Election Information: the Inside Scoop from Emory Votes Initiative
Category : PROspective
As this years election is fast approaching, many of us have questions about navigating the voting process. With misinformation running rampant on social media and what seems like a countless number of registration deadlines to remember, voting can quickly become overwhelming. This past week, I was able to connect with Tereza Lewis from the Emory Votes Initiative (a nonpartisan initiative that fosters a civically engaged campus by providing voter information, increasing voter turnout, and empowering our community with credible political resources) in search of some clarity about what we as voters need to be thinking about as we aim to fulfill our civic duty as voters. Keep reading for her responses to some of the most pressing election related questions!
Why is it important for Emory students to register and vote in this upcoming election?
Tereza: Elections and voting are an essential component of a healthy democracy. While it’s not perfect, it certainly provides an important temperature check on what the status of our society is. We can currently see that if voting didn’t matter, there wouldn’t be attempts to stop it or challenge it. Moreover, we don’t only elect candidates but important measures and policies which can have a direct impact on our communities.
What are some important dates/deadlines to keep in mind as the election approaches?
Tereza: The first one approaching is registration deadline on October 7! As it takes several weeks in GA to get one’s registration on the voters list, I advise everybody who have not registered yet and plan to vote in GA, to do so ASAP.
Tereza also provided me a flyer with a full list of important dates, summarized here:
- Mon. Aug 19 – First day to request an absentee ballot
- Mon. Oct 7 – Deadline for voter registration/change of address
- Tue. Oct 15 – Early voting begins
- Fri. Oct 25 – Last day to request an absentee ballot
- Fri. Nov 1 – Early voting ends
- Tue. Nov 5 – Election Day! Polls open 7am-7pm (no RSPH classes meeting synchronously)
**Please note that the above dates/deadlines apply to voters in Georgia, and students voting in another state should confirm with local government to ensure all deadlines are met, as they may vary.**
Where can students find more information about the candidates on the ballot to make an informed voting decision?
Tereza: There are endless possibilities for how to find more information on the candidates and measures. The most important step is to know what’s on your ballot. You can find the information on the my voter page closer to the voting period or look up a general version on Ballotpedia.
On candidates and measures, one can use guides.vote, Vote 411, Ballot Ready, USA Gov, and many more.
On candidates, I personally tend to look up information on their campaign websites.
On measures, one can look at the NCSL Ballot Measures Database.
How can Georgia residents register to vote?
Tereza: For GA residents, the process is easier as they can register online. After they register, they can check their voter status.
How can students with out-of-state residency register to vote?
Tereza: Out-of-state students need to physically fill out a voter registration form that they can print out or pick up from Woodruff Library or Center for Civic And Community Engagement office.
Steps:
1) Fill it out. Print clearly! Write your name in #1 and your GA address in #2:
- Clifton campus: 1762 Clifton Rd. Ste 1650, MSC ###, Atlanta, GA 30322. Your county is DeKalb.
- Clairmont campus: 1946 Starvine Way, MSC ###, Decatur, GA 30033. Your county is DeKalb.
Your MSC number is found on your MyHousing portal. If you live off-campus, provide your street address and county. Include your birthdate (#4) and last 4 digits of your SSN (#5). For #6, read the text carefully. Then (if applicable) check the boxes, date and sign with ink.
2) Include a copy of your ID. This can be a U.S. passport or driver’s license/ID from any state. If you live off-campus, it’s also a good idea to include proof of GA residence: utility bill, bank statement, paystub, etc.
3) How to submit your application:
- Scan your completed form and ID (both sides) into a PDF. Email to voterreg [at] dekalbcountyga [dot] gov. If you do not live on campus, make sure you know your county, it might be different from DeKalb County. If you live outside of DeKalb County, refer to your county elections website
After the registration is complete, one can look up their status here.
**Note that the above steps apply to out of state students registering to vote in Georgia, and students voting in another state should confirm with local government to ensure all deadlines and steps are met, as they may vary.**
For more information, please visit the Emory Votes Initiative webpage or visit the Rollins Election Day Initiative on social media (@emoryredi on X and @emory.redi on Instagram).
