While the 2020 presidential primary season is now officially underway, unlike four years ago, Georgia is not part of the early wave of states that will participate in selecting the candidates.
During the 2016 election cycle, Georgia was part of the giant "Super Tuesday" wave of elections in late-February, but this cycle, Georgia has shifted its presidential primaries back by about a month to Tuesday, March 24.
Important Dates For the 2020 Election Cycle
The Georgia Secretary of State's office has released dates for events related to this year's elections. Here are a list of critical dates associated with Georgia's 2020 election cycle:
- Feb. 24, 2020 - Voter Registration Deadline for the March 24 Presidential Preference Primary
- March 2, 2020 - Advance (in-person) voting begins for the Presidential Preference Primary
- March 14, 2020 - Mandatory Saturday voting for the Presidential Preference Primary
- March 20, 2020 - Final date for advance voting in the Presidential Preference Primary
- March 24, 2020 - Georgia Presidential Preference Primary
- April 20, 2020 - Voter Registration Deadline for May 19 General Primary Election
- May 19, 2020 - General Primary Election for local, state and federal offices
- Oct. 5, 2020 - Voter Registration Deadline for November General Election
- Nov. 3, 2020 - 2020 General Election
Early voting begins March 2 until March 20
Registered voters can go to any of the locations designated as early voting centers and cast a paper ballot just as they would normally do on Election Day. You need a photo ID that also has your signature.
- Click here to register to vote in Florida or register to vote in Georgia.
- See if you're already registered in Florida or click here for Georgia.
Can I vote by mail?
Any registered Georgia voter can vote absentee by mail. Just complete the application found at your home county's election website. Then, mail, fax, email (as an attachment), or drop the completed application off at your county registrar's office.
Georgia operates under an open primary system. While you do not have to register with a particular party, you will have to declare your ballot preference in a primary election so that the proper ballot can be issued to you. If the primary election constitutes a run-off, you must vote your same ballot preference in the primary run-off.
In the General Election held in November, all candidates (regardless of party affiliation) will appear on the same ballot therefore you will not have to choose a ballot preference.
Mail-in absentee ballots can be requested no earlier than 180 days prior to Election Day and must be received by your county's registrar no later than the close of the polls on Election Day.
First Coast County-by-County breakdown in Georgia:
Brantley County
Early voting begins on March 2 until March 20. You can vote at the Brantley County Voter Registration and Elections Office from Monday to Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. and on Saturday, March 14 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Camden County
Early voting begins on March 2 until March 20 from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. every weekday.
Charlton County
Early voting begins on March 2 until March 20. You can vote at the Charlton County Elections & Voter Registration, 1520 3rd St. Suite C, Folkston Georgia, 31537 on Mondays to Fridays from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. and on Saturday, March 14 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
You can vote at the St. George fire station at 13063 Florida Ave., St. George, Georgia on Saturday, March 7 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Glynn County
Early voting begins on March 2 until March 20. You can vote at any of the early voting sites on Mondays from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m., Tuesdays to Fridays from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. and on Saturday, March 14, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Pierce County
Early voting begins on March 2 until March 20. You can vote at 312 Nichols St., Blackshear, Georgia on Monday to Friday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., and on Saturday, March 14, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Ware County
Early voting begins on March 2 until March 20. You can vote at 408 Tebeau St. in Waycross, Georgia from Monday to Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. and on Saturday, March 14 from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Board of Elections and Registration
408 Tebeau Street
Waycross, GA 31501
Office Phone: (912) 287-4363
Fax: (912) 287-4364
E-Mail: elections@warecounty.com
*Correction: Georgia operates under an open primary system. A previous version of this story incorrectly characterized the state's primary rules.
