Voting Challenges
This section includes the voting challenges.
Voting rules have changed since the 2020 elections. How can I get simple, clear voter information?
The rules are more complicated since a new election law (SB202) was passed in 2021. That’s why Jessica’s Guide was written!
Here’s how the guide is organized. From the Voter Education menu, click Jessica’s Guide to see a complete guide to voting in Georgia. It is organized around basic questions like “Why should I vote?” and “When can I vote?” Voting Resources take you to excellent resources on the web for learning more about the process and the issues. The Voter Education menu also includes a guide to creating your own voting plan.
Am I one of the people whose name has been removed from the voter registration list?
Sometimes names are removed, or purged, from the voter registration list.
A common reason for purging is that people did not update their address when they moved.
To find out if your name has been purged, check the status of your registration at My Voter Page.
Has your name been purged? The first step is to check your registration status even if you believe it is OK. To check your status online, go to My Voter Page. Log in with your name, birthdate, and county. If you are unable to log in, contact your county Board of Election. Make sure your address is up to date. If you are able to log in, you will see a green check mark under status.
How can I get to the polls if I don’t have a car? And what if I use a wheelchair?
If you need a ride to the Election Office or polling place, you can schedule a ride. Do so as early as possible! Two organizations provide ride service for people with disabilities, and both let you book a ride online: New Georgia Project and People’s Agenda. The two organizations work with each other and with churches, mosques, and seniors facilities.
The New Georgia Project’s Hotline is 1-800-874-1541.
People’s Agenda can be reached at 1-877-524-8683.
Wheelchair users. Because of the limited number of vans, plan when you want to vote and schedule a ride!
My vote can be challenged by other voters. What can I do to protect my vote?
The new election law allows individuals to challenge other people’s right to vote. This can even happen to anyone, so be prepared!
To help prevent this from happening to you, here’s what you can do. When you go to vote, bring proof of residency, such as a recent phone or utility bill. Also bring proof of citizenship, such as a passport or your naturalization papers.
◼️If your right to vote is challenged, you can seek help from the NAACP’s Legal Defense Team. Their email address is vote@naacpldf.org.
◼️General information about barriers to voting on Election Day.
The early voting period is shorter this time. How can I be sure I vote in time?
In Georgia, you are allowed to vote before Election Day. When you vote early you can avoid the lines, the crowds, and the confusion of Election Day!
Under the new election law, the length of time for early voting is shorter.
When you vote early in person, you need to find the address of early voting locations in your county. My Voter Page gives you these addresses.
When you vote early, you can use a drop box. Not every early voting location has a drop box!
With early voting you can mail your ballot to your county’s Election Office (Board of Elections).
My polling place is inaccessible.
Federal law, including the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), requires polling places and voting machines to be accessible.
◼️If you believe voting machines or other parts of the voting process are inaccessible, you can file a complaint with the Georgia Secretary of State.
◼️You should also reach out to the Election Protection Hotline when you see or experience barriers to voting. See the “Getting Expert Help” box for the contact information. You do not have to use your name.
It’s harder to vote by mail this time. What exactly do I need?
It’s harder to vote by mail this time. What exactly do I need?
If you can’t vote in person, you can vote absentee, or by mail.
When you vote absentee, you must request that a ballot be sent to you. You then fill it out.
◼️Find out more about Absentee Voting
When you vote absentee, you must sign the return envelope and provide ID on the outside (yellow) envelope. Absentee ballots are checked using ID information.
ID can be a little complicated. You can use your driver’s license number or the number of your state ID. Or, you can use the last four digits of your social security number. If you don’t have these forms of ID, find a copy of one of the acceptable forms of ID listed on the absentee-ballot instructions (see picture below). Put the copy in the yellow envelope.
What happens if your absentee vote is rejected? Absentee ballots are rejected for several reasons, including problems with your signature and ID.
◼️If your ballot was rejected because of problems with the ID, the Georgia Voter Guide says you can “take your ID personally to your County Elections Office, or you can send a copy by mail, email, or fax to your county election office. We recommend doing this in person if at all possible. Hurry, you must do this within three business days following the election date to have your ballot counted!”
◼️If your ballot was rejected because of the signature, you can, according to the Georgia Voter Guide, “fill out an "Absentee By Mail Ballot Signature Cure Affidavit Form…. Call your County Elections Office to request this form or go to their offices with the proper ID. You can even complete the form right there in their offices. You must complete this within three business days following the election date to have your ballot counted!”
It’s harder to use a Drop Box this time. When and Where can I use one?
Starting in 2022 there will be fewer drop boxes than in earlier years. They will also be available fewer hours. For many, it will take longer to travel to a nearby drop box. Drop boxes are also only in government buildings and only during business hours (9 am - 5 pm).
So, if you want to use a drop box to vote early or absentee, do your homework before you vote! Contact the Board of Elections in your county to find out the location and hours of nearby drop boxes. Use your voting plan and write down the location and hours of a convenient drop box.
You can also submit your ballot to the county Board of Elections during business hours. Call before you go there
About drop boxes…
◼️Every county, including rural countries, must have a drop box.
◼️You can use only those drop boxes located in your county.
◼️Not all early voting locations have drop boxes.
◼️You do not need a stamp on your ballot.
◼️Someone else can submit your ballot in a drop box, but the person must be a family member, caretaker, or someone else in your household. It is illegal for someone else to turn in your ballot if that person is not a family member or caretaker, or does not live in your house.
◼️General information about using drop boxes to vote absentee
It’s no longer legal to get food and water relief while in line to vote. What is legal?
Lines! If you vote in person on Election Day, you’d better be ready for lines.
The good news is that people older than 75 and people with a disability do not have to wait in line on Election Day. Between 9:30 am and 4:30 pm, they can talk to a poll walker and ask to move to the front of the line.
More good news: you can bring your voting plan and a list of people you want to vote for.
If you do wait in line, make sure to bring a snack and water bottle. It’s also a good idea to “pack an umbrella for sun or rain, a hat, proper sunscreen, and necessary medications.”
Why? In the new election law, no one is allowed to give you food or something to drink. People who give you food or drink within 150 feet of the voting building (the “buffer zone”) can be charged with a crime.
Poll workers are allowed, but not required, to provide self-serve water coolers or bottles.
Tip: the best way to avoid lines and complications of Election Day is to vote early or absentee.
What if you are in line when the poll closes and you are not allowed to vote? According to the Georgia Voter Guide: “Remind the poll workers that Georgia law requires them to allow people to vote who were in line before closing time.
Then call the Election Protection Hotline at 1-866-OUR-VOTE (1-866-687-8683) or text “Our Vote” to: 97779 to report the issue. You can remain anonymous when you call if you wish.”
I’m still having problems with voting this year. How can I advocate for my voter rights?
Remember, voting is your right and your responsibility. Lawyers and other experts are available to help if you are having problems voting.
◼️You can use the Election Hotline if you need help (see the “Getting Expert Help” box).
◼️You can report accessibility issues to Office of Georgia’s Secretary of State.
◼️If you believe you have been denied the right to vote due to disability or the right to accessible voting, please contact the Georgia Advocacy Office at (800) 537-2329 or (404) 885-1234 (voice or TTY).
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