Voting Begins Early This Year in Georgia

Atlanta, Ga.—Georgia Secretary of State Karen Handel announced today that Georgia voters can cast ballots in-person for the General Election beginning Monday, September 22, 2008.

Voters will be able to vote at their county registrar’s office without providing a reason. 

Secretary Handel worked with the Georgia General Assembly to change the law to allow voters to cast ballots 45 days prior to an election, either by mail or in person without providing a reason.  

“Georgia will experience large voter turnout in the November General Election,” Secretary Handel said. “This change in the law gives voters more options to cast their ballot and will ease wait times on Election Day.” 

Voters can request a mail-in ballot or vote early in-person through Friday, October 31, 2008.

All mail-in ballots must be received no later than 7:00 p.m. by the county registrar on Election Day, Tuesday, November 4, 2008. Photo identification is not required when voting by mail.

To download a mail-in ballot request form, please visit http://www.sos.georgia.gov/ElectionCenter. 

To find early voting locations and operating hours in your county, please contact your county registrar’s office.

Contact information can be found on the Election Center website: http://www.sos.georgia.gov/ElectionCenter. 

Polls will be open from 7:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. on Tuesday, November 4, 2008.

Voters can find voter registration information, including polling locations and legislative districts, by visiting http://www.sos.georgia.gov/ElectionCenter. 

Voters casting ballots in-person during early voting or on Election Day will be required to show one of the following six forms of photo ID: 

• A Georgia driver’s license, even if expired;
• Any valid state or federal government issued photo ID, including a free Voter ID Card issued by your county registrar or Georgia Department of Driver Services (DDS);
• Valid U.S. passport;
• Valid employee photo ID from any branch, department, agency, or entity of the U.S. Government, Georgia, or any county, municipality, board, authority, or other entity of this state;
• Valid U.S. military photo ID; or
• Valid tribal photo ID.