Oct. 9 is Deadline To Register to Vote For President

The deadline to register to vote in Georgia's general election is Oct. 9 and if you’re unsure if you're registered, visit the Georgia Secretary of State website.

In DeKalb County, residents can register to vote at the DeKalb County Elections Office at 4380 Memorial Drive, Suite 300, Decatur, GA 30032. The office phone number is 404-298-4020.

Applications can also be mailed to the Georgia Secretary of State at Box 105325, Atlanta GA  30348-9562.

Registration applications can be picked up at the county libraries or on the election office website. 

To register to vote in the state of Georgia, you must be:

• A citizen of the United States
• A legal resident of Georgia and of the county in which you wish to vote
• At least 18 years of age by election day
  
  Also, you may not register to vote if you are currently: 
• Serving any sentence imposed by the conviction of a felony
• Judicially determined to be mentally incompetent

VOTER GUIDELINES

• In the state of Georgia, you do not have to register by political party to vote in the state's regular primaries or general elections.
• You may register to vote at any time, but you must be registered by the close of registration prior to an election if you wish to vote on election day, i.e., the application must be postmarked by the voter registration deadline. If you are not registered to vote, register today.
• If you are registering for the first time in Georgia, and you register by mail, you are required to provide one of the following acceptable forms of identification by mailing a copy or providing a copy during the absentee voting period.

1. Georgia driver's license, even if it's expired.
2. Valid state or federal government issued photo ID, including one issued by the Department of Driver Services or your county registrar's office.
3. Valid U.S. passport.
4. Valid employee photo ID from any branch, department, agency, or entity of the U.S. Government, Georgia or any county, municipality, board, authority or other entity of this state.
5. Valid U.S. military photo ID.
6. Valid Tribal photo.

Precinct cards are mailed within two to three weeks of submitting your voter registration application. If you do not receive your precinct card, please contact your local county registration office to check the status.

Here's the precinct locator and for more information regarding voter registration, please contact the Voter Registration Division at (404) 730-7072.

What's on the ballot?

The presidential election features the Democratic incumbent, President Barack Obama, against the GOP nominee, Gov. Mitt Romney. Gov. Gary Johnson of the Libertarian Party is the only other candidate currently on the Georgia ballot, although that could change.

Republican Howard Stopeck, a Virginia Highland resident, will face Democratic incumbent U.S. Rep. John Lewis for the District 5 Congressional seat. In the 4th Congressional District, incumbent Hank Johnson is opposed by J. Chris Vaughn.

There are several contested elections for state house and Senate seats. To see who's running, look at a sample ballot on the elections office webpage.

Voters will also decide if the state can override local school boards' decisions on rejection of charter schools. The measure, House Resolution 1162, would mean amending the state's current constitution.

The ballot will also allow voters to indicate support or opposition for stopping unlimited gifts from lobbyists to state legislators.

Georgians will also be able to vote on two tax-related issues: adoption of an income tax credit for home energy costs and a reduction of sales taxes on products made in Georgia to help small businesses.

Election Day is Nov. 6, and the polls will be open from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. I