ATLANTA — Voting can feel complicated, so we're committed to explaining the election process and helping others understand what's on their ballot.
11Alive anchor and The Georgia Vote co-host Faith Jessie is your guide to this election season. Using our To The Po11s video guides, we'll help you navigate this election season and provide the information you need to know before you head to the polls.
What to know for Georgia's next election
Georgia's ballots for the general election are finalized, and people can now start requesting their absentee ballots.
The only thing missing is to register to vote - or to check if one's registration is still up to date.
With Georgia's new election law outlining new circumstances to challenge a person's voter registration, it is important to check that one wasn't kicked off the voter roll.
Anyone in Georgia can challenge a person's voter registration - SB189 just outlines new circumstances that can kick someone off the roll.
If a Georgia citizen believes a voter:
- Is casting a ballot where they no longer live
- Is using a non-residential address, like an office
- The voter is actually deceased
- Doesn't live in the area because tax exemptions prove their primary residence is somewhere else
They can flag this registration to election officials, effectively challenging whether a voter can actually cast a ballot using the registered address.
To make sure you weren't impacted by a voter registration challenge or to update your registration with a change of address or party affiliation, it is a good idea to check on your registration.
Here are the following steps to ensure you are registered to vote:
- The first step is to ensure your voting status – which can be accomplished on the Secretary of State's My Voter Page.
- On the page, you will see a box on the right side of the screen, where you will enter your first initial, last name, county of residence and date of birth.
- After entering this information, it will direct you to a box where you will enter your Georgia ID or driver's license number.
- If you are registered to vote, you will find your registration information, the name and address of your precinct, a link to both the early voting and absentee ballot dropbox locations for your county, and a sample ballot.
The page will also list your U.S. Congressional District, your Georgia Senate District and Georgia House District, with links to each of those persons' official web pages.
How to register if you've changed your address:
If you've moved to a new address in Georgia, you will have to register to vote with your new address.
You can go to the Secretary of State's My Voter Page:
- There, you can check to see if you're registered at your new address or click the tab to register.
- In step one, you'll have to fill out your information.
- In step two, be sure to check "change voter registration" and check "address change for reason."
- Continue to fill out your information as you normally would for the remainder of the registration form.
Additionally, registered voters will be able to check out the absentee ballot portal to download an absentee ballot application and view their voter participation history.
Voting in Georgia
How to register to vote in Georgia
When it comes to Georgia elections, the greatest resource is the Georgia Secretary of State's website.
People can register to vote on the My Voter Page. Here's more information on how to register and if you need to make changes to your registration.
Even voters who participated in the last election are encouraged to check their voter status to ensure that they have not been removed from the voter rolls. Here's how.
How to request an absentee ballot
While many people will line up at the polls, some people are opting to vote by mail via an absentee ballot. Before you can cast your vote by mail, you must request your ballot by the deadline.
Here's all you need to know about requesting an absentee ballot for the upcoming elections, including important dates.
Watch the videos in the YouTube playlist below so you're caught up on what you need to know before you head to the polls:
11Alive is committed to helping you vote confidently by understanding the 2024 election issues that impact you. Our goal is to educate and inform our audience about the election process. We plan to do that by verifying facts, providing context, and explaining the system. Get more election resources here at /vote.