Between controversial Supreme Court rulings, an assassination attempt against former president Trump, and President Biden suspending his campaign, America is in the middle of one of the most chaotic and contentious elections in its history. Life today, both inside and outside of politics, is dramatically different from how it was four years ago, let alone in 2016.
The 2024 presidential election takes place on Nov. 5. In the meantime, students are preparing to vote by registering early. Before registering, students must make sure they bring a government-issued form of identification, such as a driver’s license, and they must be a legal US citizen with no felony convictions.
After those minimum criteria are met, first time voters should visit Georgia’s Secretary of State’s website, https://sos.ga.gov/how-to-guide/how-guide-registering-vote. Resources such as a “How-to” guide to registering online are featured, as well as links where voters can check registration status, find their designated polling place, and view past voting records. Also linked is their “My Voter Page,” which walks you through the process to register online.
Although online registration is fast and convenient, some feel more comfortable doing so in person. Those who would rather register in person can visit their local board of elections. Students who live in Tifton can visit their board of elections at 222B Chestnut Ave. Students from Colquitt County (Berlin, Doerun, Ellenton, Funston, Hartsfield, Moultrie, and Norman Park) can register in person at their county’s courthouse annex on 101 E Central Ave, and students from Decatur County (Bainbridge, Climax, Attapulgus, Brinson, Faceville, and Eldorendo) can register at the Bainbridge Courthouse Annex on 122 W Water Street.
While registering is easy, Tift County Election Supervisor Leila E. Donilson said, “People need to check their registration at least six months in advance. That will eliminate any confusion or complications on Election Day.”
One example of issues voters may run into is going to the wrong voting precinct. “For instance,” Donilson said, “a potential voter may have recently moved and not realized that they need to update their voter registration, so they can be directed to the right voting precinct.”
“Registering early will make our lives and your life easier, because we ultimately want everyone to be able to vote,” Donilson continued.
Colquitt County Probate Judge Wes Lewis said, “We urge young people especially to register and update their information early so that they can express their right to vote, and in Georgia all of that can be done online.”
“Voting is the foundation of democracy,” Lewis continued. “Allowing citizens to participate and elect their representatives, from National to Local—it’s […] a right that we take for granted, that doesn’t exist in every country.”
Georgia’s voter registration deadline is Oct. 7; students can easily register to vote at Vote.org. Your residential county has designated polling locations. You can register to vote anywhere but be sure to plan a trip home to vote or request an absentee ballot so you can vote from ABAC. Absentee ballots can also be requested at Vote.org.
For further assistance with voting, students can call the Georgia Voter Protection Hotline at 866-OUR-VOTE (866-687-8683).
To contact their local Board of Elections, students can call the following numbers: Tift County-(229) 386-7915; Decatur County-(229) 243-2087; Colquitt County-(229) 616-7056.