ATLANTA- Secretary of State Karen Handel reminds voters participating in the September 18 elections that early voting will begin Monday, September 10, and voters will be required to show photo identification when they vote in person. Early voting will end Friday, September 14.

Voters in 22 counties will go to the polls to vote on various local issues ranging from special elections to Special Local Option Sales Tax referendums. When voting in-person during this early voting period or on Election Day, voters will be required to show one of the following six forms of photo ID:

·         A Georgia Driver’s License, even if expired

·         Any valid state or federal government issued photo ID, including a free voter ID card issued by your county registrar or DDS office

·         Valid U.S. passport

·         Valid employee photo ID from any branch, department, agency, or entity of the U.S. Government, Georgia, or any county, municipality, board, authority, or other entity of this state

·         Valid U.S. military photo ID

·         Valid tribal photo ID

If a voter does not have one of these forms of photo identification, they can get a FREE Voter ID card at their county registrars’ office or the Georgia Department of Driver’s Services.

Citizens can still request an absentee ballot through Friday, September 14. All absentee ballots must be received by the county registrar by 7:00 pm on Election Day. Photo Identification is not required when voting absentee by mail.

Anyone with additional questions about photo ID can visit www.GAPhotoID.com or call toll free 1-877-725-9797. To find early voting locations in your county, please contact your county registrars’ office.

September 18 Special Elections are scheduled for Baldwin, Berrien, Bibb, Brantley, Carroll, Charlton, Chattooga, Douglas, Echols, Fulton, Lamar, Lowndes, Marion, Meriwether, Monroe, Newton, Sumter, Tift, Treutlen, Walton, Whitfield, and Wilkinson counties.