Voter Registration in Georgia
Practicing your voting rights begins with registering to vote in Georgia. The process for obtaining voter registration is different in each state. As is the case in many other states, Georgia residents have special rules and regulations to follow in order to cast ballots in elections. Thus, residents should familiarize themselves with state voting laws. This way, submitting an application can be completed as easily as possible.
Before completing a voting application, prospective voters should ensure they meet the eligibility standards in a state. Once they know they are eligible, residents can use one of the various methods for submitting their registration. A voter registration card can even be filled out by drivers during a visit to their local Department of Motor Vehicles offices. Get more information on voter rights and standards in Georgia by reviewing the following paragraphs.
Who can register to vote in Georgia?
Only eligible applicants are able to register to vote in Georgia. State-specific standards are enforced to ensure voters meet citizenship and residency requirements before they can cast a ballot. If any of these stipulations are not met, applicants will be denied the ability to vote within the state. In order to be able to vote, applicants must:
- Be Georgia residents.
- Be United States citizens.
- Be 18 or older when voting for the first time and least 17 and one-half years old when pre-registering.
- Not be convicted of a felony for moral turpitude and must not be serving sentences.
- Not be considered mentally unstable by a court.
Georgia Voter Registration Deadline
The GA voter registration deadline varies each election for a variety of reasons. These dates differ based on the type of election happening. Additionally, U.S. citizens who are in the military or living overseas are provided with alternate deadlines for submitting voting-related documents. The Georgia Secretary of State establishes yearly election and registration guidelines that everyone must follow.
How to Register to Vote in Georgia
Registering to vote in Georgia is an easy process that can be completed by residents through a few different methods. An application can be submitted online, by mail or in person at various government locations. No matter what method they choose to use, however, applicants must reveal similar pieces of personal information.
Applicants should be ready to provide these individual details on a request form. The information is used during the evaluation process and establishes citizenship status. Residents’ legal names, addresses, voter ID numbers and more must be disclosed. For online requests, applicants can submit the necessary data and documents on the state election website. The application form should be filled out completely and accurately, then submitted for evaluation.
The next GA voter registration method involves submitting an application by mail. The paper document should be filled out with all required personal information.
Finally, an in-person visit to a local government office can be used to submit voter applications. Applicants can deliver the form and relevant verification papers to a local voter registration office. Additional locations in the state offer registration services to residents.
For each of the mentioned methods, applicants should expect to wait a few weeks before receiving an approval or denial of voting rights.
Early Voting in Georgia
When state residents participate in early voting and registration, these voters are able to cast ballots before a regular election day. While some states do not allow this method of voting at all, Georgia provides the service in certain counties. Specific locations, dates and hours are determined closer to election days. When going to vote early, residents should be sure to bring their ID cards or drivers licenses.
Georgia Voter Registration for Active Duty Military and Out-of-State Residents
Active duty military and overseas voters are able to submit absentee ballots if they reside outside of the state. State and federal resources are available to assist these voters in receiving absentee forms. The Federal Write-In Absentee Ballot (FWAB) can be used to cast a vote in Georgia from any place of residency.
Georgia Voter Registration for Absentee Voting
Eligible GA residents can change their voting method in order to vote by absentee ballot. In order to receive this designation, only the following voters are accepted:
- Residents living overseas
- Members of the merchant marines and their family members
- Public Health Service commissioned corps members and their families
- Members of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) and their families
- Elderly voters older than 65 years of age
These groups can submit a GA voter registration card absentee application by mail, fax, email or in person.
Voter Registration Cards in Georgia
GA registration cards are issued to approved voting applicants in the state. These cards are important for voters, as they establish the ability to participate in elections. The certificates may need to be provided when exercising voting rights.
Additionally, registration cards are used to determine what voting precinct should be utilized during an election. It is important for any voter registration change of address to be disclosed when a resident moves to a new location. Otherwise, the precinct on a voter card may be outdated and invalid.
How to Change Your Voter Registration in Georgia
Voters can change a Georgia voter registration address online, by mail or in person at a participating location. A standard Georgia voting application is used to change an address on a voter registration. The same applies to a change of name or party affiliation. The document should then be resubmitted. When the form is received and validated by the state, an updated card is mailed to the requester. In addition to performing this step, residents should be sure to change their drivers license address, as well as the address on other important DMV documents, such as a vehicle registration.
How to Replace a Lost Georgia Voter Registration Card
When a voter card is lost by a GA resident, a replacement certificate can be easily received. A general voting application should be resubmitted in order for the replacement to be issued. By obtaining a new card as soon as possible, voters can avoid wondering, “Where do I vote?” when dealing with a missing registration.