Election integrity: How Georgia ensures safe and secure voting

While elections work differently depending on where you live, all states have security measures to ensure the integrity of every vote. With that in mind, The Fulcrum presents a six-part series on how elections work in swing states. Created by Issue One, these state summaries focus on each state's election process from registration to certification.

Our freedom to vote in fair and secure elections is the foundation of our system of self- governance established under the U.S. Constitution. As citizens, we have a voice that many people around the world do not.

Because the majority of elections are run at a local level, the voting experience can be very different depending on where a voter lives, but all states, including Georgia, have verification processes in place before, during, and after votes are cast to ensure the integrity of the election. Whether you cast your ballot in-person or by mail, early or on Election Day, your vote counts.

Here is what you need to know about how elections work in Georgia to make sure that your vote is kept safe and secure and is counted with integrity.

Registration

To ensure their eligibility, all voters must register to vote in order to cast a ballot.

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• The voter registration deadline in Georgia is October 7, 2024.
• You can register online, by mail, or in-person.
• For more information: https://sos.ga.gov/how-to-guide/how-guide-registering-vote
  

Ways to vote

Once registered, a voter in Georgia may either vote in-person or through an absentee ballot. Both options have transparent processes to ensure ballots are kept secure and counted accurately.

Vote with mail-in absentee ballot:

• Voters may request an absentee ballot anytime between August 19, 2024 and October 25, 2024
• Valid absentee ballots must be received no later than 7:00 PM on Election Day to be counted.
• For more information about voting absentee, see here for details: https://sos.ga.gov/sites/default/files/forms/ Absentee_Voting_In_Georgia_Rev_3-30-22.pdf

Vote early in-person:

• Early, or “advance” voting, starts October 15, 2024 and ends on November 1, 2024 the Friday before the election. Voting occurs at the location established by the County Recorder’s office.
• Voters must bring a valid photo ID to vote early in-person. See here for details: https://sos.ga.gov/page/ georgia-voter-identification-requirements

Vote in-person on Election Day:

• Election Day is Tuesday, November 5, 2024. Polls are open from 7:00 AM to 7:00 PM.
• Voters must bring a valid photo ID to vote on Election Day. See here for details: https://sos.ga.gov/page/ georgia-voter-identification-requirements
• Find more information about voting on Election Day: https://georgia.gov/vote-in-person-election-day

There are also options for military and overseas voting, more information is available here: https://sos.ga.gov/ page/military-and-overseas-voting

Track your ballot: https://mvp.sos.ga.gov/s/

Securely counting every ballot during the voting period

Before, during, and after ballots are cast, Georgia has procedures to review and verify election processes. Counting of ballots at tabulating centers and precincts, post-election audits and recounts are open to the public, poll watchers, and nonpartisan observers.

• Georgia is one of 37 states that require a traditional post-election tabulation audit, involving auditable paper ballots.
• All voting equipment in Georgia must meet rigorous security standards and can be audited.
• Voting systems are never connected to internet-facing networks. Every county inspects and tests voting equipment before an election.
• Absentee ballots may only be counted once the identity of the voter is verified. Absentee ballot return envelopes are printed with an oath which must be signed by the voter. A voter must also provide the number of their driver’s license or identification card. Election officials confirm the oath was signed and compare the voter’s driver’s license number or state identification card number to the voter’s registration information. Ballots with missing information or information that does not conform to the voter’s record are rejected.

Polls close and reporting begins

• Counties typically begin reporting unofficial election results shortly after polls close. Counting absentee ballots takes extra time since they require a signature verification process to ensure the integrity of every vote. No reported results are considered final until the election is certified.
• Be patient for results and know news media reports are only projections and not official.

Certifying the election

• The governing body conducting the election must meet to verify that the initial results reported in each precinct or election district are accurate. Final results are only declared after election officials verify the count, checking for accuracy and resolving any error. During this process, known as canvassing, election officials count every eligible ballot cast, check for duplicates, verify voter status, and give voters a chance to rectify mistakes that might otherwise disqualify their ballot.
• County officials canvass local election returns and transmit results to the Secretary of State no later than November 12, 2024.
• The Secretary of State must canvass and certify election results no later than November 22, 2024. https://sos. ga.gov/page/election-calendar-and-events
• In close elections, a candidate can request a state-funded recount if the margin of victory is less than or equal to 0.5%. The request has to be made within two business days of the results being certified. https://georgia.gov/ election-recount-rules-georgia

Meeting of the Electoral College

• Georgia’s slate of electors meet on December 17, 2024 to send their certified votes for president and vice president to Congress.

Resource

For more information on how elections work in Georgia, visit the Elections Division of the Secretary of State: https://sos.ga.gov/elections-division-georgia-secretary-states-office

For additional national and other state-by-state information, go to https://www.howelectionswork.org/