Get Ready to Vote in November

Election Day, Nov. 5, is just around the corner. If you have not registered to vote, there’s still time. 

Georgia Tech encourages full participation in the electoral process. The Institute recently earned a gold seal in the All In Campus Democracy Challenge, which empowers colleges and universities to achieve excellence in nonpartisan student democratic engagement. 

Follow a few tips to be sure you are ready to vote. 

Registration 

First, is your voter registration up to date? If you should be registered in Georgia, check your voter registration status here. For other states, find your registration information through this list of resources. 

Who is eligible to vote? To register in Georgia, you must be: 

• A U.S. citizen. 

• A legal resident of Georgia and the county in which you plan to vote. 

• At least 17 ½ years of age to register and 18 years of age to vote. 

• Not serving a sentence for conviction of a felony involving moral turpitude. 

• Not found mentally incompetent by a judge, unless the disability has been removed. 

Voter registration is a county function, with counties issuing precinct cards after processing applications. 

To register online, you need a valid driver’s license or identification card issued by the Georgia Department of Driver Services with a signature on file. The deadline to register online is Monday, Oct. 7. 

You also may register by mail. Download, print, sign, and mail the application to your county registrar here. 

Voting Activity on Campus 

Georgia Tech will host voter registration events as well as early in-person voting for voters registered in Fulton County. 

• Sept. 18: Fulton voter registration drive, 11 a.m. – 1 p.m., Texas Instruments Plaza 

• Sept. 25: Fulton voter registration drive, 11 a.m. – 1 p.m., Instructional Center Plaza 

• Oct. 2: Fulton voter registration drive, 11 a.m. – 1 p.m., Texas Instruments Plaza 

• Oct. 1: Vice Presidential Debate Watch Party, 9 p.m., John Lewis Student Center 

• Oct. 24 – 25: Early Voting for Fulton County registrants, Southern Company Multicultural Programs Lounge, John Lewis Student Center 

Voting Absentee 

To vote by absentee ballot, the ballot must postmarked by Election Day and delivered by 7 p.m. on Nov. 5. To request an absentee ballot, the information entered online must match your voter registration record. 

In Georgia, any registered voter can vote by absentee ballot — unlike some states, which require voters to justify requesting one. Georgia voters can request an absentee ballot here or here.  

Dates to Note 

Important dates related to the November election in Georgia: 

• Oct. 7 — Last day a person may register and be eligible to vote. 

• Oct. 15 — Early voting begins. Look up locations for your county. 

Policies and Campus Resources 

Per section 8.2.7.7 of the USG’s general personnel policies, employees are encouraged to exercise their constitutional right to vote in all federal, state, and local elections. Per section 4.1.3 of the USG’s general Student Affairs policy, students are also encouraged to vote in all federal, state, and local elections. A student whose class schedule would otherwise prevent them from voting will be permitted and excused absence for the interval reasonably required for voting.  

Employees should be mindful of policy 8.2.18.3, which calls for employees to engage in political activities or political expression only in their personal capacity. USG employees are prohibited from using state property, resources, or materials (including work email) or work time to communicate personal political views or in conjunction with any political campaigning. 

Meanwhile, Georgia Tech remains a place that promotes freedom of expression. Learn more about related resources. 

Additional campus resources related to voting information are available at gov.gatech.edu/vote.