Your voice and your choice matters. Below, you’ll find information on various topics as it pertains to exercising your right to vote.
How to register:
- Here’s a great governmental resource that will lead you through Registering to vote.
- Within the site, there is information presented including options to Register to Vote, Voter Registration Age Requirements and Voter Registration Deadlines.
- Within those links, there are links to each specific state that will take you to that state’s specific website to register.
Who can register to vote online?
- Currently, there are 39 states (and D.C.) where you can register to vote online: Alabama, Alaska, Arizona, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, Nevada, New Mexico, New York, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, Tennessee, Utah, Vermont, Virginia, Washington, West Virginia and Wisconsin.
- One state – New Jersey – is pending.
- There are 10 states which do not offer online registration: Arkansas, Maine, Mississippi, Montana, New Hampshire, North Carolina, North Dakota, South Dakota, Texas and Wyoming.
Do you need to confirm that you are registered to vote?
- Here’s a link to Confirm Your Voter Registration.
- Also, you’ll want to confirm that you have your voter registration card, which has important information about voting precincts, etc. Link: How to Get a Voter Registration Card.
- While you don’t need to bring your voter registration card with you on Election Day, you may need other identification since some states require a photo ID to vote. Use this interactive map to learn if you need to bring a photo ID when you vote.
Absentee Voting:
- What is it?
- Absentee voting allows you to vote by mail. This is suggested if you are registered to vote in a state other than the one where you are currently residing.
- The state of Georgia also allows any registered voter to apply for an absentee ballot and vote by mail. You can apply to do so by using this link: https://absentee.vote.org/?state=georgia
- Be sure to legibly complete forms and use blue/black ink.
- In Georgia, all absentee ballots must be returned to your county election office by Election Day at 7:00pm.
- For deadlines for absentee ballot voting for each state, visit: https://www.vote.org/absentee-ballot-deadlines/
Early Voting:
Sometimes circumstances make it hard or impossible for you to vote on Election Day. But your state may let you vote during a designated early voting period.
- Most states have early voting. This lets registered voters vote on specified dates before Election Day.
- This early voting chart lists time frames for states that offer early voting. The rules change from state to state. Make sure you know yours if you plan to vote early or in-person absentee.
- The best place to check is your state/territorial election office website. Check under “absentee voting” if you don’t see information listed under “voting in person” or “early voting.”
Registration Deadlines and Upcoming Elections:
- The registration deadlines for each state vary. This website can help you find the deadlines for the state where you register to vote. The site also lists each of the upcoming Federal Elections and their election days
- Once you select your state in which you are registered, you will also have access to the links for each of the State Election Office Websites.
- This calendar shows the 2024 State Elections and Voter Registration Calendar for the state of Georgia.
Voting in College:
- Students attending college in Georgia may choose to register to vote in their school’s district. Alternatively, they may maintain registration in their home district or county using their parents’ address and vote in elections using absentee ballots.
- Want to get involved on campus? Visit: http://ugavotes.com/volunteer.
Voting Eligibility in Georgia:
A person may vote in Georgia if they:
- Are a legal Georgia Resident
- Are 18 years of age, a person may register at the age of 17.5 years of age but will not be able to vote until their 18th birthday
- Are not serving a felony sentence “involving moral turpitude”
- Have not been judged to be mentally incompetent
Accepted Forms of Identification:
In order to register to vote in Georgia, you must possess one of the following:
- Valid Georgia driver’s license or state-issued photo ID
- Georgia driver’s license, even if expired
- Valid employee photo ID issued by any branch or subdivision of the federal or state government
- Valid U.S. Passport
- Valid U.S. military photo ID
- Valid tribal photo ID
Registering to Vote in Georgia:
- Online: https://registertovote.sos.ga.gov/GAOLVR/welcome.do#no-back-button
- The deadline to register to vote is 29 days prior to election day.
- The State of Georgia does not offer Election Day Registration.
Where do I Vote:
- This website will assist you in finding the closest polling station near you: https://www.athensclarkecounty.com/246/Polling-Locations
Party Sides:
- This website helps determine the larger issues that each party supports. It is divided up by different topics. https://www.bestcolleges.com/resources/voting-by-issues/