Today is the deadline to register to vote for Georgia’s U.S. Senate runoffs.
Eligible Georgians can sign up to vote in the runoffs even if they didn’t participate in the Nov. 3 general election, according to state law.
The Jan. 5 runoffs could decide which political party controls the U.S. Senate. Republicans hold a two-seat advantage heading into the election.
Republican U.S. Sens. David Perdue and Kelly Loeffler will face Democrats Jon Ossoff and the Rev. Raphael Warnock. None of the candidates won a majority in the general election, forcing the races into runoffs.
Election officials have warned out-of-state residents against moving to Georgia for the sole purpose of voting in the runoffs. It’s illegal to move to Georgia with the intention of voting and then quickly leaving.
There are over 7.6 million voters already registered in Georgia, and turnout reached 5 million in the general election.
First-time voters or those who have moved to a new county must register to vote if they want to participate in the Senate runoffs.
Voters can check whether they’re registered online on the state’s My Voter Page at www.mvp.sos.ga.gov.
To be eligible to register to vote in Georgia, you must be a citizen, legal resident and more than 17 1/2 years old (though you can’t vote until you’re 18). In addition, you can’t be serving a sentence for conviction of a felony or found mentally incompetent by a judge. The secretary of state’s office recently clarified that people who have completed their felony sentences but still owe court fees or restitution can register to vote.
How to register to vote in Georgia
Check whether you’re already registered online at www.mvp.sos.ga.gov.
Register to vote online if you have a valid Georgia driver’s license or identification card at registertovote.sos.ga.gov.
Print and mail a voter registration application if you don’t have a Georgia driver’s license or state ID. Paper applications can be printed from the Georgia secretary of state office’s website at sos.ga.gov/admin/files/GA_VR_APP_2019.pdf. Registration forms are also available at county elections offices.
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