Georgia
1 Check ID Rules
Voting in Person
Georgia requires a photo ID to vote in person.
Option 1: Show an accepted photo ID
You can show (expired is OK):
- Georgia driver’s license
You can show (must be unexpired):
- Georgia state ID card
- Georgia Voter ID card
- Photo ID issued by the US government or any state
- US passport or passport card
- Student ID issued by a public college or university approved by Georgia’s Secretary of State (list available here)
- Tribal identification
- Military identification
- Employee ID issued by the US, Georgia, or local government
Option 2: Vote a provisional ballot
If you can’t present an accepted photo ID, you have to cast a provisional ballot. Provisional ballots make sure eligible voters are not turned away — but you must take extra steps for your vote to count.
To make your provisional ballot count:
- Appear in person at your county registrar’s office within 3 days after the election.
- Present an accepted form of photo ID.
- Find your local office.
How can I get a free ID in Georgia?
Free IDs are available for Georgia voters!
Georgia issues a free Voter ID card you can use to vote if you don’t have another accepted form of ID.
This ID is only intended for voting. You can get one at any county registrar’s office or Department of Driver Services (DDS) service center.
At a county registrar’s office, bring:
- Photo ID or an approved non-photo document proving your legal name and date of birth
- Proof that you’re registered to vote in Georgia
- A document with your full legal name and residential address
Find your local county registrar’s office.
At a DDS service center, bring:
- Original or certified proof of identity (e.g. a birth certificate or US passport) and any name changes
- Social Security card
- Two documents showing your residential address (e.g. a bank statement or utility bill)
- Proof that you’re registered to vote in Georgia
- A signed affidavit
What if I don’t have the right ID to vote in Georgia?
You can still vote a provisional ballot.
Registered Georgia voters who can’t present an accepted photo ID at the polls have to cast a provisional ballot, and must take extra steps for it to count. Appear in person at your county registrar’s office with an accepted photo ID within 3 days after the election.
Can I use a digital or mobile ID to vote in Georgia?
You must show a physical ID at the polls.
You cannot use an image, copy, or digital ID when voting in person. This includes digital licenses and state IDs from the Georgia DDS.
Do I need a “REAL ID” to vote in Georgia?
You do not need a “REAL ID” to vote in Georgia.
“REAL ID” is a set of national security standards for states to follow when they issue driver’s licenses and state ID cards. Your ID will show a star if it meets REAL ID standards.
Georgia now issues only REAL ID-compliant driver’s licenses and state ID cards. If you need to renew your Georgia license or ID (or apply for a new one), you must go through the REAL ID process. Visit the Georgia DDS website to learn more.
Voting by Mail
Any registered Georgia voter can request an absentee ballot. You don’t have to give a reason why you can’t vote in person. Georgia voters must provide specific ID numbers or a copy of an accepted ID twice — once when requesting and once when returning.
Requesting your ballot:
Request your absentee ballot from the Georgia Secretary of State. You can request online, in person, or by email, mail, or fax. Give one of these numbers:
- Georgia driver’s license number
- Georgia state ID card number
If you don’t have one of these numbers:
Mark on the application that you don’t have either number, and provide a copy or photo of an accepted ID. You can use:
- Any photo ID accepted to vote in person.
- A current utility bill, bank statement, paycheck, government check, or government document with your name and address.
Returning your ballot:
Print your Georgia driver’s license or state ID card number (and your date of birth) in the space provided on your ballot’s outer envelope.
If you don’t have one of these numbers:
- Mark on the outer envelope that you don’t have either number.
- Provide the last 4 digits of your Social Security number.
If you also don’t have a Social Security number, mark that on your ballot’s outer envelope and provide a copy of an accepted ID. You’ll get a message in your ballot package if you didn’t include the correct ID with your application — if that happens, put a copy of any required ID in your ballot’s outer envelope.
Frequently Asked Questions
How can I track my Georgia mail ballot?
Can I fix my Georgia mail ballot if it is rejected?
Once your absentee ballot is received by the county office, the registrar compares the number on your driver’s license or state ID card to your voter registration record to verify your identity. If you didn’t provide either number, the registrar examines the copies of the other documents you submitted with your application.
What to do:
- If the number is missing, doesn’t match your record, or your other ID documentation is insufficient, your county will contact you.
- They will provide a document you can use to submit the necessary ID and verify your ballot.
2 Register
Who can vote in Georgia?
You need to register before you can vote in Georgia.
You can vote in Georgia if you meet these requirements:
- You are a citizen of the United States.
- You are a resident of Georgia.
- You are at least 18 years of age on Election Day.
You cannot register to vote in Georgia if:
- You are currently serving a sentence for a felony conviction.
- You are under a court order that takes away your right to vote.
How to Register
Required ID Information
You have to verify your identity when you register to vote!
If you have a driver’s license or state ID card:
- Give your license or ID number on the registration form.
If you do not have either ID:
- Give the last 4 digits of your Social Security number.
- Don’t have a Social Security number? Leave this part of the form blank.
If you do not provide an ID number when you register, be ready to show an accepted ID the first time you vote.
Register to Vote Online
You can use this form to register in Georgia online.
Other Voter Registration Options
- Complete a registration form and send via mail.
- Visit your local election office or a voter registration agency to register in person.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I register to vote in Georgia if I have been convicted of a crime?
Each state has its own laws about whether citizens with previous criminal convictions can vote.
To check your eligibility to register in Georgia, visit Restore Your Vote.
Can I register to vote in Georgia if I attend college in Georgia?
College students are allowed to vote using their Georgia school residence address.
You can decide whether to register in your home state or where you attend school.
You may only be registered and vote in one location.
Can I register and vote on the same day in Georgia?
No, Georgia does not allow you to register and vote on the same day.
Check Georgia’s registration deadlines here!.
If the registration deadline for an upcoming election has passed, you can still apply to register. Your registration will be processed, and you will be registered to vote in future elections.
How do I fix or update my voter registration information?
If you cannot find your registration information or if any details are incorrect:
- Update your name, address, or political party affiliation by submitting a new registration.
- Contact your local election office if you have questions or need to make other changes.
Register to Vote in Georgia
Don’t have a state-issued ID? VoteRiders is here to help!
3 Vote
Voting in Person
If you are a registered Georgia voter but do not present an accepted photo ID when voting in person, you have to cast a provisional ballot.
Provisional ballots make sure eligible voters are not rejected at the polls. You need to take extra steps for your vote to count!
How to Make a Provisional Ballot Count
Appear in person at your county registrar’s office and present an accepted form of photo ID within 3 days after the election.
Voting by Mail
Any registered voter can request an absentee ballot in Georgia. You don’t have to give a reason why you can’t vote in person.
Request your absentee ballot from the Georgia Secretary of State. You can request a ballot online, in person, or by email, mail, and fax.
Georgia voters must provide specific ID numbers or a copy of accepted ID twice.
Frequently Asked Questions
How can I track my Georgia mail ballot?
Can I fix my Georgia mail ballot if it is rejected?
Once your absentee ballot is received by the county office, the registrar will compare the number on your driver’s license or state identification card to your voter registration record to verify your identity.
If you do not provide either of these ID numbers, then the registrar will examine the copies of the other documents you were required to submit with your application.
If the number is missing, does not match what is on record, or your other ID documentation is not sufficient for any reason, your county will contact you and provide a document that you can use to provide the necessary ID to verify your ballot.
