Spelman president urges students to confirm their votes are counted

People were still voting at 9:30 p.m. at Samuel H. Archer Hall at Morehouse College in Atlanta Tuseday November 6, 2018. Georgia NAACP won a lawsuit, and voting times were extended by three hours in two precincts near Spelman and Morehouse. STEVE SCHAEFER / SPECIAL TO THE AJC

People were still voting at 9:30 p.m. at Samuel H. Archer Hall at Morehouse College in Atlanta Tuseday November 6, 2018. Georgia NAACP won a lawsuit, and voting times were extended by three hours in two precincts near Spelman and Morehouse. STEVE SCHAEFER / SPECIAL TO THE AJC

The president of Spelman College is urging everyone to confirm their vote has been counted after many Atlanta University Center students encountered problems on Election Day.

Archer Hall at Morehouse College and Booker T. Washington High School were two of three Fulton County polling places that stayed open past 7 p.m. Tuesday night following a judge's order. There were complaints that students registered to vote were not found on the rolls and Washington High School ran out of provisional ballots.

People were still voting at 9:30 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 6, 2018, at Samuel H. Archer Hall at Morehouse College in Atlanta. STEVE SCHAEFER / SPECIAL TO THE AJC

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President Mary Schmidt Campbell penned a letter Thursday providing step-by-step instructions on how to complete provisional votes.

Part of the letter reads as follows:

“In Georgia, if you voted provisionally on Tuesday because you did not have acceptable state identification, your vote will not count if you don’t complete the necessary steps in two days. 

You have three days from the close of the polls to present acceptable identification to your county Election Registrars’ Office for your vote to count. Thursday marked Day 2. If you do not bring your state Identification by the deadline, your vote will not be counted.

Volunteers are offering free rides to Atlanta University Center students and others who need to complete the ID validation process for their provisional votes. To schedule a ride to the Election Registrars’ Office, call 1-888-730-5816, and someone will assist you. 

If you voted provisionally, please visit GoVoteGA.org, enter your contact information, and volunteers will help make sure your voice is heard in this historic election. Feel free to share this email if you know of any friends or family who received a provisional ballot Tuesday for any reason.

There are organizations working to provide assistance to make sure that all votes are counted and all voices are heard. The guidance below is courtesy of the Georgia Women's Action for New Directions and the New Georgia Project:

Thousands of provisional ballots were given out on Tuesday's Election Day amid mass reports of widespread machine malfunction, five-hour lines at some polling stations, and shortages of voting machines.

CONFIRM YOUR PROVISIONAL BALLOT 

If you received a provisional ballot, then time is short to make sure your voice is heard. This Friday, Nov. 9, by 5 p.m. is the deadline to take action. 

What to Do: 

I. Go to County Election/Registrar's Office [130 Peachtree St. SW] before 5 p.m. on Friday, Nov. 9

II. Present your provisional receipt letter to Clerk/Registrar

III. Present documentation as needed

IV. Get proof of your vote being counted

What You Should Take: 

· Proof of citizenship

· ID (examples: driver’s license, government ID, school ID, conceal carry license)

· Provisional ballot receipt letter (if you have it)

Also, if you cast a provisional ballot, please fill out the form at this link.

If you need assistance or are unsure if you received a provisional ballot, then the New Georgia Project can help. Call toll free 866-OUR-VOTE or visit GoVoteGA.org at any time. 

CONFIRM YOUR ABSENTEE OR EARLY VOTE

Georgia voters who voted via early OR absentee ballot can visit mvp.sos.ga.gov to see your personal voter page and confirm your vote went through. Just enter your info, and click the "Click here for Absentee Ballot status" link in the lower left box.

Even if you just early voted, and didn't absentee vote, it will still show you whether or not it was counted. If you need assistance or your vote is not as it should be, then the New Georgia Project can help. Call toll free 866-OUR-VOTE or visit GoVoteGA.org at any time. 

This Friday, Nov. 9, by 5 p.m. is the deadline to take action.”

PREVIOUS COVERAGE:

READ | Voters still lined up as troubled Fulton County poll closes

READ | Voting hours extended at three Fulton County locations in Atlanta

READ | Jesse Jackson: Issue at Fulton precinct is 'classic voter suppression'

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