Tomorrow is Election Day in Georgia Primary – Absentee Ballots Due

Election Protection Hotline Assistance Available 

‘Georgia is seeing record turnout this year, but we are concerned that historically marginalized voices may not be represented in that turnout.’

Tomorrow, May 24 is the last day to vote in the 2022 Georgia primary. Polls will be open from 7am to 7pm. 

Voters must vote at their designated precinct. After 5pm, voters may use a provisional ballot to vote at another polling place in their county, if they sign an affidavit that they cannot make it to their precinct’s polling place before 7pm. Out-of-precinct provisional ballots voted before 5pm may not be counted. This is a change from the 2020 elections.

Voters who cast provisional ballots should call the Election Protection hotline at 866-OUR-VOTE for follow-up information.

Voters must provide photo ID at the polling place. More information is available at https://georgia.gov/vote-in-person-election-day. 

The redistricting process has caused changes to precinct lines, requiring changes to some voting locations. Information on the state’s website may be out-of-date, so voters are urged to check with their county elections office to find their polling place. Voters can find contact and location information for their County Board of Registrars at https://elections.sos.ga.gov/Elections/countyregistrars.do.  

Voted absentee ballots must be received by the voter’s County Board of Registrars before 7pm tomorrow. Ballot drop boxes are no longer available. 

A few counties are reporting higher-than-expected rates of rejected absentee ballots. Voters can check the status of their mail ballot and find other information on the state’s “My Voter Page” at https://mvp.sos.ga.gov/s/. Voters whose ballots have been rejected should contact their county registrar to get more information and find options to cure the rejection. One of the most common reasons an absentee ballot is rejected is because it has not been properly signed.

Voters who have questions or problems can contact the nonpartisan Election Protection hotline at 866-OUR-VOTE. Started in the wake of the 2000 presidential election, the program is now run by a nonpartisan coalition of more than 100 organizations. It has more than 40,000 volunteers nationwide, including more than 1,000 in Georgia.

Voters who need transportation to vote can contact The People’s Agenda https://thepeoplesagenda.org/ or New Georgia Project https://newgeorgiaproject.org/rides/ and register for free rides to and from the polls.

Statement of Common Cause Georgia Executive Director Aunna Dennis

Georgia is seeing record turnout this year, but we are concerned that historically marginalized voices may not be represented in that turnout. More than 80% of the people who have already voted in the primary are over age 50. Black, Hispanic and Asian voters are underrepresented in the early turnout, compared to Census demographic data.

We are delighted to see that this year’s primary is drawing so many voters who did not participate in the 2018 primary elections –  but for our ‘government by the people’ to be truly representative, we all need to participate by voting.

Too many people are being discouraged, or finding it harder to vote, because of last year’s anti-voter legislation. 

This year, especially, it’s important for all of us to encourage each other to cast our ballots and have our voices heard.