Hurricane Irma: Georgia delays qualifying to fill seats in the state Legislature

<p>Hurricane Irma Forecast Track</p>

Credit: WSB-TV

Credit: WSB-TV

<p>Hurricane Irma Forecast Track</p>

Casting a wary eye on Hurricane Irma's expected path through Georgia, Secretary of State Brian Kemp announced Friday he would delay next week's start to qualifying for several open state House and Senate seats.

He also urged Georgians to confirm their registration status ahead of municipal elections in November.

Originally scheduled to begin Monday at the state Capitol in Atlanta (the day Irma is expected to barrel into Georgia), Kemp said qualifying for interested candidates would instead start at 9 a.m. Wednesday and end at 1 p.m. Friday.

Special elections to fill seats in House districts 42, 89, 117 and 119 as well as Senate districts 6 and 39 are scheduled for Nov. 7.

How to register to vote or check registration status:

• Check voter registration status using the state's "my voter page" at https://www.mvp.sos.ga.gov/MVP/mvp.do.

• Text “GA” to “2VOTE” to register to vote or to update your voter registration information.

• Do the same at registertovote.sos.ga.gov.

• Visit your local elections office if they are open.

• If using a paper voter registration form, Kemp urged Georgians to mail it as soon as possible. Applications postmarked by Oct. 11 will be processed regardless of when they are received by county election officials.