Early voting underway for special elections in Cobb, DeKalb, Fulton

Early voting has started in Cobb, DeKalb and Fulton counties ahead of a key April 18 special election.

Two contests are on the ballot, including the nationally watched race to replace former U.S. Rep. Tom Price. The 6th Congressional District that Price represented covers parts of Cobb, DeKalb and Fulton counties.

The other race on the ballot will replace former state Sen. Judson Hill, R-Marietta, and is for Senate District 32, which covers parts of Cobb and Fulton counties. Hill vacated the seat to join the field of 18 candidates running to replace Price.

How to vote early

Any voter registered in those districts can vote early.

Each of the three counties has at least one location open for early voting. In DeKalb, it’s the main elections office. Cobb will open two locations on select days. Fulton has several sites available. Be aware, however, that these are not your regular neighborhood polling places. The municipalities are only opening select sites during the early-voting period.

Use the Secretary of State Office’s online “my voter page” website (www.mvp.sos.ga.gov/MVP/mvp.do) to find a sample ballot or specific early-voting location.

You can also call your local elections office to find early-voting locations or look for the “advance voting info” link under the elections tab of the Secretary of State Office’s website (www.sos.ga.gov).

Don’t forget to bring photo identification, which can include a Georgia driver’s license, even if it’s expired; a state-issued voter identification card; a valid U.S. passport; or a valid U.S. military photo ID.

No “ballot selfies” are allowed at the polls, so wait to snap a photo until you’re outside. It is illegal in Georgia to take pictures of a ballot or voting equipment, but the Secretary of State Office has said it has seen voters in previous elections post “ballot selfies” on social media — something that could get you in trouble with the law.

Information about local elections and your “My Voter Page” can also be found on the free “GA SOS” app for your smartphone via iTunes or Google Play for Android.