Congress enacted the National Voter Registration Act of 1993, 42 U.S.C. 1973gg-5(a), (b), to enhance voting opportunities for every American and to remove the vestiges of discrimination which have historically resulted in lower voter registration rates of minorities and persons with disabilities. The NVRA has brought new voices to the political process by making it easier for all Americans to exercise their fundamental right to vote.

Note: Voter registration is a county function. Georgia counties issue voter registration cards after reviewing and processing applications.

If you have misplaced or have not received your precinct card within two to three weeks of submitting your voter registration application, please contact your local county registration office to request a new precinct card or to check the status of your application.

Absentee Voting

You may request an absentee ballot as early as 180 days before an election. Absentee ballots must be received by the county board of registrars' office by 7:00 p.m. on election day. No absentee ballots are issued on the day before or the day of an election. You may download an application for official absentee/advance ballot and mail, fax or deliver in person to your county board of registrars' office. The application must be in writing and contain the address to which the ballot is to be mailed, sufficient information to identify you as a voter, and the election in which you wish to vote - no reason is required when requesting an absentee ballot by mail. If you are physically disabled or living temporarily outside your county of residence, a close relative  (mother, father, grandparent, aunt, uncle, sister, brother, spouse, son, daughter, niece, nephew, grandchild, son-in-law, daughter-in-law, mother-in-law, father-in-law , brother-in-law, or sister-in-law who is 18 or over) may apply for an absentee ballot for you.  The absentee ballot shall be mailed to the voter.

Applications for absentee ballots by uniformed or overseas voters (pursuant to the Uniformed and Overseas Citizens Absentee Voting Act) can be accepted more than 180 days prior to a primary or election in which a federal candidate appears on the ballot as well as for any runoffs resulting therefrom including presidential preference primaries for two general elections.

May I receive assistance with my absentee ballot?

A physically disabled or illiterate voter may receive assistance from another voter in the same county or municipality or from the same category of relatives who can make an application for or deliver an absentee ballot. If the voter is outside of the county or municipality, then a notary public can provide such assistance. Any person who assists another person to vote absentee must complete an oath prescribed by law demonstrating the statutory disability and that the ballot was completed as the voter desired. Other than federal elections, no person may assist more than ten voters in a primary, election, or runoff. A candidate on the ballot, or a relative of a candidate on the ballot, may not offer assistance during the election to any voter who is not related to the candidate.

Information Regarding Advance Voting

For more information contact:

Secretary of State
Elections Division
1104 West Tower
2 Martin Luther King Jr. Dr. SE
Atlanta, Ga. 30334
(404) 656-2871
404-656-1787 (TDD for the hearing or speech impaired)