Make a Plan to Vote

 
 

PRIMARY ELECTIONS 2026

March 2: First Day to Request an Absentee Ballot

April 20: Last Day to Register to Vote

April 27: First Day of Early Voting

May 2 and May 9: Statewide Saturday Voting

May 8: Last Day to Request an Absentee Ballot

May 15: Last Day of Early Voting

May 19: Election Day

 
 

New restrictions on voting, what you need to know:

Step 1: You must Register to Vote

In the State of Georgia, you must be registered to vote 28 days before the Election Day. If you fail to register to vote before this deadline, you will not be able to vote for the election cycle that will take place 28 days later.

Check Your Voter Registration Status here!

*IF YOU REGISTER TO VOTE AFTER APRIL 20TH, 2026, YOU ARE NOT ABLE TO PARTICIPATE IN THE MAY 19TH PRIMARY ELECTIONS

Step 2: Make Sure Your ID is Ready.

Have your ID ready: In the State of Georgia, to vote, you must have one of the following ID ready to present to the Election Worker before you vote:

  • Any valid state or federal government issued photo ID, including a free ID Card issued by your county registrar's office or the Georgia Department of Driver Services (DDS)

  • A Georgia Driver's License, even if expired

  • 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. passport ID

  • Valid U.S. military photo ID

  • Valid tribal photo ID

  • Voter Identification card

However, there are other acceptable documents you can present as proof of your citizenship.

If you have any problems or questions on Election Day, please contact our Election Protection team at: 404-275-9005 or the Election Protection hotline at 1-888-VE-Y-VOTA / 1-888-839-8682

Step 3: Learn About Your Candidates

Be sure to review your ballot early and see what local offices and referendums you will vote on.

Visit these websites to get more information:

Vote 411
Branch

Step 4: Make a Plan

Vote Early and In Person:

In the State of Georgia, the best way you can vote is Early and In Person. Make sure to look up your early voting polling locations at the Advanced Voting Location Information Page.

Vote By Mail:

ATTENTION: Regulations for Voting by Mail have changed. Follow these instructions:

Submitting your Vote by Mail application and Voting by Mail.

  • In the state of Georgia you have to first apply to Vote by Mail. After this Application has been processed, you will then receive your ballot to vote by mail.

  • You can only submit your application by mail, upload it on the My Voter Page or turn in your application in person.

  • Request an absentee ballot. Download the application here. If you don't, nobody can get one for you.

Check the status of your application on the My Voter Page. This is how you do that:

  • Sign in with your voter registration information.

  • Click on "Absentee Ballot Portal” on the top bar.

 
 

 After you fill out your ballot, remember to include your:

  • Driver’s license number, a state ID number or other documentation, rather than a signature, to verify your identity. Review the instructions carefully.

You can request and submit your absentee ballot for the May 19th Primary Elections starting March 2nd until May 8th. You can send it by mail or submit it through your county’s absentee ballot dropbox. VOTE BY MAIL DROP BOXES WILL CLOSE WHEN INDICATED BY YOUR COUNTY ELECTION OFFICE (check yours here).

Once you have completed the Vote By Mail Application Process, you will then receive your actual Vote By Mail Ballot. Make sure you fill this ballot with a black pen and follow the instructions carefully. After you fill out your Vote By Mail Ballot, you can turn it in in the following ways:

  1. By Mail: If you are turning in your Vote by Mail Ballot by mail, your vote must be received no later than May 19th (Election day) at 7 p.m. to be counted.

  2. Vote By Mail Drop Box: If you are going to turn in your ballot through the Vote-by-mail Drop box, check your county election office for deadlines and addresses.

Voting on Election Day: Regulations for Election Day Voting have Changed

Make sure you have you ID with you (Review Step 2 for ID information)

You must make sure you go to your assigned precinct/polling Location. You will not be allowed to vote if you go to the wrong polling locations. You can check your polling location on the “My Voter Page”. Once you access your profile, click on “My Voting Location” on the top bar.