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Voter Registration Deadline (postmarked or received by): 5th Monday before Election Day
If the deadline falls on a legal holiday, the deadline will move to the next business day.
A specific turnaround time applies to voter registration drives turning in applications they collect. See below.
Training Requirement: There is no training requirement but the county boards of registrars offer optional training on completing the state registration form and procedures for voter registration groups.
Notification and Registration Requirements: Georgia does not have a requirement that drives register but it does have requirement that drives provide certain notices to applicants registering through the drive, and the state asks for a transmittal summary when applications are turned in. See below. There are several other rules including various site restrictions. The state’s manual for drives is found here and includes links to several required forms:
sos.ga.gov/sites/default/files/2022-
02/voter_registration_rules_and_procedures_manual_-
_2020_1.pdf
Compensation Restrictions: Do not pay registration drive participants based on how many registrations they collect. In Georgia, it is a crime to receive, accept, offer, or provide compensation for soliciting persons to register to vote based on the number of persons registered.
State Form: The state mail-in voter registration application can be downloaded and printed from the Secretary of State’s website. State forms are also available in bulk from the secretary of state or county boards of registrars: sos.ga.gov/sites/default/files/forms/GA_VR_APP_2019.pdf
Applicants with a Georgia driver’s license or identification card issued by the Georgia Department of Driver Services can register to vote online:
registertovote.sos.ga.gov/GAOLVR/welcome.do#no-backbutton
Federal Form: The federal mail-in voter registration application may be used in voter registration drives: eac.gov/voters/national-mail-voter-registration-form/
Photocopying Blank Forms: Georgia allows photocopying blank forms for use in voter registration drives.
Submitting Completed Applications: A group conducting a voter registration drive must postmark or deliver a completed application within 10 days of receiving the application. However, if the group receives a completed voter registration application 14 or fewer days before the registration deadline, the group must transmit the application within 72 hours or by midnight on the close of registration, whichever is earlier.
Sealed Applications: Applications accepted by voter registration organizations from applicants must be sealed, unless the application is accompanied by a signed acknowledgement that the applicant willingly and knowingly provided the unsealed application.
ID number: Drive volunteers/staff may not tell voters they do not have to put their Georgia’s driver’s license or state ID card number on their voter registration application if the applicant has been issued one.
Application Assistance: All registration forms must be filled out by the applicant. Only applicants who are illiterate or disabled may receive assistance in completing the form. The person providing assistance must sign their name in the appropriate form section.
Photocopying Completed Applications: An organization conducting voter registration may not copy a completed registration application without the express, written permission of the applicant, and may only use such copy to verify the timely processing of the application by the board of registrars. Archival copies of completed voter registration applications must be destroyed within 90 days of submitting them to election officials. Copies must be kept secure and confidential and not disclosed to the public. A separate record may be kept of any information on the application that would otherwise be available for public inspection (which excludes month and day of birth, social security numbers, and driver’s license.
Required Voter Registration Notice: Specific notices must be provided to all applicants. A sample notice is available from the state. For more information go to: sos.ga.gov/index.php/elections/voter_registration_drive2
Fair Elections Center and Campus Vote Project intend the information contained herein to be used only as a general guide. This document should not be used as a substitute for consultation with a licensed Georgia legal professional.Last updated April 2024
For more information, visit
www.fairelectionscenter.org
