Voting early or at polls: What you need to know

Election Day is Nov. 4, but there are ways to beat the crowds expected that day. Here’s what you need to know about voting in Georgia, starting with Who can vote:

Any Georgia citizen who is at least 18 years old on election day, has not been found mentally incompetent by a court and is not still serving a sentence or has outstanding fines for a felony conviction. [A felon’s voting rights are restored if they have completed any sentences of probation or prison, are not on parole or probation and have paid all court-ordered fines and restitution].

Registration

If you haven’t already registered by the Oct. 6 deadline, you can’t vote in the Nov. 4 election.

Voting

There have been three ways to vote:

• Advance voting is being held this week, the final week before the election, Oct. 27-31. Metro Atlanta election officials have opened more voting sites, with extended hours. A government-issued ID is required.

• Early voting has been in progress at all county elections offices for several weeks. This was once known as “in person absentee voting,” but this election is the first time voters do not have to give a reason for voting weeks in advance of the election. A government-issued ID is required to vote.

• Election day voting is expected to be heavy. Polls are open 7 a.m.-7 p.m. and voters can verify their polling place online. Don’t forget a picture ID when you actually go to the polls.

• Applications to vote early by mail can be requested by mail, phone, fax, e-mail or in person. Certain information is required: name, date of birth, home address, type of election [general election], date and signature.

Close relatives can apply for an absentee ballot for voters who are disabled or temporarily outside the country. Voters are no longer required to have a reason for voting early.

You can find more information online, but it’s important to note that a completed absentee ballot must be sent to your county elections office with a postmark of no later than Nov. 4.

What not to wear

Campaigning is not allowed at polling places so poll workers will turn away anyone wearing a campaign T-shirt, button, cap or anything else advocating a candidate or a political party.

Trouble

Several organizations offer legal and other help with problems registering to vote, getting ballots, getting to polling places and voting on election day. Some of them are:

• Georgia Secretary of State Office, Elections Division: 404-656-2871, 1-877-725-9797

• Election Protection: 1-866-OUR-VOTE

• League of Women Voters: 678-547-0755

• ACLU Voting Rights Project: 877-523-2792

• Coalition for the People’s Agenda: 877-524-VOTE