All the answers to your last-minute voting questions!

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If you’re a procrastinator and hoping to vote in the May 24 primary, you’re out of luck–unless you registered to vote by April 25. That’s the bad news.

But the good news is that voters who hate standing in Election Day lines can take advantage of early voting, which starts Monday, May 2 and runs through Friday, May 20.

Here are answers to other often-asked questions:

How can I find out if I’m registered to vote?

Go to the Georgia Secretary of State’s My Voter Page or check out Vote.org.

How do I find out where I vote? 

It’s easy to find your polling place from the Secretary of State’s My Voter Page. You can also download a printable precinct card and get a sample ballot for your county. Just enter your name, county and birthdate. You can do the same at Vote.org using your address. 

How do I get an absentee ballot? When’s the last day I can submit an application for one?

Here is the request form for a Georgia absentee ballot. All absentee ballot requests must be received (not postmarked!) by May 13. You can mail or fax your application–or drop it by your county elections or registrar’s office. You can also use the Secretary of State website’s online absentee ballot portal to upload the completed application directly.

How do I find an absentee ballot dropbox? 

After you’ve marked your choices, you can mail in your absentee ballot or use a dropbox. Drop boxes don’t require any postage, by the way. Check with your County Elections Office to find your closest drop box location.

Here’s helpful information from The Georgia Voter Guide that will answer all your questions about using absentee ballot drop boxes since SB 202 passed last year.

I missed the deadline to register to vote for the May 24 primary. Can I still register to vote for the general election in November?

Yes! You have until October 11 to register to vote on November 8 in the general election.

Where can I find a calendar showing the dates and deadlines for this year’s elections?

It’s right here on the Georgia Secretary of State’s website.

Can I vote for candidates in different parties in the primaries? For example, can I vote for a Republican in the Secretary of State race, but then vote for a Democrat in a congressional House seat?

No. You have to pick Democrat, Republican, or non-partisan. Non-partisan means you don’t get to vote for any party’s candidate but you do get to vote in non-partisan races, like judges, and for referendums, like the T-Splost transit tax on the ballot for City of Atlanta residents. 

If you choose a Democratic or Republican ballot, you’ll get a ballot that lists that party’s candidates in addition to the non-partisan choices. Your choice carries over for any runoffs for the primary, but not for the general election on November 8.

When is the runoff to the May 24 primary?

June 21, if needed.

I work during the weekdays and can’t get away to early vote. I don’t trust that my absentee ballot will get in on time. Is weekend voting available?

Yes. You can vote on two Saturdays: May 7 and May 14 before the May 24 primary. Some counties will offer an additional voting option on Sunday, May 15. Check with your local elections office to see if it’s participating. 

By the way, Georgia law (O.C.G.A. 21-2-404) gives you the right to take unpaid time off from work to vote. Read the fine print for exceptions.

What ID do I need to bring with me when I go to vote?

You’ll need a valid state or federal government-issued photo identification such as a driver’s license. You also can use a free ID card issued by your county registrar’s office or the Georgia Department of Driver Services. U.S. passports, student IDs, tribal photo IDs, and military IDs also are acceptable. 

If you can’t provide an ID, you can vote using a provisional ballot. Note: If you’re a first-time voter and you don’t have an ID at your poll, you’ll need to provide a copy of your ID to your county board of elections and registration within three days of the election to make your provisional ballot count.