The Atlanta Journal-Constitution

AN ELECTION DAY PRIMER

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Election Day 2018 probably couldn’t come soon enough for Georgia voters, and it may well not bring the last word we hear from candidates this year. Voters will find a ballot chock-full of statewide and local races, with a bonus of several ballot questions. Polls are open from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Here’s what you need to know:

■ Where do I vote?

Before you go, find personaliz­ed sample ballots and your polling location on the secretary of state’s “My Voter Page” website (www.mvp.sos.ga.gov). If you mailed in an absentee ballot, you can also check that site to see whether it has been received.

If you’re already out, you can check the same informatio­n on the state’s mobile apps. You can download the free apps for Apple or Android operating systems using either the iTunes app store for an iPhone or iPad, or Google Play for Android.

■ What if I don’t know if I’m registered?

Check the secretary of state’s web page. Or contact your local election office directly. You can find a phone number through a telephone directory or on the Secretary of State Office’s website at www.sos.ga.gov/ cgi-bin/ county registrars index.asp.

■ What to bring with you

Georgia requires voters to show photo identifica­tion when they vote in person. Approved forms of identifica­tion include a Georgia driver’s license, even if it’s expired; a state-issued voter identifica­tion card; a valid U.S. passport; and a valid U.S. military photo ID.

■ Runoffs

Georgia requires election winners to receive a majority of the vote — you’ll often hear politicos refer to this margin as “50 percent plus one (vote).” Several key races this fall have more than two candidates, making runoff elections possible. That means a Dec. 4 runoff is a possibilit­y in the governor’s race and a sweep of down-ticket races with a Libertaria­n candidate.

■ Problems

If you see or experience problems, contact your local elections office or call the nonpartisa­n Election Protection coalition at 866-OUR-VOTE. The Atlanta Journal-Constituti­on is also covering problems at the polls in partnershi­p with Election land, a project covering ballot access and voting rights issues. To report problems, send a text message with the word “VOTE” or “VOTA” (for Spanish language) to 81380, or use Facebook Messenger by visiting m.me/ election land.

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