Many hail registering to vote as one of the most important steps in an adult’s life, and it is one of the few things that being 18-years-old still opens to the young American.
Registering to vote allows Americans to take a step towards becoming a civically responsible citizen. Many over the years have fought for this right to be available to all. One such person was the freedom rider and Congressman John Lewis.
“The vote is precious,” Lewis wrote on Twitter in 2016. “It is the most powerful non-violent tool we have in a democratic society, and we must use it.”
The quickest way to register to vote is online. For those who live in Georgia, you can start on the website of the Secretary of State’s My Voter Page. Click on the small button that says “Register,” and it will walk you through the process.
To vote in Georgia, it is necessary to be a Georgia resident and a citizen of the United States. Additionally, you will need legal documents to prove this. Any of the following documents are acceptable as proof:
- Any valid state or federal government-issued photo ID
- A Georgia driver’s license (which may be expired)
- Valid employee photo ID from any employment with the U.S. government, Georgia, or any county, city or other state authority or entity.
- Valid U.S. passport
- Valid U.S. military ID
- Valid tribal photo ID
In order to be an eligible voter for an election, it is necessary to register to vote at least 30 days prior to that election.
The first upcoming major election will be a state special election of legislation Nov. 2.
Henry Keating '24 is a sophomore at Mercer, studying Journalism and History. He has worked at The Cluster as both a writer and SGA correspondent. He enjoys playing and listening to music, hiking and camping, and photography in his spare time.
