Secretary of State News

For Immediate Release
August 21, 2008
FFI Contact: Matt Carrothers
Director of Media Relations
 404-656-4269

Secretary of State Karen Handel Reminds Voters to Bring Photo ID When Voting in the Special Primary Election Run-off

ATLANTA—Georgia Secretary of State Karen Handel today reminded voters to bring photo identification when participating in the August 26, 2008 Special Primary Election Run-off for state Senate District 13. Voters are eligible to vote in the Special Primary Run-off if they were eligible to vote in the July 15, 2008 General Primary and did not choose a Democratic ballot in the General Primary or the General Primary Run-off.

Voters will be required to show one of the following six forms of photo ID when voting in-person on Election Day:

  • 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 Georgia Department of Driver Services (DDS);
  • 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; or
  • Valid tribal photo ID.

If a voter does not have one of these forms of photo identification, they can obtain a free voter ID card at their county registrars’ office or the Georgia Department of Driver Services. Anyone with additional questions about Georgia’s photo ID requirement can visit www.GAPhotoID.com or call toll free (877) 725-9797.

Polls will be open from 7:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. on Tuesday, August 26, 2008. Voters can find voter registration information, including polling locations and legislative districts, by visiting http://sos.georgia.gov/elections/polllocator/.

Voters can request an absentee ballot from their county registrar’s office through Friday, August 22, 2008. All absentee ballots must be received by the county registrar by Election Day, Tuesday, August 26, 2008. Photo identification is not required when voting by mail.

Karen Handel was sworn in as Secretary of State in January 2007. The Secretary of State's office offers important services to our citizens and our business community. Among the office’s wide-ranging responsibilities, the Secretary of State is charged with conducting efficient and secure elections, the registration of corporations, and the regulation of securities and professional license holders. The office also oversees the Georgia Archives and the Capitol Museum.