Glossary
Definitions/expansions on critical terms we will use throughout this Guide.
Civic engagement: Working to make a difference in the civic life of one’s community.
Environmental degradation: The deterioration of the environment through depletion of resources.
Restoration: An act of restoring or the condition of being restored; bringing back to a former position or state.
Senate Bill (SB) 202: A new Georgia bill signed into law by Governor Brian Kemp in 2021 changes how elections are run in the state.
Voter suppression: A legal or extralegal measure or strategy used to influence the outcome of an election by discouraging or preventing specific groups of people from voting or registering to vote.
What to Bring to the Polls
To vote in person on Election Day, folks are required by Georgia law to present a valid form of photo identification. Here is a list of acceptable photo IDs:
U.S. passport ID
U.S. military ID
tribal photo ID
employee photo ID (must be federal, state, or city ID)
government-issued ID (e.g., drivers license)
voter identification card
How to Locate Your Polling Site
To find your Polling Site, Visit www.mvp.sos.ga.gov/MVP/mvp.do
*NOTE:
Senate Bill 202 + Early Voting
Depending on the county, voting will be available from Monday to Friday, with some Saturday and Sunday dates.
Ballot boxes will only be available inside of Early Voting locations.
Ballot Boxes are only available during in-person voting hours.
Early Voting ends the Friday before an election.
There are one drop boxes for every 100,000 active registered voters or the number of early voting locations in each county.
Source: www.ajc.com/politics/how-georgias-new-voting-law-works/GF6PLR44PNESPKR5FXCBE7VEOY/
Voter Registration
To cast a vote, each voter must fulfill specific requirements.
Voter registration eligibility requirements are:
Must be 17 ½ years of age at the time of registration
Be a citizen of the United States
Be a legal resident of this country
Not been found mentally incompetent as a judge
Not be serving a conviction of a felony involving moral turpitude
How to register to vote online?
Visit this link: https://registertovote.sos.ga.gov/GAOLVR/welcometoga.do#no-back-button
Complete the steps listed in this link. You can only use this method if you have a valid Georgia ID or Georgia driver’s license.
How to register to vote through mail:
Print this PDF form: https://registertovote.sos.ga.gov/GAOLVR/images/reg_form.pdf
Fill it out.
Mail this to the following address (this address is listed on the form)
Secretary of State
State of Georgia
P.O. Box 105325
Atlanta, GA 30348
It is crucial to check your voter registration even if you are already registered, and your personal information has not changed. The Secretary of State is in the process of removing “101,789 obsolete and outdated voter files from Georgia’s voter registration rolls to ensure the state’s voter files are up to date.” Each “voter file” represents a person on the ballot roll.
To check your voter registration status Visit https://www.mvp.sos.ga.gov/MVP/mvp.do
HOW HOUSELESS PERSONS REGISTER TO VOTE
Q/A
Q: Can someone who is homeless register and vote?
A: Yes. Persons experiencing homelessness can register and vote in all 50 states.
Q: What should this person list as their home address?
A: In previous times, the recommendation suggested that homeless registrants list a shelter address as their voting address to receive mail. Alternatively, before the COVID-19 pandemic, homeless registrants may denote a street corner or a park as their residence instead of a traditional home address. The federal voter registration form and many state forms provide a space for this purpose.
Q: Does the registrant need to have lived at this location for any particular length of time?
A: Most states have some duration of residency requirements for voter registration – for example, having resided for 30 days or more before the Election Day in the state or county.
Contact your local elections officials to find out what the rules are in your state.
Source: https://www.nonprofitvote.org/voting-and-homelessness/
For those living in Fulton County
You will need to apply for a Temporary Voter ID Card
Go to the window of the Central Government Building
130 Peachtree St SW (corner of Peachtree St SW and Mitchell St SW)
Office (Suite 20186)
Atlanta, Georgia 30303
Bring with you a letter from a program or shelter. Be sure to have the program or shelter to show the address to mail your Voter Registration.
For those living in DeKalb County
You will need to apply for a Temporary Voter ID Card
Go to the DeKalb County Board of Elections
4380 Memorial Drive, Suite 300
Atlanta, GA 30032
Bring with you a letter from a program or shelter. Be sure to have the program or shelter to show the address to mail your Voter Registration.
VOTING AND DOMESTIC VIOLENCE
If you are a voter in Georgia, your name and address on a voter list are public information. However, for those who may have been or are subject to family violence, stalking, or currently reside in a family violence shelter, the VoteSafe Programs holds confidential the residence of these individuals.
VoteSafe Program Eligibility requires the following.
Be a resident of Georgia
Be registered to vote
Have either a Protective Order under O.C.G.A. § 19-13-4 or a similar provision of law in another state;
Have a Restraining Order or a Protective Order order under O.C.G.A. § 16-5-94 or a similar provision of law in another state; or
Or a resident of a family violence shelter as defined in O.C.G.A. §19-13-20.
The VoteSafe Program requires an application, an affidavit, or resident certification. Once you have completed all of the documents, the documents must be submitted to your County Registrar. Find your office here.
Due to the lengthy application process, be sure to apply for the VoteSafe Program as early as possible.
DEADLINE TO REGISTER TO VOTE IN NOVEMBER ELECTIONS
October 4, 2021
*Note: If registering by mail, the envelope must be postmarked by this deadline*
Poll Expectations
With the increase in voter suppression and the passage of the Senate Bill (SB) 202, here is a way to address the most common tactic.
I registered to vote, but the poll worker says I'm not on the list of registered voters. What can I do?
Your rights
All voters are entitled to a provisional ballot, even if they are not in the poll book.
After Election Day, election officials must investigate whether you are qualified to vote and registered; if you are, they must count your provisional ballot.
What to do
Ask the poll worker to double-check for your name on the list of registered voters.
If your name isn’t there, ask if there is a supplemental list of voters (sometimes, voters who register closer to Election Day are placed on a supplementary list of registered voters).
You may also request that the poll workers check a statewide system, if one is available, to see if you are registered to vote at a different polling place.
If they still can’t find your name, ask for a provisional ballot.
Additional information
If you are turned away or denied a provisional ballot, you can call the Election Protection Hotline (1-866-OUR-VOTE or 1-888-VE-Y-VOTA) and the U.S. Department of Justice Voting Rights Hotline: 800-253-3931; TTY line 877-267-8971.
You can also contact your county clerk, elections commissioner, elections supervisor, or your state board of elections.
If you do not have a photo ID listed above, you can still vote by provisional ballot. You have three days after the election to bring the required photo ID to your county registrar’s office for your provisional ballot to be counted.
Suppose you have to vote a provisional ballot because you don’t have one of the forms of photo ID listed above. In that case, you can go to your county voter registration office, get a FREE photo ID and present it within three days after the election, and your provisional ballot will be counted.
If you simply forget your Photo ID and time permits, you can retrieve it, return to the polling place, and vote.
Due to SB 202,
Expect less forgiveness for voting at the wrong location and possibly more frequent changes to your voter registration.
Expect longer lines at polling locations and no water/snacks provided. If at all possible, bring water and/ or a snack.
Your ballot will be disqualified if you vote in the wrong district, even if your voting location closed or county polling locations merged. Source AJC
Regularly check your registration, polling location, polling locations days, and hours of operation.
transgender and gender non-conforming Voter Rights
Check out this guide by Georgia Equality on “Voting Information for Gender Non-Conforming Georgians”
Can I vote While In Jail?
People dealing with criminal offenses or who have a record are often unaware of their voting rights. Sharing this information is vital. If you are currently in jail or have friends or family members presently incarcerated, here is some helpful information on voting for those involved with the carceral system.
Voting from jail
You CAN vote from jail if you are there due to a pending case or serving a sentence for a misdemeanor conviction.
You CANNOT vote from jail if you are serving a sentence for a felony conviction or awaiting transfer to state prison. Folks with felony convictions are only permitted to vote after they have served their given sentence.
Voting while on probation
If the person who wants to vote has a felony conviction then, they may vote if the following are true:
Pled “No Contest” (nolo contendere)
Sentenced under the First Offenders Act or the Conditional Discharge Statute and sentence was revoked.
Completed all terms of parole.
All fines were either paid, waived, or canceled.
If the person who wants to vote has a misdemeanor conviction then, they may vote by an Absentee Ballot if the following are true:
Are currently serving time for a misdemeanor
Still on probation for a misdemeanor
Still owe fines and fees
Still awaiting trial for a misdemeanor offense
To get an Absentee Ballot with a misdemeanor from the Georgia Secretary of State
For additional support, if your right to vote is threatened, contact the Election Protection Hotline at 866-OUR-VOTE.
How to Become A Poll Worker
One of the many electoral roles that any civic-minded person can take on is a Poll Worker. The County Election Board selects poll Workers in general, will attend 3- 4 hour training before the election, and work on election date at a polling site within the county where they reside.
Poll workers are paid for completing training, and $155 for working 5:30 am - 8:30 pm at the poll on election day. It is important to note that working as a poll worker will not affect one’s government benefits.
Poll worker responsibilities:
Set up voting machines
Answer questions from voters
Monitor collection of ballots
Pass out post-voting swag (e.g., “I voted” stickers)
Fulton County:
At least 16 years old
Work from 5 AM to 8:30 PM or until 9:30 PM in the city of Atlanta
Read and write English
Reliable transportation
Complete this form for Fulton County: https://www.cognitoforms.com/FultonCountyGovernment2/PollWorkerApplicationWithEnrollmentInfo
DeKalb County:
A resident of or employed by DeKalb County
Not hold a public office or be a candidate for a public office position that is being voted on
16 years of age
Read, write, speak, and understand English
Upright citizen of the U.S.
Complete this form: https://forms.office.com/Pages/ResponsePage.aspx?id=J1UtKf-r_0W8krHbEDdge0SxbghK30hAmSKKOuGvAepUOEFQRjJIUlVKUkc0SUJXMzU1WlA4QkVSOC4u
The print version of the form: https://www.dekalbcountyga.gov/sites/default/files/user306/Poll%20Official%20Application.pdf
Mail print version of this form to:
DeKalb Co. Voter Registration & Election
4380 Memorial Dr, Suite 300
Decatur, GA 30032
Fax: 404-298-4038
Due to SB 202
The use of voting buses is restricted only to emergencies declared by the governor. The specificities are such that the polling places that were affected by disasters such as storms and power outages. Source AJC
Mention the MARTA stations in Fulton and DeKalb County
→ provide a map of these locations
Plan your trip on MARTA
Dockless mobility vehicles (BIRD, Spin, Helbiz, or Veoride)
Including Ride Smart Image
Parking information
Check to see if offering discount/ free to vote
I Will update when info is released on this, not sure if they are providing free rides during local elections yet.
https://itsmarta.com/bus-schedules.aspx
https://itsmarta.com/planatrip.aspx
https://www.cobbcounty.org/transportation/cobblinc
https://www.cobbcounty.org/transportation/transit/routes-and-schedules
How do YOU #ScootSmart?
Never Ride on Sidewalks Sticker by Department of City Planning
“Never Ride on Sidewalks” stickers remind everyone that riding on the sidewalk is NEVER allowed. Always ride in bike lanes, on multi-use trails, or in the street.
Park Here Sticker by Department of City Planning
"Park Here” stickers show great examples of dockless parking locations. DO park here. DO park at similar locations that leave space for people walking and using wheelchairs.
Riding Rule of Thumb - Ride Right, Ride Safe
Do NOT ride on the sidewalk
Do ride where bikes are allowed:
bike lanes,
on shared use paths including on the BeltLine and in City Parks
on the street – in the rightmost lane
Do follow traffic laws
Do pay attention to where you’re riding
Do wear a helmet
Do ride one person per device
Do NOT use a cell phone while riding
Parking Rule of Thumb– Leave 5 feet & Keep it Neat
Do leave 5 feet clear for walking
Do NOT park on narrow sidewalks – keep riding until you find a good place to park
Do park at bike racks
Do park along the curb
Do park devices upright
Do NOT block crosswalks, doorways, driveways, or anything else!
Do NOT park at a Relay Bikeshare Station
Do NOT park on vegetation or landscaping
Public Safety Recommendations
Public Safety Recommendations by Policing Alternatives and Diversion Initiative (PAD)
Suggested Questions for Atlanta City Council and Mayoral Candidates by Policing Alternatives and Diversion Initiative (PAD)
VOTER SUPPRESSION LAWS QUICK LIST
Senate Bill 202 + Early Voting
Depending on the county, voting will be available from Monday to Friday, with some Saturday and Sunday dates
Ballot boxes will only be available inside of Early Voting locations
Ballot Boxes are only available during in-person voting hours
Early Voting ends the Friday before an election
One drop boxes for every 100,000 active registered voters in each county
Expect fewer early voting sites in the city and less time to vote early
Senate Bill 202 + General Voting
Expect minor forgiveness for voting at the wrong location and possibly more frequent changes to your voter registration.
Expect longer lines at polling locations and no water/snacks provided. If at all possible, bring water and/ or a snack
Your ballot will be disqualified if you vote in the wrong district, even if your voting location closed or county polling locations merged.
Senate Bill 202 + Transportation
The use of voting buses is restricted only to emergencies declared by the governor. However, the specificities are such that the polling places are affected by storms and power outages.
Senate Bill 202 + Absentee ballots
Expect more difficulty in requesting and receiving absentee ballots – and shorter times to vote absentee.
Voting organizations and governments cannot send unsolicited and repeated absentee ballot applications.
Source: AJC
WHY IS THE ROLE OF THE MAYOR IMPORTANT
Understanding Atlanta is to know how the City operates, and your vote helps determine the quality of its functionality by who is elected into leadership positions. Atlanta has a strong Mayor, which means they are the Chief Executive Officer of the City and are given their power by the City’s Charter. The mayor
may appoint and remove departmental heads,
drafts and proposes a budget to the city council
the mayor possesses veto or line-item veto power
The critical issues to you and those identified as affecting communities such as Westview, Ashview Heights, and Pittsburgh are strategically considering who to cast your vote for in the fall.
Fact sheets
What are fact sheets?
The fact sheets are a great tool to learn more about each position that is up for election. The role's requirements and understanding the power they wield as an effort to decide who you'd like to consider extending your vote.
The backside of each position fact sheet is a dashboard for the City of Atlanta government, including the budget, population and demographics, and taxes.
When considering the position of Mayor, the person elected into the role will serve as the Chief Executive Officer for the next four years. They will oversee and manage laws and ordinances. With the power to veto any policy passed by City Council and create Executive Orders, the position of Mayor holds considerable power. Within the next four years, Atlanta is set to upgrade the NPU System, determine the use of public land and buildings, manage development, design economic opportunities, and address systemic inequalities, which are just a few of the issues. CCI joined with Blue in Green Consulting, Community Movement Builders, and The Ke'nekt to identify critical areas of concern as determined by the three communities they live and work in. These neighborhoods include Ashview Heights, Pittsburgh, and Westview.
Key neighborhood concerns:
How to use the fact sheets?
Once you’ve read the critical concerns as described above, use the fact sheets to help identify candidates best suited to address and eliminate the root causes that create these areas of concern.
What information is contained in the fact sheets
The fact sheets inform neighbors about the elected positions that govern the City, including jobs for Mayor, City Council President, City Council, City Council At-Large, and School Board. Each fact sheet will provide information about the role, what powers they hold, any term limitations, and any mandates or responsibilities required to fulfill. There is a description of the qualifications needed to run for office. And in the case of the Mayor and City Council President, what appointments they have the power to make and what committees they chair in the case of the Council. Salary made by each role is listed.
Fact Sheets