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1. Where do I go to vote?

1. If you have your precinct card, your polling (voting) place is listed on it. You may have two polling places: one is for Federal, County and State elections, and the second is for City elections if you live inside the City limits of Douglasville or Villa Rica.
2. If you can’t find your precinct card, go to the Georgia Secretary of State website. Enter your name, birth date, and county, and it will display your poll location.
3. Call 888-265-1115, provide your name and birthday information, and the attendant will give you your poll location.

2. What are the acceptable forms of ID that must be presented to vote?

Whether you vote early, advance, or at the polls, you must present one of six acceptable forms of personal identification; all must have the voter’s photo on the ID card:

• Georgia driver’s license - current or expired
• State-issued ID card that includes your photo
• Valid employee ID card with your photo issued by any branch, department, agency, or entity of the US government, the State of Georgia, any County, City, Board, Authority or other entity of the State of Georgia
• Valid tribal ID card with photo
• Valid U.S. military ID card with photo
• Valid U.S. passport

3. How often do I need to register to vote?

Once is usually sufficient. If you regularly vote, you will remain on the list of eligible voters. If you move, even if it is within the County, you need to register at your new address. You may verify your registration by accessing the Georgia Secretary of State website.

4. I just moved, Do I have to change my voter registration?

Yes. You must be registered at the address where you reside.

5. Where can I pick up the form to register to vote?

There are several locations:

• Douglasville/Douglas County Water and Sewer Authority
  8763 Hospital Drive
  Douglasville, GA 30134
• Douglasville City Hall
  O’Neal Plaza
  6695 Church Street
  Douglasville, GA 30134
• Driver’s License Exam station when you get/renew your driver’s license
• Any Public Library
• Online to the Secretary of State’s website, My Voter Page
• Voter Registration Office
  1stfloor, Douglas County Courthouse
  8700 Hospital Drive
  Douglasville, GA 30134

6. Can I vote by absentee ballot?

Anyone may vote an absentee ballot that chooses to do so.

7. What identification do I need to register to vote?

If you are registering by mail for the very first time in the State of Georgia, you will need to provide a photocopy of either your:

• Bank statement
• Driver’s license
• Passport
• Paycheck stub
• Utility bill
• Work or school ID card

If you were previously a registered voter in Georgia, you do not need to provide identification. When you fill out the form, you are swearing that you are eligible to register to vote. False swearing is prosecutable as a felony.

8. School is in session; do I vote at the same place?

Yes. Polling places remain the same for all elections. For a smaller election, the place within your polling location may change.

For example, instead of using the gymnasium, the polling might take place in a smaller room. There are always signs posted to let you know where the voting is taking place.

9. Can I vote at any polling place on Election Day?

No. Georgia Code Section 21-2-431(c) specifically states that no person shall vote at any polling place outside the precinct in which such person resides.

10. Who is my representative?

If you will refer to your precinct card, it will identify the district numbers applicable to the street address where you reside. You can access the link on this site to determine the name and contact information about that elected official. You may also access this information at Georgia Secretary of State website. 

11. I just got my driver's license; why am I not registered to vote?

You are not automatically registered to vote when you get your Driver’s License. The examiner must ask you if you want to register; you must reply affirmatively; and then the examiner must generate the form to be sent to the Voter Registration Office.

If you do not receive a precinct card within a month after you register at the Department of Motor Vehicles, call our office 770-920-7217 to inquire if we received the application.

12. How can I get an absentee ballot?

You must apply in writing for an absentee ballot and send or fax your request to bdofelections@douglascountyga.gov  by the SECOND Friday (11 days) preceding the election. There is an absentee ballot form that can be picked up in the Voter Registration Office or downloaded from the Secretary of State’s website, or go to Absentee By Mail Voting on this webpage. 

1. Absentee application portal will not currently be used.
2. Douglas County will be allowed one drop box which will be located inside the courthouse, availability will be Monday thru Friday 8am -5pm.
3. Absentee applications must be received at least 11 days prior to an election.  Any application received after this deadline will be rejected.
4. Absentee applications can be requested no more than 78 days prior to an election.  Any application received before this will be rejected.
5. Absentee application request must be on an "official" form supplied by the Secretary of State's office.
6. Signature is required on ballot envelope (though not required to be compared) and date of birth are required of everyone. A DL#/ID# is required if a voter has either. If the voter doesn’t have either a DL#/ID#, the last four of SSN are required. If the voter has no SSN, they must provide HAVA ID with the ballot (and we’re working on the process to check for that without accessing the ballot.)
7. No person or entity other than a relative authorized to request an absentee ballot for such elector or a person signing as assisting an illiterate or physically disabled elector shall send any elector an absentee ballot application that is prefilled with the elector's required information.  
8. No person or entity other than the elector, a relative authorized to request an absentee ballot for such elector, a caregiver signing as assisting an illiterate or physically disabled elector with his or her application, or any official agent of the election office shall handle or return an elector's completed absentee ballot application. 
9. Elector can only use pen or pencil to mark their Absentee Ballot, any other writing utensil will used will void the Absentee Ballot.

You can also come to the Voter Registration Office in the Courthouse and request an absentee ballot not more than 78 days preceding the election.

13. How do I know where to vote?

When you register to vote, you will receive a precinct card approximately 2 weeks after your form is processed. It indicates your polling place as well as which Congressional, State House and Senate, Commission, School Board and City District in which you reside.

If you have misplaced this card, you can find out your polling place either by accessing the Secretary of State’s website or by calling 888-265-1115.

14. I heard that I can absentee vote for no reason. Is this true?

Yes. Anyone may vote early for no reason at all beginning 21 days in advance of a Federal election. This is done either by mail or in person at:
Voter Registration Office
1st Floor Douglas County Courthouse
8700 Hospital Drive
Douglasville, GA 30134

You must submit a request in writing with your name, address, date of birth and a statement that you are requesting an absentee ballot. You must sign the request, as we compare signatures on the request to the voter registration form on file to verify that the request is legitimate. The last day that we mail out ballots is the Friday before the election. Requests must be received no later than noon on Friday to be able to be sent out.

15. I heard that I can advance vote. Where do I go for that?

Anyone may advance vote the Monday through Friday of the week prior to an election at any one of the advance voting sites:

• Boundary Waters Aquatic Center
  5000 Georgia Highway 92/166
  Douglasville, GA 30135
• Deer Lick Park
  2105 Mack Road
  Douglasville, GA 30135
• Dog River Library
  6100 Highway 5
  Douglasville, GA 30135
• Douglas County Courthouse
  8700 Hospital Drive
  Douglasville, GA 30134
• Old Douglas County Courthouse
  W Church Street
  Douglasville, GA 30134