MACON, Ga. — With election season officially underway, we've put together a guide with everything you need to know before you head to the polls.
As always, 13WMAZ is your go-to source for election information. Be sure to bookmark this story, as it will be updated with voter resources, candidate profiles and other election stories as we get closer to Election Day in November.
Also, under a new provision in Georgia law, workers can take two hours of paid leave to go vote -- though it must be arranged with your employer and cleared.
Key Dates:
- Oct. 7 Deadline to register to vote for General Election/ Runoff
- Oct. 15- Nov. 1 Early voting for the General Election
- Oct. 25 Deadline to request an absentee ballot for General Election
- Nov. 5 General Election
- Dec. 3 General Election Runoff
What are some of the major races
While many races were decided during the primary race, some contests are heading to a run-off. Here are some of the big races that are still outstanding:
Houston County Sheriff:
- Matt Moulton (R)
- Arthur Harris (D)
U.S. House District 2:
- Wayne Johnson (R)
- Sanford Bishop (D)
GA House District 145:
- Noah Harbuck (R)
- Tangie Herring (D)
U.S. House District 8:
- Austin Scott (R)
- Darrius Butler (D)
U.S. House District 10:
- Mike Collins (R)
- Lexy Doherty (D)
U.S. House District 12:
- Rick Allen (R)
- Liz Johnson (D)
Here are some other important things to be aware of.
- Every seat in Congress: That includes the seats currently held by Democrat Sanford Bishop and Republicans Rick Allen, Mike Collins and Austin Scott, who all represent parts of Central Georgia.
- Every seat in the Georgia General Assembly, including more than 20 state Senate and House seats in Central Georgia.
- Every sheriff’s job in the state – including those currently held by David Davis in Bibb County and Cullen Talton in Houston. Davis is running again; Talton, the nation’s longest-serving sheriff, is retiring.
- Every district attorney’s post statewide.
- And dozens of local and county races.
RELATED: 'A great safe place for my kids to grow up too' | Next Houston County District Attorney shares goals
State Elections:
Disclaimer: These races will be on the ballot for May and November voting.
There are possible races for the General Assembly and Congress.
Am I registered to vote?
If it's been a while since you've voted and you're unsure about your voter registration status, if you are new to Georgia and want to check your status, the Georgia Secretary of State's My Voter Page can help you with all of those. If you have recently moved somewhere else in Georgia, you can also update your registration in that portal.
Can I vote by absentee ballot?
You can apply for an absentee ballot right now. For registered voters to request an absentee ballot, they must complete an absentee ballot application and return it to their county registration office. You can return applications by mail, fax, as an email attachment, or in person to your local county Board of Registrar's Office. The deadline to request an absentee ballot is March 1.
What else does the My Voter Page portal show me?
Besides your registration information, the name and address of your precinct, and a link to the early voting location for your county, the portal also has information on the following: Your U.S. Congressional District, your Georgia Senate District, and Georgia House District, with links to each of those persons' official web pages. Links to a complete list of qualified candidates in the upcoming election (along with the last several elections) are also provided, as well as a sample ballot.
Where can I see a sample ballot?
You must sign in to the My Voter Page portal to access a county-specific sample ballot. You can also contact your local elections office.
Where is my polling place?
If you have lost your precinct card, don't remember where your precinct is located, or your precinct has changed since the last time you voted, the My Voter Page portal will tell you the location of your polling place. If you plan on voting early, it generally occurs at your county board of elections office and not at the polling place listed on your general voter registration.
What do I need to vote?
When you head to the polls, you'll need one of the forms of ID below to cast your ballot:
- A Georgia driver's license that the appropriate state agency issues
- A valid identification card issued by a branch, department, agency, or entity of the State of Georgia.
- A valid U.S. passport.
- A valid employee identification card with your photo issued by any branch, department, agency, or entity of the United States government in the state or any county municipality.
- A valid U.S. military ID with your photo.
- A valid tribal identification card with your photo.
- The State of Georgia offers a free voter identification card if you don't have one of the six acceptable forms of photo ID. The voter ID card can be issued at any county registrar's office or Department of Driver Services Office.
- To get one, you will need to provide:
- A photo identity document or approved non-photo identity document with your full legal name and date of birth.
- Document with your date of birth
- Evidence that you're a registered voter
- Document with your name and residential address