In Georgia, I just cast my early ballot for Sec of State AND Public Service Commission in the runoff election. Only 710 have voted here today at the SW Arts Center.
Since early voting is light, people must get out Tuesday because today is the last day to vote!!
Yet another reason to vote as early as possible. Adams Park Library facility problems cause it to close early yesterday. Full story on link to Nextdoor article below:
Thanks to many non-profits, churches and community groups, there are efforts to educate and get people to the polls. They include Georgia Stand Up, NAACP, ROSE Pack, and The Peoples Agenda.
Early voting ends in Georgia on Friday, November 2nd. So, the most important thing you can do is to to vote early so you can help get others to the polls on Tuesday, November 6.
Whether you vote early or on Election Day, print your sample ballot, discuss it with your friends and family and take it with you to the polls. No need to memorize how you want to vote. It’s two pages of items for which to vote. Vote the entire ballot. Do not leave anything blank!!
This Georgia Ballot is pretty simple to vote on because after you do your research, you may come to the same conclusions as I did before I voted last Wednesday: I voted for all candidates of my party preference and, “NO” on all the ballot initiatives. While change is needed in some of theses areas, the changes proposed here will have a negative impact on the average resident and may devastate Blacks, Browns, those on fixed incomes, and the poor.
Here are good rules for yes/no questions:
A yes vote supports the proposed change. A no vote opposed the proposed change. If you are not sure “how” to vote on yes/no ballot initiatives, vote “no”. No means no change. Why would you vote yes or leave blank something you do not fully understand?? Why would you vote yes for something and you do not know “who” (legislator or group) is proposing the change and funding the ads for the change?? Voting “no” is the safe alternative. Leaving it blank is not an option! Leaving it blank is can be detrimental if the change is really bad and you do not understand it. A “no” vote is safe because it helps to insure the change is not made until you better understand it.
The only way to change how things are being proposed and which things are funded (to get more things funded in your community) is to vote down the entire ballot for ALL the offices and initiatives. Just as a sports team needs all its’ players on the field, the Governor (like a quarterback) also needs the whole team. So, PLEASE vote down the entire ballot and select the entire team!!
For more information on voting and to review and print your sample ballot, visit: www.yourpowerconnection.wordpress.com
For websites to research the 2018 Ballot items, visit: www.ballotpedia.com
REMEMBER:
1) You can take your sample ballot or any paper notes to the poll with you. However, you cannot share it with anyone inside the polling location.
2) You have to turn off your cell phone inside the polling location.
3) You can vote at any early voting site within your county.
4) Your early voting site may be different than your Election Day voting site or precinct. Check with your county election office or http://www.mvp.sos.ga.gov for your polling location BEFORE you go to vote. Sometimes polling places get changed and consolidated and you may not be aware. This is especially true now because several Atlanta-Fulton County Libraries (former polling places) are closed for renovation.
FREE rides to vote are also available on Election Day, call any of the organizations listed above and on the flyer above. While Election Day requests may be honored, calling as far in advance as soon possible allows the organizations to better accommodate your ride request.
Happy voting!!
From Fulton County Commissioner Emma Darnell. Thanks for this comprehensive early voting list. For early voting sites in other Georgia counties, visit: www.mvp.sos.ga.gov
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To inspire all to vote, especially the youth, Clark Atlanta’s marching band performed on “College Sunday”, Oct. 14 at Ebenezer Baptist Church.
As Ebenezer Baptist Church in Atlanta, the church of Martin Luther King, Sr. and Martin Luther King. Jr., it is expected that they stay entrenched in the foundational issues that are key to achieving social justice.
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Voter registration without voter education is voter frustration!
– Locally & nationwide, about 80% of voters only vote for the top 1,2, or 3 offices on the Ballot. Most don’t have a clue about how long or what’s on the ballot until the enter the polling booth.
-So, engage your circle of friends/family in discussions about everything on the ballot so you and everyone in your circle will vote down the ballot for every office, admendment, and referendum with confidence.
– Print a copy of your Ballot from: http://www.myvoterpage.com and take it with you to vote. You can’t use your cell phone inside polling place. However, you can take any printed material. You cannot share it with another person inside the polling place.
– So each voter has to have their own sample ballot or other printed materials.
– Tuesday, October 9 – Deadline to register to vote in Georgia.
– Tuesday, November 6 – Election day across the U.S. Each state has different things on their ballots and they are all important!!
– Now is the time to research the candidates for each office and find out what each office does. You will be amazed to find out things about the Insurance Commissioner, Public Service Commissioner, District Attorney, and/or Governor and how what they do effects your everyday life. For example, the Onsurance Commissioner decides if your insurance company for auto, home owners, or renters insurance can increase your premiums and by how much. They can even kick a company out of the state for unethical practices. So choose candidates for each office well.
– Start and continue a conversation on all your social media, at lunch, dinner, etc. about the ballot and early voting dates in your area.
– Use your smart phone to research candidates the same way you use it to Google other things you need to know. However, 90-95% of what you need to know about voting and candidates can be found at: http://www.myvoterpage.com
– I always find it amazing that people know more about TV stars, movie stars and athletes’ personal lives than they do about the elected officials for whom our tax dollars are paying their salaries. That means, they work for us. When we do not like their work, we get to fire and replace them in the next election. That’s right. We control if they get to stay in office! Let’s use our power to change things in our favor. YES WE CAN!!
– Register (Also, check your status before Oct. 9 to make sure you have not been purged from the voter list.).
– Educate yourself (research candidates).
– Engage with your circle of influence.
– Advocate for candidates you like.
– Remind/make sure everyone in your family (even those who live in different states), your friends, church members, colleges students, are registered to vote for every office on the ballot and how to determine who to vote for BEFORE Election Day!
– Check with local churches, the NAACP, Urban League, SCLC, Rainbow PUSH, Peoples Agenda, League of Women Voters, National Action Network, and other nonprofits about FREE rides to the polls if you or someone you know needs it.
– VOTE early or on Election Day, November 6.
WE CAN CONTROL WHO REPRESENTS US!!
Tomorrow, May 12th is statewide Saturday Voting day in Georgia!
Voting in the Primary Election is very important and will help to decide who will represent Georgia Democrats at the general election in November. If you haven’t already cast your early ballot in this primary election, now is your chance!
The Georgia My Voter Page has access to all of the information that you need to know before you cast your primary ballot.
Make sure you #KnowBeforeYouGo and use this site to find your Early Vote polling location and times, and also preview your sample ballot. Commit to vote tomorrow and together we can change public policy in Georgia!.
Google “Georgia My Voter page”, or visit http://www.mvp.sos.ga.gov
While on that site, please view, print and research your “sample ballot”. Please take
your sample ballot with you to vote so you do not have to memorize candidate names.
If you have applied to vote by absentee ballot, make sure to mail your completed ballot back to your county election office by Friday, May 18th.
If you have any questions or problems while voting on Saturday or any time through election day, you can call the Voter Protection Hotline at 888-730-5816. We are here to help.
Early Vote tomorrow or on Tuesday, May 22.
(Tweaked from an email I received earlier today from the GA Democratic Party.)
The 2018 Georgia Primary election is May 22. Below is information for you to use and share. All 159 counties have similar information as Fulton County. So “google”or call your county elections office.
Also, because there are over 15 items on Georgia ballots, not just Governor and Lt. Governor, please be sure to print your sample ballot, research the candidates, and take your sample ballot with you to vote. That way you can confidently vote all the way down the ballot. Get your sample ballot at: http://www.mvp.sos.ga.gov
Fulton County
Registration & Elections
Board of Commissioners Presentation
Our 2018 General Primary Election Objectives
•To continue empowering voters across county
•To report results earlier
PREPARATIONS FOR
2018 GENERAL PRIMARY ELECTION
April 24 was the voter registration deadline to participate in May 22 General Primary election – registration will re-open after May election, and deadline for General Primary Runoff is June 25
WHERE TO REGISTER
•Department of Driver Services
•Online
•GA Votes App
•City Hall
•Libraries
•Fulton County Offices
Voter Registration
•673,302 active voters
•70,644 inactive voters
•743,946 total registered voters
•Processed 91,334 registration applications since January 1, 2018 year versus 25,230 during same period in 2014
•In 2016 we only processed 57,216 during same time period
•Precinct cards ordered from SOS on April 3, 2018 for 35 precincts
Absentee Ballots
•Residents can complete absentee ballot applications now
•Signature must match the voter registration signature on file
•Residents who are 65+ or have a disability must apply each year. Others must apply each election
•Ballots must be signed when returned
•Deadline is May 18
Absentee Ballots
•Received 3,100 applications
•Processed 2,959 applications
•Rejected 141 applications
•Received 731 ballots
Early Voting
•Early voting offers to voters convenience & choice
•During early voting voters have 18 days to vote
•21 locations
•183.5 hours to vote
•1,160 voters cast ballots on day one
Early Voting
•Sent 315,000 head of household mailings
•Ads in Atlanta Voice and Neighbor Newspapers
•Radio spots on 98.5 and 104.1
Election Day
Poll Workers
•Success on Election Day is dependent on the quality of people who choose to serve as paid poll workers
•We have assigned 1525 poll workers for 183 precincts
•30 Reserve EDay poll workers
Voter Education
•Voter Education team available to attend community events & meetings
•Deputy registrar training
•Voter education team have attended 23 events from north to south
•Have distributed early voting flyers in libraries and city halls
ELECTION NIGHT
ASSISTANTS
Election Night Operational Improvement Plan
•Deploying 183 Election Night Assistants, 178 Fulton County employees
•Worked with County Manager, Todd Long, Brigitte Bailey and External Affairs
•Most departments have representatives working, in particular Superior Courts
•Aid poll managers in accumulating results
•15 reserves will be on call at three locations
•County teamwork is outstanding
•Fulton County Police and Sheriff
•External Affairs
•EOC
•FCIT
•DREAM
•Libraries
Key Dates
•April 7 – Began sending absentee ballots by mail
•April 24 – Voter Registration Deadline
•April 25 – 27 – Head of household mailing
•April 30 – Early Voting begins
•May 18 – Early Voting Ends
•May 22 – Election Day
•July 24 – Primary Runoff
Today, October 10 was the last day to register to vote or change your address for the November 7 mayoral and other special elections.
There are many reasons to vote. And there are twice as many reasons to early. Early voting starts in Georgia on October 16 and goes until November 3. Be sure to check your local count for specific dates locations and times.
if you live in Georgia’s largest county, here is all the information you need to vote including how to get a “sample ballot” straight from a Fulton County elections press release:
Fulton County Posts Sample Ballots for 2017 Municipal General and Special Elections:
Early Voting Begins Monday, October 16th
Fulton County’s early voting period for the November 7, 2017 General and Special Election will begin on Monday, October 16, 2017. Sample ballots can be viewed on-line at http://www.fultonelections.com. Residents are encouraged to visit the website to review candidates prior to Election Day, November 7th.
“We have posted the ballots on-line for the upcoming election to allow residents the opportunity to review the candidates running for office,” states Richard L. Barron, Director, Fulton county Department of Registration and Elections. “It’s always a good idea to review the ballots prior to heading to the polls in order to be familiar with the ballot layout.”
Voters must present an approved form of Photo Identification, as required by Georgia law. During early voting, any voter may cast their ballot at any early voting location.
For more information on voter registration and the upcoming 2014 General and Special Election, log on to http://www.fultonelections.com or 404-612-7072.
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