This is it, Georgia — today's the last day to avoid Election Day lines and join the record numbers who've already cast their ballots in the presidential election.
Nearly 2.2 million voters have already cast their ballots in Georgia, nearly 300,000 more than had voted during the entire 2012 early voting period. What’s more, Secretary of State Brian Kemp said Friday morning that voters have also shattered the 2008 early voting record of 2.1 million.
The number is only going to rise. Multiple polling locations are open in metro Atlanta counties and several sites are reporting lines today as voters try to get their ballots in by close of business. In Cobb County, the wait time today at one location topped three hours.
Polls will be closed over the weekend and Nov. 7. They reopen 7 a.m. through 7 p.m. on Tuesday, Election Day.
How to vote early in Georgia
Any voter registered in Georgia can vote early.
Local elections offices post early voting locations on their websites. As a bonus, several metro Atlanta counties, including Cobb, Fulton and Gwinnett, also post expected wait times.
- When and where to vote early in Cobb County
- When and where to vote early in DeKalb County
- When and where to vote early in Gwinnett County
- When and where to vote early in North Fulton
Be aware that your regular neighborhood polling place will likely not be open; often, local municipalities only open select sites during the state’s 21-day early voting period, which ends today.
You can log onto the Secretary of State Office's online "my voter page" website (www.mvp.sos.ga.gov/MVP/mvp.do) to find a sample ballot or specific early voting location.
You can also call your local elections office to find early voting locations or look for the "advance voting info" link under the elections tab of the Secretary of State Office's website (www.sos.ga.gov).
Dos and don’ts for voting in Georgia
Don’t forget to bring photo identification, which can include a Georgia driver’s license, even if it’s expired; a state-issued voter identification card; a valid U.S. passport; or a valid U.S. military photo ID.
No “ballot selfies” are allowed at the polls, so wait until you’re outside to snap a photo. It is illegal in Georgia to take pictures of a ballot or voting equipment, but the Secretary of State Office has said it has seen voters in previous elections post “ballot selfies” on social media — something that could get you in trouble with the law.
Information about local elections and your “My Voter Page” can also be found on the free “GA SOS” app for your smartphone via iTunes or Google Play for Android.
- What's on the ballot in Georgia on Nov. 8?
- Atlanta MARTA and Transportation Tax Referendums on the ballot
- Amendment 1: Statewide, Voters will decide on Gov. Nathan Deal's Opportunity School District
- Absentee ballots and early voting in Georgia's 2016 election
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