More than 10,000 voters were expected to have used Georgia’s new online voter registration system by close of business Monday on the final day to register for the May 20 primary election.
Secretary of State Brian Kemp’s office said Monday morning that the number of the system’s users had ticked past 8,000, including both new voters and previously registered voters who needed to update their residency information. A final number will be released later this week, as the state prepares to open early voting for the primary starting April 28.
This is the first time the state has ever used an online system, which Kemp launched March 31 along with new mobile apps that allow access to personalized voter information, including polling locations and sample ballots.
The biggest hurdle, Georgia officials said, has been trying to build awareness about both the apps and the new online system. Just three days after the launch, Kemp announced about 1,000 voters had used the system. By Wednesday, that number had reached 4,000.
Both local officials and experts have said the online system is a win-win for voters and municipalities because it can help the state avoid issues with rejected registrations, the use of provisional ballots and nonvoting due to registration problems — all past problems in Georgia.
Although registration is closed after Monday, voters can still use the apps and the secretary of state's "My Voter Page" website (www.mvp.sos.ga.gov) to find information about their local elections.
Voters can download the free "GA Votes" apps for both Apple and Android operating systems using either the iTunes app store for an iPhone or iPad or Google Play for Android.
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