Register to vote in GA before it’s too late. Guide to deadlines, mail-in ballots & more

Election Day is right around the corner. If you’re not registered to vote yet, you’re almost out of time.

Here’s what to know about deadlines, how to register to vote, how to mail in your ballot and more:

Deadlines and important dates for voting in the 2024 Election

Registration deadlines

• In-person at local election office : Oct. 7 close of business

• Online : Oct. 7

• By mail (postmarked by) : Oct. 7

Absentee ballot deadlines

• Request ballot (received by) : Oct. 25

• Return ballot by mail (received by) : Nov. 5, close of polls

• Return ballot in person : Nov. 5, close of polls

Voting days

• Early voting : Oct. 15 - Nov. 1

• In-person : Nov. 5

How to register to vote

If you haven’t registered to vote, here’s how you can do it now:

• Register to vote online through the Secretary of State’s online voter registration system .

• To register online, download and complete the postage-paid voter registration application and mail it to the Secretary of State’s office.

Things to remember

To register to vote in Georgia, you must:

• Be a citizen of the United States

• Be a legal resident of the county

• Be at least 17 1/2 years of age to register and 18 years of age to vote

• Not be serving a sentence for conviction of a felony involving moral turpitude

• Have not been found mentally incompetent by a judge

If you’re already registered, you can check your voter registration status and find voter ID requirements on the secretary of state’s My Voter Page .

How to vote by mail

To vote by mail, you must request an absentee ballot by Oct. 25. When you do so, you’ll have to submit an absentee ballot application .

Please note: 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.

After you receive your ballot, here’s what to do:

• Fill out and sign your absentee ballot according to the instructions provided. You will receive all the forms and envelopes necessary for marking and return of the ballot. Failure to complete your ballot correctly or not enter the required information on the outer oath envelope could invalidate your ballot.

• Mail your completed ballot. For voters within the country, all absentee ballots must arrive at your county election office by Election Day. Allow extra time for postal and election office processing.

• You can also hand-deliver your absentee ballot to your county registrar. If you registered as a disabled voter, someone in your household can hand-deliver your absentee ballot for you. Contact your county registrar for available drop-off locations. If you’re currently a military or overseas voter and you post your absentee ballot on Election Day, make sure it arrives within 3 days.

• Bring your ballot to your county’s drop box. Each county has a minimum of one drop box located indoors and available to voters only during operating hours. Contact your county registrar for your drop box location(s).

How to check the status of your mail-in ballot

• Verify that your ballot was accepted by visiting the Georgia My Voter Page . Log in and look for the section labeled “Absentee Ballot Request Information” to learn more about your absentee ballot status.

• If your ballot was rejected, your county elections office will contact you with a document to “cure” or correct your ballot envelope. Contact your county registrar to get more information and find out what your options are. One of the most common reasons an absentee ballot is rejected is because it has not been properly signed. Be sure to carefully read and follow all instructions included in your absentee ballot.

• If you do not receive your absentee ballot after submitting your application, contact your county registrar to assess your options. If there is not enough time to receive a new absentee ballot, or if for any reason you cannot have another sent to you, you may vote in person. If you attempt to vote in person because you never received a requested absentee ballot, you will have to sign a document attesting that you are only voting once.

• If you request and return an absentee ballot, you cannot change your mind and vote in person. Once you return your absentee ballot, you have voted.

Early Voting

Early voting will be offered from Oct. 15 to Nov. 1. You can vote at any early voting location in your county. Find one that is convenient for you by visiting your My Voter Page .

How to vote in person on Election Day

You can vote in person on Election Day from 7 a.m. until 7 p.m. at your assigned polling place. If you are in line by 7 p.m., you will still be allowed to vote.

Find your assigned polling place on My Voter Page .

You’ll need a government-issued photo ID to verify your identity. Visit the Georgia Voter Identification Requirements page for more information regarding acceptable forms of identification.

Have any questions? Let me know in the comments or email me at cmadden@mcclatchy.com

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