Former President Jimmy Carter Votes in Georgia at 100

On October 16, 2024, former U.S. President Jimmy Carter cast his vote in the Georgia elections, fulfilling a long-time personal goal to participate in the democratic process once more. According to the Carter Center, which he founded in 1981 post-presidency to engage in global diplomacy efforts, Carter voted by mail, a method he has utilized in recent years.

The former president turned 100 on October 1, becoming the first former U.S. president to reach the centennial milestone. Despite his health challenges, including a battle with cancer that began in 2015, Carter remained determined to cast his vote for Vice President Kamala Harris, a testament to his enduring engagement in political affairs. “He was only trying to make it to vote for Kamala Harris,” shared his grandson, Jason Carter.

Earlier this year, Carter had expressed his wish to live long enough to vote for Harris, underscoring the significance he placed on contributing to the electoral process. This wish became known to the public through family disclosures shared with the Atlanta Journal-Constitution. Carter’s vote arrives amid high voter turnout in Georgia, with state official Gabriel Sterling reporting that more than 420,000 ballots have been cast since early voting commenced on October 15.

Living in Plains, Georgia, where he has been receiving hospice care since February of the previous year, Carter’s influence and actions continue even as he approaches the end of his life. His political involvement remains inspired despite his advanced age and ongoing health issues. Reflecting on his remarkable journey from a peanut farmer to the highest office in the U.S., Carter’s life and dedication continue to draw admiration and respect.

The former president’s resolve to vote also comes shortly after the death of his wife, Rosalynn Carter, who passed away in November 2023. The couple shared 77 years of marriage, and Rosalynn’s memorial service took place last year at Emory University in Atlanta, where Carter was notably present, draped in a blanket depicting symbols of their beloved hometown.