Election Day 101

Voting FAQ's

Where do I vote?

Every voter is assigned a specific polling place for Election Day. All polling places are open on Election Day from 7:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. Your polling place location is indicated on your voter registration card. If you no longer have a voter registration card, have recently changed your voter registration information, or need further assistance in identifying your polling place location, click here to check your polling place. Or, contact your county’s Board of Registrars. Complete contact information for all Georgia counties by clicking here.

What should I bring to the polls?

When you check in at the polls, you must provide an approved form of photo ID.  

• Any valid state or federal government issued photo ID
• A Georgia driver's license, even if expired
• A valid U.S. passport
• A valid employee ID card containing your photograph and issued by any branch, department, agency, or entity of the U.S. government, Georgia, or any county, municipality, board, authority, or other entity of Georgia
• A valid U.S. military ID card
• A valid tribal photo ID

If you do not have any of the above photo identification, a voter ID card is available free of charge from your local county registration office.   Click here for more information.

Can I be turned away at the polls?

NO.

As long as you show up at your polling place during voting hours, you must be allowed to vote there, whether or not your name is on the list of voters. If you are not listed as a registered voter at that polling place, you can still vote with a provisional ballot. Once you have been confirmed as a registered voter, your ballot will be counted. Can I vote before Election Day?
In Georgia, there are two options for individuals who wish to vote prior to Election Day: absentee ballot and advance voting. Absentee ballot
For more information about obtaining an absentee ballot, when absentee ballots will be available, and deadlines for returning an absentee ballot, click here.

Advance Voting & Absentee Voting

Advance voting allows Georgia’s voters to vote in person prior to the actual election during regular business hours at his or her County Board of Registrar’s Office. In order to vote early, you will be required to complete an application and provide one sufficient form of identification. You will then be able to cast a ballot; however you will NOT be able to cast another ballot on Election Day.

Georgia citizens may also vote by an Absentee ballot.  Voters may request a ballot form the country registrar's office which will the be mail to the voter.  Absentee ballots must be fill out correctly and returned to the registrar's office before election day. 

 

Do I need to join a political party?

Georgia voters are not required to declare any political party when registering to vote. However, in order to cast a ballot in a primary election, the voter must tell the poll officer in which party’s primary he or she wishes to vote in order to receive the correct ballot. The desired party ballot must also be specified when requesting an absentee ballot for a primary election. Once a voter requests a ballot for one party’s primary election, the decision is binding for that primary election – and any runoff of the primary – only. The voter is not required to vote for that party’s candidate in the subsequent general election and may make a different party choice in the next primary election.

How do I ensure I am registered?

In Georgia, before you can vote, you need to register. You may register to vote at any time; however, in order to vote in an election, you must register by the deadline set for that election (typically the close of business 30 days prior to Election Day).

A registration form can be obtained at any public library, county courthouse, city hall, or other permanent registration site in the state. Voter registration forms can also be printed from the Secretary of State’s website. Registration forms may also be used to submit a change of address or name change in the voter registration file. Click here to verify that your information is correct.

How do I update my address if I have moved?

It's easy! Simply fill out a voter registration form and provide your previous information at the bottom of the form in Section 6. It's easy and free - don't let this simple step be a reason you can't express your voice on Election Day!      Click here to download the registration form.

• If you move within the same county in which you are registered to vote and don't notify the registrar at least 30 days prior to an election, you may vote in your old polling place for that election.
• If you move outside the county in which you are registered to vote within 30 days of an election, you may vote in your old precinct for that election.
• If you move outside the county in which you are registered to vote in excess of 30 days prior to an election, you have lost your eligibility to vote in the county of your old residence. You must register to vote in your new county of residence. If you don't register to vote by the deadline, you cannot vote in that particular election.

Are children allowed in the Voting Booth?

YES! This is a wonderful way to teach your children about the value of voting.

 

League of Women Voters of Georgia   |   100 Edgewood Ave. NE   Suite 1275   Atlanta, GA 30303
(p) 404.522.4LWV (4598)   lwvga@lwvga.org