Georgia residents who want to cast a ballot in the state’s May 19th primary election have a little more than a week to make sure they are registered to vote, with early voting starting soon after that.
This year’s election cycle will feature a closely-watched race for governor, as Republican Brian Kemp is term-limited and can’t seek re-election. The Republican and Democratic primaries each feature multiple candidates, as does the Republican primary for U.S. Senate, with multiple people seeking the chance to face Democratic incumbent Jon Ossoff in November.
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In order to vote in the May 19 primary, Georgia voters must be registered by April 20. In order to register, you must be a U.S. citizen, a legal resident of Georgia and of the county in which you wish to vote, and at least 17-1/2 years of age to register, and 18 to vote. You can register to vote on the Georgia Secretary of State’s website.
Georgia voters do not need to be registered with a particular political party in order to vote in that party’s primary. In fact, party affiliation is not part of the registration process in the state. The state has open primaries, meaning voters can choose which party’s primary ballot they want, when they vote.
Absentee voting, or vote by mail, is an option for Georgia voters, and you don’t have to be absent from the county on election day in order to use this method. You do have to request an absentee ballot, which can be done online or by mail, and the request must be submitted by May 8 for the primary election.
Early voting runs for three weeks prior to election day, including two Saturdays. Voters can cast a ballot at any early voting location in their county. You can find the dates, locations and times of early voting in your community with the interactive map below, or the county-by-county listing.
On Election Day, Tuesday, May 19th, polls will be open from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Voters must cast their ballot at their assigned precinct.
Whether you are voting early or on election day, you must show one of the following forms of photo identification:
- Any valid state or federal government-issued photo ID, including a free ID card issued by your county registrar’s office or the Georgia Department of Driver Services.
- A Georgia driver’s license, even if expired
- Student ID from a Georgia public College or University
- 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
- Valid U.S. passport ID
- Valid U.S. military photo ID containing a photograph of the voter
- Valid tribal photo ID containing a photograph of the voter
News4JAX is working to compile its Voters’ Guide with information about all of the races on the ballot across Southeast Georgia. It will be available online before early voting begins.
Brantley County
Brantley County Elections, 10305 N. Main St., Nahunta
- Weekdays, April 27-May 15: 8 a.m.-5 p.m.
- Saturdays, May 2 & 9: 8 a.m.-5 p.m.
Camden County
Camden County Annex, 107 N. Gross Rd., Kingsland
- Weekdays, April 27-May 8: 8 a.m.-5 p.m.
- Weekdays, May 11-15: 8 a.m.-6 p.m.
- Saturdays, May 2 & 9: 9 a.m.-5 p.m.
St. Marys Welcome Center, 400 Osborne St., St. Marys
- Weekdays, May 11-15: 8 a.m.-6 p.m.
- Saturday, May 9: 9 a.m.-5 p.m.
Woodbine Government Services Complex (1st floor), 200 E. 4th St., Woodbine
- Weekdays, April 27-May 8: 8 a.m.-5 p.m.
- Saturdays, May 2 & 9: 9 a.m.-5 p.m.
Charlton County
Charlton Elections Office, 1520 Third St., Folkston
- Weekdays, April 27-May 15: 9 a.m.-5 p.m.
- Saturday, May 9: 9 a.m.-5 p.m.
St. George Community Center, 13063 Florida Ave., St. George
- Saturday, May 2: 9 a.m.-5 p.m.
Clinch County
Clinch County Courthouse, 25 Court Sq., Homerville
- Weekdays, April 27-May 15: 9 a.m.-5 p.m.
- Saturdays, May 2 & 9: 9 a.m.-5 p.m.
Glynn County
Glynn Board of Elections, 1709 Gloucester St., Brunswick
- Weekdays, April 27-May 15: 8 a.m.-5 p.m.
- Saturdays, May 2 & 9: 9 a.m.-5 p.m.
Ballard Community Building, 30 Nimitz Dr., Brunswick
- Weekdays, April 27-May 15: 8 a.m.-5 p.m.
- Saturdays, May 2 & 9: 9 a.m.-5 p.m.
St. Simons Island - Fire Station 2, 1929 Demere Rd., St. Simons Island
- Weekdays, April 27-May 15: 8 a.m.-5 p.m.
- Saturdays, May 2 & 9: 9 a.m.-5 p.m.
Pierce County
Pierce Courthouse Annex, 312 Nichols St., Suite 2, Blackshear
- Weekdays, April 27-May 15: 8:30 a.m.-5 p.m.
- Saturdays, May 2 & 9: 9 a.m.-5 p.m.
Ware County
Ware Board of Elections, 408 Tebeau St., Waycross
- Weekdays, April 27-May 15: 7:30 a.m.-5:30 p.m.
- Saturdays, May 2 & 9: 7:30 a.m.-5:30 p.m.
Ware County Admin Building, 305 Oak St., Waycross
- Weekdays, April 27-May 15: 7:30 a.m.-5:30 p.m.