September 20, 2022
The 2022 Elections in Georgia
Marist Poll
Warnock Edges Walker in U.S. Senate Race, Kemp Leads Abrams for Governor
U.S. Senator Raphael Warnock (47%) leads his Republican challenger Herschel Walker (42%) by five percentage points among Georgia registered voters, including those who are undecided yet leaning toward a candidate. However, Warnock’s lead narrows among registered voters who say they definitely plan to vote. In Georgia’s gubernatorial contest Republican incumbent Brian Kemp leads Stacey Abrams by six points among the statewide electorate, a lead which widens to double digits among those who say they definitely plan to vote. Kemp narrowly defeated Abrams for governor in 2018.
In Georgia’s race for U.S. Senate, Raphael Warnock (47%) leads Herschel Walker (42%) by 5 points statewide. Warnock (47%) and Walker (45%) are closely matched among registered voters who say they definitely plan to vote.
Warnock’s lead over Walker is bolstered by independents (+9 points) and women. A 23-point gender gap exists. 52% of women support Warnock while 49% of men back Walker.
70% of registered voters with a candidate preference for U.S. Senate strongly support their choice. This includes 74% of Warnock’s supporters and 68% of Walker’s backers.
43% of Georgians have a favorable opinion of Warnock, and 40% have an unfavorable impression of him. Walker’s favorable rating is upside down (37% favorable to 41% unfavorable).
The Republicans (48%) have a 4-point edge over the Democrats (44%) among registered voters statewide on the generic congressional ballot. That advantage widens for Republicans to a 7-point lead among voters who say they definitely plan to vote.
Kemp Leads Abrams in Georgia Governor’s Race
Incumbent Republican Governor Brian Kemp (50%) leads Democratic challenger Stacey Abrams (44%) among registered voters statewide. Kemp’s (53%) lead over Abrams (42%) widens to double digits among registered voters who say they definitely plan to vote.
Three in four (75%) registered voters with a candidate preference for governor strongly support their choice. 78% of voters for Abrams and 73% of those for Kemp express this level of support for their candidate.
Half of Georgia residents have a favorable view of Kemp (50%), and 35% have an unfavorable view of him. In contrast, Abrams’ favorable rating is upside down (42% favorable to 46% unfavorable).
"With seven weeks to go until Election Day, the advantage in Georgia for governor and U.S. Senate goes to the incumbents," says Lee M. Miringoff, Director of the Marist College Institute for Public Opinion. "A notable proportion of independents, men, and voters in the suburbs, about one in six, support both Democrat Warnock and Republican Kemp."
Inflation Key Voting Issue in Georgia
Four in ten Georgians (40%) say inflation is top of mind when thinking about this November’s elections. Preserving democracy (24%), abortion (16%), health care (12%), and immigration (7%) follow.
For Democrats, preserving democracy (29%), inflation, (25%) and abortion (25%) are top issues. A majority of Republicans (55%) cite inflation as do 42% of independents.
Plurality of Voters Plan to Head to the Polls
45% of registered voters statewide plan to vote in-person on Election Day. 40% of the statewide electorate say they will vote at an early voting location, and 12% think they will vote by mail or absentee ballot.
But there are big differences between parties. A majority of Republicans (55%) plan to vote in-person on Election Day while a plurality of Democrats (47%) expect to cast a ballot at an early voting location. 41% of independents plan to head to the polls on Election Day, and 37% plan to vote at an early voting location.
Two Thirds of Georgians Confident in Election Process
66% of Georgians are either very confident or confident in their state or local government to run a fair and accurate election. 33% have little or no confidence. Democrats (81%) are more likely to have confidence in their state and local election officials than are Republicans (65%) or independents (61%).
Biden Approval Rating
39% of Georgians approve of the job President Joe Biden is doing in office. 55% disapprove. 44% of residents statewide strongly disapprove of Biden’s job performance while 19% strongly approve.