Frequently Asked Voting Questions

Please click on the dropdown options below to view additional information about voting eligibility.

CURRENTLY SERVICE A SENTENCE

Can I vote if I am on probation?

Maybe. If you are on probation for a misdemeanor you are eligible to vote. You are also eligible if you are serving a first offender sentence for a felony. But if you were convicted of a felony or had your felony first offender revoked and are still serving a sentence, you are not eligible to vote until you complete your sentence.

Can I vote if I was sentenced under the First Offender Act or Conditional Discharge?

Maybe. If you were sentenced under first offender or conditional discharge and your status has not been revoked, you are eligible to vote. These sentences are not convictions unless the judge revokes the status. If your felony first offender or conditional discharge case was revoked and you are still serving the sentence, you are not eligible to vote until the sentence is complete.

Can I vote if I pled Nolo contendere to a felony offense?

Yes. If you pled “Nolo,” you are still eligible to vote, even while serving your sentence.  Nolo pleas are rare for felonies.

INCARCERATED

Can I vote if I’m in jail?

Maybe. You are eligible to vote as long as you are not serving a sentence for a felony conviction. If you are in jail because of a pending case or you are serving a sentence for a misdemeanor conviction you are eligible to vote. You are not eligible if you were convicted of a felony and are awaiting transfer to a state prison. To register you must mail the registration application to your local voter registration office.

Can I vote if I am in prison?

No. Unless sentenced under First Offender Act or Conditional Discharge.

Can I vote if I was convicted of a misdemeanor offense?

Yes. Only people convicted of a felony offense are ineligible to vote until the completion of their sentence.

SENTENCE COMPLETION

How do I know if my sentence is complete?

Once your felony sentence is completed, you are eligible to register to vote. If you are not sure if your sentence is complete you should request a Certificate of Sentence Completion from the Department of Community Supervision (DCS). A Certificate of Sentence Completion demonstrates that people with felony convictions are no longer under correctional control and have completed their sentence.  To obtain a certificate, contact your original DCS probation office or request from a local probation office.  For additional information, visit https://dcs.georgia.gov/ or contact DCS at (678) 783-4337.

What if I still owe fines and fees?

The Georgia Secretary of State recently announced that, “[y]our felony sentence is considered completed even if you have outstanding monetary obligations other than fines, such as unpaid restitution, fees, costs, or surcharges,” and that fines imposed as a condition of your probation are “automatically cancelled upon completion of probation.” If you are not sure if you have outstanding fines or if your sentence is complete, contact your original DCS probation office at (678) 783-4337.

DOCUMENTATION

Do I need a pardon or other documentation to register to vote?

No. You do not need a Pardon and are not required to provide any documentation about your criminal history to register. However, some people have been wrongfully purged from registration rolls due to their criminal history or told they could not register. Obtaining a Certificate of Sentence Completion from DCS can show that you have completed your sentence for a felony conviction and are eligible to vote.

Are there other requirements to be able to vote in Georgia?

At the time of the election, you must be at least 18 years old and have photo ID. To register you must also be a United States citizen, a Georgia resident, and have not been declared mentally incompetent.

OTHER QUESTIONS

I am still serving a sentence for a felony conviction, should I just try to register to vote anyway?

No.  It is against the law to try to register to vote when you know you are not eligible.

What if I have a felony conviction from another state?

As long as you are not currently serving a felony sentence, you can register to vote in Georgia. It doesn’t matter what the voting laws are in the other state—Georgia law allows anyone to vote who is not currently under felony sentence.

RESOURCES AND HELPFUL LINKS

How do I register to vote in Georgia?

The easiest way is online:  https://registertovote.sos.ga.gov. You can also go to your local county board of registrar or elections office for a mail-in registration form.

To be able to vote, you need to re-register, just as you would if you moved.  You can go to your local county board of registrars’ office or election office, public library, public assistance office, recruitment office, schools and other government offices for a mail-in registration form.  You can also apply online at https://registertovote.sos.ga.gov.

Having difficulty registering to vote?

If you have any questions or need help understanding if your sentence is complete (if you are off paper), contact us by clicking here.  If you have any difficulty registering or casting your ballot, contact the Election Protection Hotline at 866-OUR-VOTE.

Get in Touch

(404) 228-6050
EMAIL US

Open Hours

Monday – Friday – 7:30 am to 6:00 pm

Saturday: By Appointment Only

Sunday: Closed

Our Office

1882 Princeton Avenue
Suite 1
Atlanta, GA 30337

Email Us