Georgia

The basics

REGISTER to vote by October 7 with last 4 digits of social security number.

VOTE in person on election day with current and valid photo ID: Either your college ID if you are at a PUBLIC college, or, if private college, your home state ID or passport. 

  • At college in another state
    • REGISTER online with your Georgia home address
    • VOTE by mail
  • At college in Georgia
    • REGISTER online with your college address 
    • VOTE in person with your PUBLIC college ID, or, if private college, your state ID
  • October 7
    • deadline to register
  • November 5
    • Election Day

Georgia has strict voter ID laws and some difficult to follow explanation of rules on its official state sites.

If you don’t have a Georgia ID, you can REGISTER by mail with last four digits of your social security number.

The registration form asks for proof of residence if it’s your first time registering in Georgia and you are registering by mail. Most of the forms of proof, college students are unlikely to have if they aren’t at a PUBLIC state-funded college. If you are at a private college it’s a good idea to bring your precinct card (mailed to you after you register) with you as proof of residence when you vote.

To VOTE you need to present a form of VALID ID.

This includes any unexpired valid state or federal ID, passport, or a student ID from a Georgia PUBLIC college or university. If you are at a PRIVATE university (Morehouse, Spelman, Emory, etc.) you CAN use an ID from a different state (“any valid state or federal ID”). It’s a good idea to also bring your precinct card or other proof of residence.

Your school should have a campus voter engagement program of some kind that understands your particular precinct and can help guide you through the process.

Georgia Voter ID requirements: https://sos.ga.gov/page/georgia-voter-identification-requirements

Register by October 7

Most campuses should have some kind of in person registration drive where you can fill out the form

  • Print out registration form and mail it to the Secretary of State’s office, postmarked by October 7
  • Use last 4 digits of social security number for voter identification number
  • Residential address is your college address. That determines your polling precinct.
  • Form is here: https://sos.ga.gov/sites/default/files/forms/GA_VR_APP_2019.pdf
  • Address to send it to is on the application
  • A requirement for proof of residence appears on application, but it is a bit unclear. You can still register without it and, when voting, it’s a good idea to have the precinct card sent to you by the county after registration as your proof of residence in case you need it. (It counts as “other government document that shows your name and address.”) 

Go to https://mvp.sos.ga.gov/s/voter-registration

Check voter registration status

Georgia purges voter registrations for various reasons. If you think you are registered, be sure to check and make sure here: https://mvp.sos.ga.gov/s/

VOTE

As soon as you are registered begin the process for an absentee ballot here: https://georgia.gov/vote-absentee-ballot

“You must submit your application for an absentee ballot by the deadline. Absentee ballots may be requested any time between 78 and 11 calendar days prior to Election Day. It’s important to request and return your absentee ballot early. This will give your ballot enough time to travel through the mail and resolve any issues that may arise when voting by absentee ballot.”

See intro above about valid ID

Early voting is up to each county. Your county website should have information. (Also bring your precinct card for address proof if it is your first time registered in Georgia and your college ID is not from a PUBLIC college.)

Vote at your local polling place with valid ID. See intro above about valid ID.

Also bring your precinct card for address proof it is your first time registered in Georgia and your college ID is not from a PUBLIC college.You should have been mailed a precinct card after registering. Your precinct card should give you the location of your polling place.

You can find your Election Day polling place at https://mvp.sos.ga.gov/

Or by contacting your county Elections Office: https://mvp.sos.ga.gov/s/county-election-offices

Or by calling or texting the Voter Protection Hotline at 888-730-5816.