Voting Access Scorecard - Georgia
The Franchise Project’s Voting Access Scorecard ranks how accessible voting is in Georgia. The Voting Access Scorecard measures the accessibility of American elections by analyzing state election laws and practices. Each state’s performance is based on 30 measurable metrics shown to affect accessibility and foster participation. All metrics are weighted equally to fairly assess all states and their practices. If answered in the affirmative, each metric is worth 1 point, for a total of 30 points. Note that if a practice varies by county or municipality, e.g. the number of early voting locations in Wisconsin, the state only received 0.5 points for that metric. Note: Y=Yes, N=No, and V=Varies by Municipality/County.
Currently, Georgia ranks 31. You can make a difference! Take action now!Overall score: 14 / 30
Y=Yes, N=No, V=Varies by County/Municipality
| State registration deadline is the Friday before Election Day or later OCGA § 21-2-224: http://law.justia.com/codes/georgia/2010/title-21/chapter-2/article-6/21-2-224 | N |
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| State offers Election Day registration OCGA § 21-2-224: http://law.justia.com/codes/georgia/2010/title-21/chapter-2/article-6/21-2-224 | N |
| State has automatic registration In 2016, the Georgia Department of Driver Services enacted an "opt-out" rather than "opt-in" voter registration policy. The Telegraph: http://www.macon.com/news/local/article147934484.html | Y |
| State does NOT create barriers to voter registration by third parties (e.g. allows third party registration, does not require registration drive training or notification) Georgia Secretary of State: http://sos.ga.gov/index.php/Elections/register_to_vote | Y |
| State does NOT impose fines or criminal penalties for negligent/accidential voter registration mistakes OCGA § 21-2-33.1: http://law.justia.com/codes/georgia/2010/title-21/chapter-2/article-2/part-1/subpart-1/21-2-33-1 | Y |
| State offers early voting/in-person absentee voting in multiple locations per municipality/county Locations determined by the county. Georgia Secretary of State: http://sos.ga.gov/elections/CountyContacts/AdvanceVotingDisplay.aspx | V |
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| State offers early voting/in-person absentee voting during evenings and/or weekends Hours determined by the county. Georgia Secretary of State: http://sos.ga.gov/elections/CountyContacts/AdvanceVotingDisplay.aspx | V |
| State allows no-excuse early voting/in-person absentee voting Georgia Secretary of State: http://sos.ga.gov/elections/CountyContacts/AdvanceVotingDisplay.aspx | Y |
| State holds all elections entirely by mail Georgia Secretary of State: https://www.mvp.sos.ga.gov/MVP/mvp.do | N |
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| State does NOT require an excuse to vote by mail OCGA § 21-2-380: http://law.justia.com/codes/georgia/2010/title-21/chapter-2/article-10/21-2-380/ | Y |
| State deadline to return absentee ballot is NO earlier than Election Day (via any type of delivery) Georgia Secretary of State: http://sos.ga.gov/admin/uploads/Voting_3_panel_for_website1.pdf | Y |
| State allows all voters to sign up to vote by absentee permanently Georgia Secretary of State: http://sos.ga.gov/index.php/Elections/absentee_voting_in_georgia | N |
| State allows voters to request vote by mail ballot online State of Georgia: https://georgia.gov/popular-topic/voting-georgia | N |
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| State allows voters to register online Georgia Secretary of State: https://www.mvp.sos.ga.gov/MVP/mvp.do | Y |
| State allows voters to check their Election Day polling location online Georgia Secretary of State: https://www.mvp.sos.ga.gov/MVP/mvp.do | Y |
| State allows voters to check their vote by mail status online Georgia Secretary of State: https://www.mvp.sos.ga.gov/MVP/mvp.do | Y |
| State does NOT require a Photo ID to vote on Election Day OCGA § 21-2-417: http://sos.ga.gov/index.php/elections/georgia_voter_identification_requirements2 | N |
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| State does NOT require a Photo ID to vote early or by mail Photo ID is not required for no-excuse when voting by mail, although it is required for early in person voting. Georgia Secretary of State: http://sos.ga.gov/admin/uploads/Voting_3_panel_for_website1.pdf | N |
| If ID required, State allows voter to vote through alternative process that does not require voter action (Note: full points received if no ID required at all) Provisional ballot not counted unless voter appears at county registrar and presents ID. Georgia Secretary of State: http://sos.ga.gov/admin/uploads/Voting_3_panel_for_website1.pdf | N |
| During voter maintenance process, if address has not changed, state allows voter to simply mail back confirmation form OCGA 21-2-233, 21-2-234(f): http://law.justia.com/codes/georgia/2010/title-21/chapter-2/article-6/21-2-234/ | Y |
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| State is NOT a member of Interstate Crosscheck Bryan Caskey, Kansas Secretary of State, Director of Elections (email communication, May 24, 2023) | N |
| State is Member of ERIC ERIC, http://www.ericstates.org/whowear John Lindback, ERIC Executive Director (email communication, May 25, 2023) | N |
| State refused to comply with the Pence-Kobach voter registration data request Atlanta Journal-Constitution: http://www.myajc.com/news/state--regional-govt--politics/georgia-share-data-with-trump-commission-voter-fraud/g1cIww5anWQoeiDGbTwa9K/ | N |
| State allows individuals to vote when their sentence is complete OCGA § 21-2-216: http://law.justia.com/codes/georgia/2010/title-21/chapter-2/article-6/21-2-216 | Y |
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| State allows individuals to vote during their term of incarceration OCGA § 21-2-216: http://law.justia.com/codes/georgia/2010/title-21/chapter-2/article-6/21-2-216 | N |
| State allows individuals to vote after incarceration, while on probation or parole OCGA § 21-2-216: http://law.justia.com/codes/georgia/2010/title-21/chapter-2/article-6/21-2-216 | N |
| State voting technology requires a paper trail Georgia has not established a requirement for permanent voter verifiable ballot or record. OCGA §§ 21-2-310 through 21-2-379.12: http://law.justia.com/codes/georgia/2010/title-21/chapter-2/article-9/ | N |
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| State requires poll worker training Training is generally required to work at the polls, but it is not required for a special election that is held between the date of the general primary and general election. OCGA §21-2-99(a): http://law.justia.com/codes/georgia/2010/title-21/chapter-2/article-2/part-4/21-2-99 | Y |
| State law requires voting machines to meet federal standards, testing by a federally accredited laboratory, or federal certification Secretary of State Rule 590-8-1-.01: http://rules.sos.state.ga.us/gac/590-8-1 | Y |
| State provides readily accessible voting technology information Georgia Secretary of State: https://www.mvp.sos.ga.gov/MVP/mvp.do | N |
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