R+6.5 to D+11.0Reconstructed with the stated inputs
Aug 23D+2.3D win 63.5%R+6.5 to D+11.0Reconstructed with the stated inputs
Aug 22D+3.0D win 67.3%R+5.8 to D+11.7Reconstructed with the stated inputs
Aug 21D+3.0D win 66.4%R+5.8 to D+11.7Reconstructed with the stated inputs
Aug 20D+3.0D win 66.5%R+5.8 to D+11.7Reconstructed with the stated inputs
Aug 19D+3.0D win 66.6%R+5.8 to D+11.8Reconstructed with the stated inputs
Aug 18D+3.0D win 66.7%R+5.7 to D+11.8Reconstructed with the stated inputs
Aug 17D+3.4D win 68.4%R+5.5 to D+12.3Reconstructed with the stated inputs
Aug 16D+3.4D win 68.5%R+5.5 to D+12.3Reconstructed with the stated inputs
Aug 15D+3.4D win 68.6%R+5.5 to D+12.3Reconstructed with the stated inputs
Aug 14D+3.4D win 68.5%R+5.5 to D+12.3Reconstructed with the stated inputs
Aug 13D+3.4D win 68.6%R+5.5 to D+12.3Reconstructed with the stated inputs
Aug 12D+3.4D win 68.7%R+5.5 to D+12.3Reconstructed with the stated inputs
Aug 11D+3.4D win 68.7%R+5.5 to D+12.3Reconstructed with the stated inputs
Aug 10D+3.4D win 68.8%R+5.4 to D+12.3Reconstructed with the stated inputs
Aug 9D+3.7D win 69.8%R+5.3 to D+12.8Reconstructed with the stated inputs
Aug 8D+3.7D win 69.8%R+5.3 to D+12.8Reconstructed with the stated inputs
Aug 7D+3.7D win 69.9%R+5.3 to D+12.8Reconstructed with the stated inputs
Aug 6D+3.7D win 69.8%R+5.3 to D+12.8Reconstructed with the stated inputs
Aug 5D+3.7D win 69.8%R+5.3 to D+12.8Reconstructed with the stated inputs
Aug 4D+3.7D win 69.9%R+5.3 to D+12.8Reconstructed with the stated inputs
Aug 3D+3.7D win 69.9%R+5.3 to D+12.8Reconstructed with the stated inputs
Aug 2D+3.7D win 69.9%R+5.3 to D+12.8Reconstructed with the stated inputs
Aug 1D+3.7D win 70.0%R+5.3 to D+12.8Reconstructed with the stated inputs

The polls

Poll average R+0.1A poll’s weight halves every 60 days and grows with its sample. Each pollster counts once, at its best release. Every poll counts at its published margin, sponsored or not.In governor races the forecast then counts a poll sponsored by a party or campaign at full weight and moves its margin 2 points against that party, which puts the average it reads at D+0.1. It then applies a fitted correction of 2.5 points toward Republicans for governor races, measured from past polling error, before blending it with its other evidence.18 recorded polls · 18 in the poll average

FieldworkAddedPollsterResultSample
from 2026-10-238h agoState Navigate ↗D+3.0D 50% · R 47%679 LV
from 2026-10-161d agoEchelon Insights ↗D+1.0D 49% · R 48%508 LV
from 2026-10-06ActiVote ↗R+3.0D 48.5% · R 51.5%400 LV
from 2026-10-07University of Georgia ↗R+1.0D 45% · R 46%1,000 LV
from 2026-10-15Quantus Insights ↗R+1.5D 47.5% · R 49%755 LV
from 2026-10-12InsiderAdvantage ↗James Magazine OnlineR+2.0D 47% · R 49%800 LV
from 2026-09-22InsiderAdvantage ↗R+2.0D 46% · R 48%1,200 LV
from 2026-09-21Big Data Poll ↗Public Polling ProjectR+1.0D 49.5% · R 50.5%678 LV
Explore each poll’s weight in the average

8 of 18 matching · 18 total

Poll average R+0.1

State Navigate27 Oct · 679 LV · added 28 Oct
Echelon Insights23 Oct · 508 LV · added 27 Oct
ActiVote20 Oct · 400 LV · added 21 Oct
Quantus Insights17 Oct · 755 LV · added 19 Oct
University of Georgia15 Oct · 1,000 LV · added 20 Oct
InsiderAdvantage13 Oct · 800 LV · added 15 Oct
Big Data Poll23 Sep · 678 LV · added 25 Sep
InsiderAdvantage23 Sep · 1,200 LV · added 25 Sep
Explore all 18 polls for this race

How the margin was built

Tap an input for its calculation and source.

Toward D+7.9
Toward R−9.8
Forecast marginR+1.8

Displayed values are rounded.

All calculations & sources

How this state voted, 2024 −2.190 points

The state's presidential margin in 2024 as a share of all votes cast, from our own county sums — the same measurement the model's statewide terrain center is built from. Every pull below is measured from here, not from EVEN, which is why a landslide seat's listed pulls are small numbers and still land where the forecast does.

  • 2024 presidential result for this state, as a share of all votes cast, from Call the Map's own county sums.
  • Same source as Act I's 2024-president reference mark, so the origin lands on it.

Fitted model, above the terrain shown +5.662 points

What the fitted model adds on top of the starting terrain above — incumbency, past results, campaign finance and the other fitted terms — measured from that terrain rather than from EVEN. It is a comparison with the starting point already shown, not a separate input. The source detail lists the variables the fit uses.

  • Fitted baseline 3.472 minus starting point -2.190 = 5.662 points.
  • Fitted intercept: -6.136 points.
  • 2010 White population share used by the frozen historical fit: observed input 59.823. -0.503 × ((59.823 − 77.922) / 12.864) = 0.707 points.
  • gov_midterm_wh: observed input -1.000. -0.987 × ((-1.000 − 0.336) / 0.739) = 1.785 points.
  • 2024 presidential lean relative to the national result: observed input -0.709. 4.163 × ((-0.709 − -4.415) / 20.258) = 0.762 points.
  • Previous governor election margin: observed input -7.540. 1.755 × ((-7.540 − -3.131) / 19.227) = -0.403 points.
  • gov_inc_running_signed: observed input 0.000. 2.531 × ((0.000 − -0.120) / 0.708) = 0.428 points.
  • gov_inc_tenure_signed: observed input 0.000. 3.340 × ((0.000 − -0.143) / 0.902) = 0.529 points.
  • The displayed arithmetic is rounded; the fitted terms use full precision. The intercept plus these five terms gives the non-ratings baseline.
  • No source-verified current Gallup reading supports the former 40% / July 2026 claim. The current Gallup series ends in 2025; the Presidency Project identifies its 2026 observations as other pollsters. Use the unchanged fitted missing-value rule, not a replacement polling scale.
  • Certified 2024 presidential baseline: state R+2.2, national R+1.5; subtracting the national margin gives relative lean −0.7. Source: FEC compilation of certified state results.

National environment +1.838 points

The contribution to this race’s margin, not the national polling margin itself. The race’s loading, reference level and polling blend determine how much of the national climate reaches its final forecast.

  • The national environment in this edition is D+8.4. This row is its contribution to the race’s prior, not a claim that the country is D+1.8.
  • This step’s recorded contribution to the margin is +1.8.
  • The elasticity is fitted on the pooled panel of contested governor races (2010–2024) with cycle-clustered standard errors; it is a measured response to the national environment, not a judgment floor.

Historical error calibration +0.410 points

A prior-election residual correction, when an admitted model publishes one.

  • The forecast’s calibration against past governor results. The recorded contribution is +0.4.

This race’s polls −7.612 points

What this race’s own recent polling adds beyond its prior. The forecast weights each poll for recency and sample size and counts each pollster once; the weights listed here are those of the polls’ own average.

  • State Navigate (2026-10-27, n=679): D+3.0 · weight 0.70 in the poll average
  • Echelon Insights (2026-10-23, n=508): D+1.0 · weight 0.58 in the poll average
  • ActiVote (2026-10-20, n=400): R+3.0 · weight 0.50 in the poll average
  • Quantus Insights (2026-10-17, n=755): R+1.5 · weight 0.66 in the poll average
  • University of Georgia (2026-10-15, n=1,000): R+1.0 · weight 0.74 in the poll average
  • InsiderAdvantage (2026-10-13, n=800): R+2.0 · weight 0.65 in the poll average
  • … and 12 more below.
  • Poll average R+0.1, from 18 polls · 18 recorded polls. This is the polls’ own average, each poll at its published margin, the figure this page’s poll summary shows. In governor races the forecast then counts a poll sponsored by a party or campaign at full weight and moves its margin 2 points against that party, which puts the average it reads at D+0.1. It then applies a fitted correction of 2.5 points toward Republicans for governor races, measured from past polling error, before blending it with its other evidence. The forecast gives the polls 98% of the weight against its structural prior for this race, which moves the margin 7.6 points toward Republicans from where it stood before the polls. Eligible polls: latest poll: 2026-10-27 (1 day old).

Votes for other candidates +0.019 points

Every step above is measured between the two major-party candidates alone, as if nobody else were on the ballot. The forecast sets 1.0% of the vote aside for other candidates and write-ins, so as a share of every vote cast the gap between the two is smaller by that much. This step is exactly that: the two-party margin times the share going to other candidates. It is the same arithmetic that turns the two-party margin into the two shares printed at the top of the page.

The components this edition publishes for this race, in points. “Other factors” closes the sum to the two-party structural lean exactly. The margin the page prints is a share of every vote cast, so the “Votes for other candidates” row carries the exact difference between the two-party lean and that margin; with it, the walk sums to the printed margin exactly.

Named factorContribution
This race's pollsAdmitted head-to-head polls of this race, recency- and quality-weighted.−7.61
FundamentalsThe admitted fitted baseline. Its surviving variables differ by office; the source detail above identifies those used for this race.+3.47
National environmentThe national environment’s contribution to the prior. Polling can attenuate its influence; this value is not the national polling margin.+1.84
Historical calibrationThe House lane's calibration against certified past cycles.+0.41
Other factors+0.00

Where the votes are

The map of this race loads here.

Race context

Turnout, 2018 midterm
53.5% 3,949,905 ballots
Turnout, 2022 midterm
51.9% 3,964,926 ballots
2024 presidential margin
R+2.2between the two parties

Turnout is ballots cast statewide as a share of the voting-eligible population. Source: University of Florida Election Lab ↗

Population profile

White alone · 54.3%5,820,019 of 10,722,325 · Residents2022 Census · matched race geography

Coverage

2 stories · 6 quotes

All coverage and full posts on the Wire →

Forecast as of October 28, 2026: Call the Map currently has Rick Jackson ahead of Keisha Lance Bottoms by R+1.8, with a 61 in 100 chance to finish ahead in November. If no candidate passes 50%, a runoff follows on December 1, 2026. This is an open seat. That result would keep the seat with Republicans. The current poll average is R+0.1; 18 public polls are recorded.