Georgia election guide 2022: Everything you need to know as a Peach State voter

You have essentially three options to cast your ballot:

• Absentee by mail: For information about how to request and send in an absentee-by-mail paper ballot, visit here. The deadline to request an application is Oct. 28, and all absentee ballots must be received by Election Day (Nov. 8). Voters are encouraged to request early and send back their ballot as soon as possible, as the state cannot guarantee when it will receive your ballot in the mail. You can also ensure it gets received on time by submitting it at a drop box (check your local county site for drop box locations and times. Click here for where to find drop boxes around metro Atlanta.)
• Early in-person: The early voting period begins Oct. 17 and ends Nov. 4. Times and locations vary by county, however - you can check your specific county information here.
• Election Day in-person: Election Day is Nov. 8, and polls will be open from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. To know where your voting location is, sign in at the My Voter Page website, scroll to the bottom of your information page, and click "View / Print Precinct Card."

How to check your registration

This information can all be found on the Georgia Secretary of State's Office's My Voter Page:

1. Enter your first initial, last name, county of residence and date of birth.
2. Enter your Georgia ID or driver's license number. 
3. If you are registered to vote, all your information will be available.

The page also allows you to view your U.S. Congressional District, Georgia Senate District and Georgia House District.

For more information on checking your registration, including what to do if you've changed your address recently, click here.

It's important to note that the last day to register is Tuesday, Oct. 11. The Secretary of State's Office has all the steps on the application process.

How to find where to vote

Georgia has made this one pretty easy; head to the Georgia My Voter Page and sign-in using your first initial, last name, county and birthday. If the website is not moving forward and says that registration cannot be found, verify that you are registered to vote.  

The next page will show the voter's information, and at the top bar, select the "Elected Officials information" tab. That page shows all information for elected officials on the federal, state and local levels.

MORE RESOURCES:

• How to check if you are registered to vote in Georgia
• How to check your voting district
• Early voting locations in metro Atlanta
• Key dates to keep in mind for Georgia's 2022 elections

What do I need to vote?

When you head to the polls, you'll need one of the forms of ID below to cast your ballot: 

• A Georgia driver’s license that's issued by the appropriate state agency. 
• A valid identification card issued by a branch, department, agency, or entity of the State of Georgia.
• A valid U.S. passport.
• A valid employee identification card with your photo issued by any branch, department, agency, or entity of the United States government in the state or any county municipality.
• A valid U.S. military ID with your photo. 
• A valid tribal identification card with your photo. 

Anyone who registered for the first time in Georgia by mail and didn't provide an ID at the time, can provide one of the six photo IDs (listed above) and one of the following forms of identification below:

• A copy of a current utility bill
• A bank statement
• A government check
• A paycheck
• Other government documents with your name and address

The State of Georgia offers a free voter identification card if you don't have one of the six acceptable forms of photo ID. The voter ID card can be issued at any county registrar's office or Department of Driver Services Office.

To get one, you will need to provide: 

• A photo identity document or approved non-photo identity document with your full legal name and date of birth. 
• Document with your date of birth
• Evidence that you're a registered voter
• Document with your name and residential address

What time do polls close?

Polls across the state close at 7 p.m. on Election Day. Remember: anyone who is in line before 7 p.m. will be allowed to cast their ballot.

We've compiled guides on five major metro Atlanta counties. Those are:

• Clayton
• Cobb
• DeKalb
• Fulton
• Gwinnett

Who are the candidates in the major races? What do they believe? What are the issues at stake? We're providing a comprehensive outline for you on these matters across several articles, which include:

• Georgia governor candidates | What to know 
• Georgia US Senate race candidates | What to know
• Georgia statewide office races | Guide to candidates, their priorities

There are also two constitutional amendments and two statewide referendum questions facing voters. Those are explained below:

• What are the constitutional amendments on the ballot in Georgia?
• What are the referendum questions on the ballot in Georgia?

In the next guide, we aim to tell you a little bit about the various jobs you have a say in, and why they demand your attention no less than more high-profile races. 

• A guide to the other Georgia state offices you'll be voting on and why they matter

Additionally, 11Alive has conducted polling on Senate, governor, attorney general, secretary of state and issues that concern voters. Those include:

• Raphael Warnock vs. Herschel Walker Georgia Senate poll | Incumbent Democrat way ahead
• Brian Kemp vs. Stacey Abrams Georgia governor poll | Race still a tight one
• 11Alive Poll for Georgia attorney general and Georgia secretary of state races
• These issues are top of mind for Atlanta voters | 11Alive poll

11Alive is committed to helping you vote confidently by understanding the 2022 election issues that impact you. Our goal is to educate and inform our audience about the election process. We plan to do that by verifying facts, providing context, and explaining the system. 

You can read our full mission statement online. In addition, get more election resources here at 11alive.com/vote.