Republican vice-presidential candidate JD Vance rallied supporters in Atlanta, Georgia, on Saturday morning, addressing issues central to his campaign and calling out Kamala Harris for what he described as divisive rhetoric toward conservative voters.

Vance’s appearance in Georgia comes as the state reports record-breaking early voting numbers, with election officials noting a turnout already exceeding half of 2020’s total participation.

Addressing a crowd in Atlanta, Vance delivered a pointed message aimed at Harris, challenging what he says are attempts by Kamala to portray conservative voters negatively. “Here’s my message to Kamala Harris,” Vance stated. “Stop censoring your fellow citizens, try to persuade them, and you might actually get somewhere. Stop telling people they’re racist because they want their children to go to schools with kids who speak the English language.”

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Vance’s remarks targeted issues of education, border security, and public safety, arguing that voters should not be judged for supporting policies that prioritize local interests.

Vance went on, “Stop telling American citizens they’re bad people because they don’t want fentanyl flooding their communities. Stop telling the American people they don’t deserve to have smaller hospital wait times. Stop telling the American people they’re bad for wanting a secure southern border.”

CUT IT OUT: Sen. JD Vance (R-OH) makes his feelings clear about VP Harris while addressing voters in battleground Georgia. https://t.co/uV5EFCB9Fn pic.twitter.com/xR7FqTZa1w

— Fox News (@FoxNews) October 26, 2024

His visit coincides with unprecedented early voting activity in Georgia, which is seen as a crucial battleground state.

According to Gabriel Sterling, Chief Operating Officer for the Secretary of State’s office, more than 50 percent of Georgia’s 2020 voter turnout has already been achieved in early voting. “So for people like Joe Biden & Stacey Abrams, you were wrong saying we had voter suppression here,” Sterling tweeted. “It’s easy to register & vote in Georgia… and really hard to even try to cheat. Great job by our voters & counties.”

So over 50% of the turnout for 2020 has already voted in Georgia. So for people like Joe Biden & Stacey Abrams, you were wrong saying we had voter suppression here. It’s easy to register & vote in Georgia…and really hard to even try to cheat. Great job by our voters & counties. pic.twitter.com/4y7mPVqcDy

— Gabriel Sterling (@GabrielSterling) October 26, 2024

Data from the office of Georgia’s Republican Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger indicates that more than 2.5 million Georgians have already cast their ballots ahead of Election Day.

Georgia Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger tells @JonKarl that over 2.5 million ballots have already been cast in Georgia.

“It’s record turnout … Voters are engaged on both sides of the aisle.” https://t.co/aVtyVUX6Ol pic.twitter.com/AjMEJm8mut

— This Week (@ThisWeekABC) October 25, 2024

This total already brings the state close to half of 2020’s record-breaking turnout of nearly five million votes, a year in which former President Trump lost Georgia by a narrow margin of 11,779 votes.

Following his remarks, Vance spoke with reporters, highlighting changes in Georgia’s voter participation dynamics.

He noted that Republican voters appear to be embracing early voting this cycle, contrasting with previous trends. Vance attributed this shift to election reforms implemented by Georgia lawmakers in 2021.

In 2021, Governor Brian Kemp signed new election laws in response to claims of voter irregularities in the 2020 election, which led to widespread calls for increased election security.

The changes included tighter regulations on absentee and mail-in voting, enhanced voter ID requirements, and restrictions on non-poll workers providing food and drink to voters in line at polling stations.

Georgia Republicans advocated for the new measures as necessary steps to maintain election integrity and bolster voter confidence.

As Georgia remains a focal point for both parties, Vance’s message in Atlanta reflects a push to engage conservative voters ahead of Election Day.

With early voting data indicating strong engagement, the state’s outcome could prove decisive in shaping the political landscape in the upcoming election.