Nearly 12,000 voters used Georgia’s new online registration system by Monday’s deadline, causing state officials to declare it a success as they prepare for the May 20 primary election.
The final tally — officially at 11,970 — more than doubled the goal of Secretary of State Brian Kemp’s office. The system registered 6,884 new voters, and 5,086 voters who were already registered used it to update their residency information.
The system launched March 31 along with new mobile apps that allow access to personalized voter information, including polling locations and sample ballots. Initially, the office set an internal goal of 5,000 people.
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 now closed, 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.
The state will open early voting for the primary next Monday.
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