Your vote is your voice as an American citizen. It’s your opportunity to be heard, to hold elected officials accountable for their decisions and to have a say in important issues that affect your community. On Election Day, every vote matters.
When you get to your polling place, proceed to the check-in desk and fill out a voter’s certificate with your name and address. The poll worker will also ask “Democratic or Republican.” This determines your access card or ballot. Next, show your photo ID. A poll worker will then check your photo ID, verify that you are registered and at the correct polling location, issue you a voter access card or ballot, whichever is applicable, and allow you to vote.
Identification Requirements to Cast a Ballot
Georgia law requires registered voters to show photo identification in order to vote in person. When you vote in person, you must show one of the following photo IDs:
– Any valid state or federal government issued photo ID, including the free Voter ID card issued by a county registrar’s office or the Georgia Department of Driver Services;
– A Georgia driver’s license, even if expired;
– A valid employee photo ID from any branch, department, agency, or entity of the U.S. Government, the state of Georgia, or any county, municipality, board, authority or other entity of the state of Georgia;
– A valid U.S. passport;
– A valid U.S. military photo ID; or
– A valid tribal photo ID.
** Please note that you must present this ID even if you have already provided the required voter registration ID. You must also present this ID if you are voting early in person.
If you DO NOT have one of these forms of photo ID, you can receive a FREE Georgia Voter ID Card. Just contact your county registrar’s office or a Department of Driver Services office. For more information, click HERE.
Have questions or need more information? Call 1-866-OUR-VOTE (1-866-687-8683)!
VOTING MACHINES
Georgia uses touch screen electronic voting machines. Instructions on how to use voting equipment are posted at each polling location. You may also ask a poll worker to explain the voting method at your polling location.
Below is a step-by-step guide to using a popular model of electronic voting machine.
1. Insert Card
Insert the voter access card into the slot to the right of the screen. The card should be face up with the arrow pointing left and should be pushed firmly into the slot until it clicks.
2. Read Instructions Screen
Before you begin the voting process, you can magnify or change the contrast of the ballot to help increase readability. To begin voting, touch the “Next” button on the screen. You will use the “Next” button to see each ballot page until you have reached the end of the ballot.
3a. Select Candidates or Issues OR Select Write-In if Desired
Touch the box on the screen next to your choice. An “X” will appear, designating your selection. To change or cancel your selection, touch the box again and make another selection. If there are write-in candidates for whom you wish to vote, select “Write-In” and a keyboard will appear on the screen.
3b. Select Write-In Candidate
Separately type the name of each person you want to write-in, then select “Record Write-In.” The normal voting screen will return and the name you entered will appear as the choice for that particular race. touch “Back” to review previous pages.
4. Review Your Ballot
On the Summary Page review your choices. Items in red are races that were left fully blank or not fully voted. If you want to vote for a race that was left blank or not fully voted, or change your vote for any race, just touch that race on the screen and you will be taken back to the proper page to make or change your selection.
5. Review Your Ballot for Verification
After reviewing the ballot, you can either cast or reject your ballot.
6. Cast the Ballot
Touch “Cast Ballot” when you are ready to record your vote. Once your ballot has been cast, the printer will scroll to hide your selections.
7. Finish: Remove Card
You have completed the electronic touch screen voting process. Remove your voter access card that will pop out and return it to a poll worker or place in a secured drop box.