Georgia requires photo ID to vote in person. You need to provide ID information or a copy of accepted ID to vote by mail. Check below for your options!
1
Check ID Rules
Voting in Person
Georgia requires photo ID to vote in person.
Accepted Photo IDs
You can show: Ok if expired
Georgia driver’s license
Must be unexpired
Georgia state ID card
Georgia Voter ID card
Photo ID issued by US government or any state
US passport or passport card
Student ID issued by public college or university approved by Georgia’s Secretary of State (list available here)
Tribal identification
Military identification
Employee ID issued by US, Georgia, or local government
Voting by Mail
Any registered voter can request an absentee ballot in Georgia. You don’t have to give a reason why you can’t vote in person.
Georgia voters must provide specific ID numbers or a copy of accepted ID twice.
Give one of these numbers when you request your absentee ballot:
Georgia driver’s license
Georgia state ID card
If you do not have one of these numbers:
Mark on the application that you don’t have either number.
Provide an accepted form of ID with your application. You can either attach a copy or upload a photo of your ID.
You can use:
Any of the the photo IDs that are accepted to vote in person. Mark on the application that you don’t have either number.
Current utility bill, bank statement, paycheck, government check or government document with your name and address.
Returning an Absentee Ballot
You must print the number of your Georgia driver’s license or state ID card number (and your date of birth) in the space provided on your ballot’s outer envelope.
If you do not have one of these numbers:
Mark on the outer envelope that you don’t have either number.
Provide the last 4 digits of your Social Security number.
If you also do not have a Social Security number, mark that on your ballot’s outer envelope and provide a copy of accepted ID.
You will get a message in your ballot package if you didn’t include the correct ID with your application. If that happens, you should put a copy of any required ID in your ballot’s outer envelope.
Frequently Asked Questions
How can I get a free ID in Georgia?
Georgia issues a free Voter ID card that can be used to vote if you do not have another accepted form of ID. This ID is only intended for voting.
You can get a Georgia Voter ID card from any county registrar’s office or Department of Driver Services (DDS) service center.
At County Registrar
You must provide all of the following to get a free ID card from a county registrar’s office:
Photo ID or approved non-photo document to prove your legal name and date of birth
Proof that you’re registered to vote in Georgia
Document with your full legal name and residential address
What if I don’t have the right ID to vote in Georgia?
Registered Georgia voters who can’t present an accepted photo ID at the polls have to cast a provisional ballot. You must take extra steps for your ballot to count.
Can I use a digital or mobile ID to vote in Georgia?
You must present a physical ID to vote in Georgia.
You cannot use an image, copy, or digital ID when you are voting in person. This includes digital licenses and state IDs from the Georgia DDS.
Do I need a “REAL ID” to vote in Georgia?
You do not need a “REAL ID” to vote in Georgia.
REAL ID is a set of national security standards for states to follow when they issue driver’s licenses and state ID cards. Your ID will show a star if it meets REAL ID standards.
Applying for a REAL ID requires you to appear in person with various documents to prove your identity. Georgia now issues only REAL ID-compliant driver’s licenses and state ID cards. If you need to renew your Georgia license or ID (or apply for a new one), you must go through the REAL ID process. Visit the Georgia DDS website to learn more.
2
Register
Georgia Voter Registration Requirements
You must register before you can vote in Georgia.
You are eligible to vote in Georgia if you meet all of the following requirements:
You are a citizen of the United States.
You a resident of Georgia.
You are at least 18 years of age on Election Day.
You cannot register to vote in Georgia if:
You are currently serving a sentence for a felony.
You have been declared incapacitated by a court of law.
To register to vote:
You must provide your driver’s license number or state ID number if you have one.
If you do not have either of these IDs, you can use the last 4 digits of your Social Security number (SSN).
If you do not have a Social Security number, then leave that space blank on your registration form.
If don’t provide any of these numbers or the state can’t match the number your provide to official records, you will have to show an accepted form of ID the first time you vote.
If you vote by mail, provide a copy of an accepted form of ID with your absentee ballot.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I register and vote on the same day in Georgia?
No, Georgia does not allow you to register and vote on the same day.
Georgia’s deadline to register for an upcoming election is 29 days before Election Day.
If the registration deadline for an upcoming election has passed, you can still apply to register. Your registration will be processed, and you will be registered to vote in future elections.
Can I register to vote in Georgia if I have been convicted of a crime?
Each state has its own laws about whether citizens with previous criminal convictions can vote.
To check your eligibility to register to vote in Georgia, use Restore Your Vote.
Can I register to vote in Georgia if I attend college in Georgia?
College students are allowed to vote using their Georgia school residence address. You can decide if you prefer to register in your home state or in Georgia if you attend school there. You may only be registered and vote in one location.
Some student IDs are accepted for voting in Georgia.
3
Vote
Voting in Person
If you are a registered Georgia voter but do not present an accepted photo ID when voting in person, you have to cast a provisional ballot.
Provisional ballots make sure eligible voters are not rejected at the polls. You need to take extra steps for your vote to count!
How to Make a Provisional Ballot Count
Appear in person at your county registrar’s office and present an accepted form of photo ID within 3 days after the election.
Can I fix my Georgia mail ballot if it is rejected?
Once your absentee ballot is received by the county office, the registrar will compare the number on your driver’s license or state identification card to your voter registration record to verify your identity.
If you do not provide either of these ID numbers, then the registrar will examine the copies of the other documents you were required to submit with your application.
If the number is missing, does not match what is on record, or your other ID documentation is not sufficient for any reason, your county will contact you and provide a document that you can use to provide the necessary ID to verify your ballot.
