Your vote is your voice. Whether you’re voting for the first time or just need a refresher, this page has everything you need to participate in Georgia elections.
What you’ll find on this page:
2026 Election Dates
How to Register to Vote
Ways to Vote
What to Bring
Your Rights as a Voter
Helpful Links
2026 election dates
Mark your calendar. These are the deadlines that matter.
Special election runoffs (April 7) - you can only vote in the runoff if you were already registered to vote for the special election.
Judicial Election (Nonpartisan, May 19 — held alongside the primary; runoff June 16 if needed). Judicial candidates are nonpartisan and appear on all ballots regardless of party. Unlike partisan races, there is no November general election for judges — May 19 is it. The winner takes office January 1, 2027.
General Election — November 3
General Primary Election — May 19
Voter Registration Deadline: October 5
Early Voting: October 13 through October 30
Absentee Ballot Request Deadline: October 23
Election Day: November 3
Voter Registration Deadline: April 20
Early Voting: April 27 through May 15
Absentee Ballot Request Deadline: May 8
Election Day: May 19
Registration must be completed at least 29 days before any election. If you recently moved, update your address at mvp.sos.ga.gov. Your polling location may have changed.
register to vote
To vote in Georgia, you must be a U.S. citizen, a resident of Georgia and the county where you wish to vote, and at least 18 years old on Election Day.
How to register:
Online (fastest): Visit registertovote.sos.ga.gov. You’ll need a Georgia Driver’s License or State ID.
By paper: Pick up a form at your local library, post office, or county elections office.
Automatic registration: You may be automatically registered when you apply for or renew a Georgia driver’s license.
Check your registration even if you’ve voted before. Georgia voters can be removed from the rolls for several reasons, including change of residence, felony conviction, or inactivity. If a voter doesn’t vote or update their registration for several years, they are moved to “inactive” status. If they remain inactive through two or more general elections, they are removed entirely. Checking your registration before every election — especially if you haven’t voted recently or have moved — takes less than a minute and prevents surprises on Election Day.
Ways to Vote in Georgia
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Early voting lets you cast your ballot before Election Day at any early voting location in your county — no reason is needed. Locations may include recreation centers, libraries, and other public facilities.
Your county chooses its early voting sites and hours. Locations can change between elections. Always verify your county’s current locations before you go.
Find early voting locations: mvp.sos.ga.gov
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Any registered Georgia voter can request an absentee ballot — no reason required. You do not need to be sick, elderly, or out of town. Georgia has “no excuse” absentee voting, which means every registered voter qualifies.
How it works:
Request your ballot online at mvp.sos.ga.gov or by submitting a paper application to your county elections office.
Your ballot will be mailed to you.
Complete and return it before the deadline.
IMPORTANT — The “Received” Rule: In Georgia, your ballot must be physically RECEIVED by 7:00 p.m. on Election Day. Mailing it on Election Day is not enough. The U.S. Postal Service no longer guarantees same-day postmarks.
Follow the One-Week Rule: If it is less than 7 days before the election, use a ballot drop box or deliver your ballot directly to your county elections office instead of the mail.
Mailing timeline:
14+ days out: Safe to mail
7 days out: Last safe day to use mail
4 days out: Use a drop box instead
Election Day: Deliver directly to the county elections office
Important note about drop boxes: Ballot drop boxes are not standalone kiosks. They are located inside early voting locations and at the county elections office. They are only accessible during early voting hours, not 24/7. Always check your county’s drop box locations and hours before making the trip.
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Vote at your assigned polling location on Election Day. Polls are open from 7:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m.
Find your assigned polling place at mvp.sos.ga.gov. Enter your name, county, and date of birth.
Photo ID is required to vote in person in Georgia. Acceptable forms include:
Georgia Driver's License or State ID
U.S. Passport
U.S. Military ID (must contain your photo)
Employee ID issued by a U.S. or Georgia government entity (must contain your photo)
Tribal ID (must contain your photo)
Student ID from a Georgia public college or university on the Secretary of State's approved list
Georgia Voter ID card (free — available at your county Election Office or any DDS office)
Important: Physical ID only — digital or phone-based IDs are not accepted at the polls.
Don't have an accepted ID? You can still cast a provisional ballot and then present valid ID at your county registrar's office within 3 days after the election.
What to Bring
Your rights at the polls:
If you are in line at 7:00 p.m. when polls close, you are legally entitled to vote. Stay in line.
Voters who are 75 or older, disabled, or require assistance are permitted to move to the front of the line.
Voters with disabilities or who cannot read English may bring someone to assist them.
If your registration cannot be verified at the polls, request a provisional ballot. Do not leave without voting.
Provisional ballot — critical deadline: A provisional ballot will only be counted if you bring valid ID to your county elections office within 3 days of the election. If you cast a provisional ballot, put that deadline on your calendar immediately.
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If you believe that your rights are being violated, The Democratic Party of Georgia's VOTER PROTECTION HOTLINE is:
1-888-730-5816
Georgians can call OR text that number, and it operates in six languages: English, Spanish, Mandarin, Korean, Hindi, and Vietnamese.
Know Your Rights
Other voter situations
Voting from Abroad: What Georgia Students Need to Know
Students studying abroad can still vote in Georgia elections — and they're not limited to federal races only.
Using a UOCAVA ballot (Uniformed and Overseas Citizens Absentee Voting Act) as an "Overseas Temporary Resident," students can vote in federal, state, and local races. The key is requesting a paper/mail ballot rather than electronic delivery, which is only available for federal elections.
How to do it: Complete the Federal Post Card Application (FPCA) at fvap.gov. The FPCA handles everything in one form — it registers you to vote, updates your registration if you're already registered, and requests an absentee ballot for all elections that year.
Need help? Call or text the Democratic Party of Georgia's Voter Protection Hotline at 888-730-5816. Available in English, Spanish, Mandarin, Korean, Hindi, and Vietnamese.