How to Register to Vote in Georgia

Filling out a Mail-In Application

Get a copy of the registration form online or from a local government building. Look on the website for Georgia’s Secretary of State for a fillable PDF copy of the application. If you don’t have access to the internet or a printer, check with your county’s registrars’ or election office to pick up a copy of the application so you can fill it out. You may also be able to find copies of the registration form at your local library, schools or universities, and other government offices. You can find a printable PDF of the application here: https://sos.ga.gov/sites/default/files/forms/GA_VR_APP_2019.pdf.

Fill out the form in its entirety in ink. Choose either a black or blue pen to use on the application so the information cannot be altered later on. Print all of your information legibly so it’s easy to read and doesn’t cause any confusion. Include your personal information, like your full name, address, phone number, birthday, and your Georgia driver’s license number. Sign your name on the line at the end of the application to verify the information is accurate. If you downloaded the PDF of the application on your computer, you can type in your information so you don’t need to write it by hand. Leave the top line of the application blank since it’s only used by the Secretary of State’s office.

Include proof of residence if you’re registering for the first time. In order to register in Georgia, you need to be a resident of the state. Include a photocopy of your driver’s license or ID card with your current information on it. You can also use a copy of a utility bill, bank statement, or paycheck that has your name and current address on it. Place the proof of residency in the pocket on the application form. If you printed the application out, then put the proof of address in an envelope. If you do not provide proof of residence with your application, then you need to bring your proof of address with you the first time you vote. You don’t need to provide proof of residence if you include your license or ID number and the information is verified with a state database.

Mail your application to Georgia’s Secretary of State before the deadline. If you got your application from a government office, then peel the tape off along the edge of the application and fold it over to seal it. The form already has paid postage and an address printed, so drop it off at a post office or in a mailbox. If you printed the form out, place it in a stamped envelope so you can mail it out. Address your envelope to: Hon. Brian Kemp; Secretary of State; State of Georgia; PO Box 105325; Atlanta, GA 30348-9562. You can find the deadlines for all Georgia elections here: https://sos.ga.gov/page/election-calendar-and-events.Tip: You can also drop the application off at your local voter registration office if you don’t want to mail it or pay for postage.

Wait 2-4 weeks for your precinct card in the mail. The Secretary of State’s office will review your application to make sure the information is correct and accurate. Once your application is approved, the state will send you a precinct card that will tell you where you need to go to vote. After receiving your card, you’ll be able to vote in the next election as long as you submitted before the posted deadline. Contact your county’s office if you haven’t received any updates or information regarding your application after 3-4 weeks. You do not need to bring your precinct card with you when you go to vote.

Registering Online

Go to Georgia’s Secretary of State website for the online form. Log on to the Secretary of State’s website and click the “Elections” button from the top menu bar. Click on the “Register to Vote” option from the menu on the right side of the window to open the online form. Select the “I Want to Register to Vote!” option on the bottom of the page and then click the “Register to vote online…” option on the next screen. You can also access the online application here: https://registertovote.sos.ga.gov/GAOLVR/welcome.do#no-back-button.Tip: You can also use the site to check if you’re already registered in case you aren’t sure if you’ve registered before.

Choose to complete a new registration or update old information. Look at the top of the page for the “Type of Change” listing. If you’ve never registered before, select the “New Voter Registration” option. If you only need to update your name or address, pick “Change Voter Registration” followed by which information you need to edit. You cannot change the name on your voter registration unless you changed your name with Georgia’s Division of Driver Services (DDS) first.

Fill in your personal information on the application. Fill in all of the boxes that are marked with a red asterisk since they’re required for your application. Provide your full name, birthday, license or ID number, and your address. Continue through the pages of the form until you’ve completed the required fields. If you don’t have a driver’s license or an ID card, then you won’t be able to submit the application online, but you can continue to fill out the form and print off a completed copy of the form when you’re finished.

Submit the application once you’ve reviewed the information. On the final page of the application, review the information you provided to make sure everything is accurate and spelled correctly. Check the boxes on the left side of the screen and click “Next” to submit the application to the Georgia Secretary of State so they can review the information you provided. If any information is incorrect, press the “Back” button to go through the pages so you can make your changes.

Wait for 2-4 weeks to receive your precinct voting card. Once the Secretary of State department approves your registration application, they’ll send a precinct card that tells you where to vote during elections. Check your email or the Secretary of State’s website for confirmation on your registration status, and look for the card in your mail. If you don’t receive your card after 4 weeks, contact your county’s voting offices to let them know of your problem. You must be 18 at the time of the election in order to vote.