Convenient Week-Long Advance Voting Period Available to Any Registered Voter

Secretary Cox: Advance Voting for March 2nd Presidential Preference Primary
and Flag Referendum Begins Next Monday, Feb. 23rd

ATLANTA …Secretary of State Cathy Cox today reminded Georgians that advance voting, a convenient option for voters now available under Georgia election law, begins next Monday, Feb. 23^rd and will continue until close of business next Friday, Feb. 27^th.  Advance voting permits any eligible Georgian to cast their vote early, in person, at their county registration office, simply as a matter of convenience and without being required to provide one of the legal reasons necessary for traditional absentee voting.

            For several years Secretary of State Cox sought changes that would add more flexibility and convenience to voters taking part in Georgia elections.  In 2003 her efforts resulted in modifications to Georgia election law that permit an advance voting period during the week prior to an election.

            “With busy family and work schedules and long commutes, thousands of Georgians find it difficult to make it to the polls between 7 a.m. and 7 p.m. on Election Day. Yet many of them don’t meet the traditional requirements of absentee voting,” said Secretary Cox, who serves as Georgia’s chief elections official.  “Advance voting is a great new option for those voters.  They can simply stop by their county voter registration office any time during the week prior to the election, show their ID, cast their ballot and be on their way.  Advance voting is a great new way to help reduce long lines at the precinct on Election Day, provide citizens greater convenience and reverse our long-term trend of declining voter participation.  Many Georgians took advantage of the new advance voting period during the municipal elections last fall, and we expect it to continue to grow in popularity during the 2004 election cycle,” Ms. Cox added.

            Voters should note that advance voting ends at the close of business on the Friday prior to the election.  Citizens who wish to cast an absentee ballot in person at their registration office on Monday, March 1^st, may do so, provided they meet the legal requirements for absentee voting.

            The March 2^nd Presidential Preference Primary, to select Democratic and Republican candidates for president, also includes a Special Statewide Advisory Referendum on the state flag.  Voters will be asked to express their preference between the flags adopted in 2001 and the current state banner, adopted in 2003.  Since Georgia does not register voters by party, the Primary is “open” and voters may request a Republican or Democratic ballot, or may request a ballot that only includes the Advisory Referendum question.

            Traditional absentee voting, including receiving and returning a ballot by mail, is still an option for Georgians who meet certain statutory requirements.  Absentee ballots are available 45 days prior to an election.  Absentee voting is restricted to citizens who will be absent from their precinct all day on Election Day, or are 75 years of age or older, disabled or meet other specific requirements.

            Voters can find the address and phone number of their county registration office on the Web at http://www.sos.state.ga.us/elections/info/2000_voter_info.asp.