Early Voting in Atlanta: How, When, and Where to Vote Before Election Day

Early voting in Atlanta gives you a flexible way to cast your ballot before Election Day, avoid long lines, and choose a time and location that works for your schedule. Whether you live in the City of Atlanta or you’re a college student here during election season, understanding how early voting works in Atlanta, Georgia will help you plan ahead and vote with confidence.

Early Voting Basics in Atlanta

In Atlanta, early voting is usually called “advance voting” or “early in-person voting.” It is managed by county election offices, not by the City of Atlanta itself.

Most Atlanta residents are in one of these counties:

• Fulton County (covers most of the City of Atlanta)
• DeKalb County
• Cobb County
• Clayton County

Your county of residence controls:

• Early voting locations
• Dates and hours
• Drop box locations (when available)
• Sample ballots and voting equipment

You must vote in the county where you are registered, even if you work or go to school in a different county.

Who Can Use Early Voting in Atlanta?

Almost every registered voter can use early voting. You do not need a special reason.

You can vote early in Atlanta if:

• You are a U.S. citizen
• You are a Georgia resident
• You are registered to vote in your Georgia county
• You are not currently serving a felony sentence involving moral turpitude
• You meet the age requirement (18 by Election Day; 17½ to register)

If you recently moved within metro Atlanta, make sure your voter registration matches your current address. That determines which county’s early voting sites you can use and which local races appear on your ballot.

When Does Early Voting Happen in Atlanta?

Georgia law provides a fixed window for early voting before most elections. For major statewide and federal elections, there are typically:

• At least 3 weeks of weekday early voting
• At least one Saturday of early voting
• Optional Sunday early voting, depending on the county

Each county sets its exact schedule and hours within that window. In metro Atlanta, large counties like Fulton, DeKalb, Cobb, and Clayton often offer:

• Extended hours on some days
• Multiple weekend options for big elections
• Additional sites in high-traffic areas

⚠️ Important: Early voting start and end dates change with each election. Always check the current election schedule for your county before you go.

Where to Vote Early in Atlanta

Because Atlanta spans multiple counties, your early voting location depends on where you live, not where you work or shop.

Below are some major election offices that publish early voting locations.

Fulton County (Most of the City of Atlanta)

If you live in most City of Atlanta addresses, you are likely registered in Fulton County.

Fulton County Department of Registration & Elections
141 Pryor St SW, Suite 4075
Atlanta, GA 30303
Phone: 404-612-7020

Fulton County usually offers:

• A central early voting site in downtown Atlanta
• Multiple sites across North and South Fulton
• Weekend voting at several locations for big elections

DeKalb County (East Atlanta, Some In-Town Neighborhoods)

Parts of Atlanta east of downtown and several in-town neighborhoods fall in DeKalb County.

DeKalb County Voter Registration & Elections
4380 Memorial Dr
Decatur, GA 30032
Phone: 404-298-4020

DeKalb County often offers:

• Early voting at the main elections office
• Additional locations at community centers and libraries

Cobb County (Northwest Atlanta Areas)

Some Atlanta-adjacent neighborhoods and mailing addresses are in Cobb County.

Cobb County Elections & Registration
995 Roswell St NE
Marietta, GA 30060
Phone: 770-528-2581

Cobb County normally provides:

• Central early voting in Marietta
• Satellite sites across the county for major elections

Clayton County (South of Atlanta, Near Airport Area)

Areas just south of Atlanta and near the airport may be in Clayton County.

Clayton County Elections & Registration
121 S McDonough St
Jonesboro, GA 30236
Phone: 770-477-3372

Clayton frequently offers:

• Early voting at the main elections office
• Additional locations for higher-turnout elections

Quick Reference: Early Voting in Atlanta by County

Use your home address to confirm which county you’re in and which sites you can use.

What You Need to Bring to Vote Early

Georgia requires photo ID for in-person voting, including early voting. Bring one of the following commonly accepted IDs:

• Georgia driver’s license (valid or expired)
• Georgia state ID card
• U.S. passport
• Military photo ID
• Tribal photo ID
• Employee photo ID from any branch of U.S., Georgia, or local government

If you don’t have one of these, you may be able to get a free Georgia voter ID card from your county registrar’s office or a Georgia Department of Driver Services location.

Optional but helpful to bring:

• Your precinct card (if you received one)
• A note or screenshot of your early voting location and hours
• A sample ballot you reviewed in advance

How Early Voting Works Step by Step

Here’s what to expect when you vote early in Atlanta:

1. Choose your location and time

   • Confirm which county you live in.
   • Look up early voting sites and hours for that county.
   • Pick the date, location, and time that fits your schedule.

2. Arrive at the early voting site

   • Follow signs for “Advance Voting” or “Early Voting.”
   • Some sites may have security screening if they’re inside government buildings.

3. Check in

   • Present your photo ID to the poll worker.
   • They’ll confirm your registration and provide a voter access card or direct you to a ballot, depending on the equipment used.

4. Receive your ballot

   • In most metro Atlanta counties, you’ll vote on an electronic machine that prints a paper ballot for review.
   • In some situations (like provisional voting), you may fill out a paper ballot by hand.

5. Vote privately

   • Follow the on-screen or printed instructions.
   • Take your time. You can ask poll workers for help with the process, but not with how to vote.

6. Review and cast your ballot

   • If your county uses ballot-marking devices, you’ll typically:
     • Review the printed ballot summary, then
     • Insert it into a ballot scanner.
   • Make sure your selections look correct before you finalize.

7. Get your sticker and go

   • Once your ballot is cast, you’re done.
   • You cannot vote again on Election Day if you already voted early.

Early Voting vs. Election Day vs. Absentee Voting

In Atlanta, you have three main ways to vote:

1. Early In-Person Voting (Advance Voting)

• Vote on a day that works for you before Election Day
• Use any early voting site in your county
• Often shorter lines than Election Day
• Especially helpful if you work long hours, have childcare needs, or rely on public transit

2. Election Day Voting

• Held on the official Election Day only
• You must vote at your assigned polling place, based on your home address
• Can be busy, especially before and after typical work hours

3. Absentee Voting by Mail

Georgia also allows absentee voting by mail without a specific excuse. The process usually involves:

• Requesting an absentee ballot from your county’s elections office
• Receiving your ballot by mail
• Marking it at home
• Returning it by mail or in person by the deadline (rules for drop boxes and return locations can change, so check current guidance)

For Atlanta residents who travel frequently, are away at college, or have mobility challenges, absentee voting can be a practical option.

How to Find Your Early Voting Location in Atlanta

To find your specific early voting options:

1. Confirm your registration and county

   • Use your home address to determine the county where you are registered.

2. Check your county elections office

   • Look for sections labeled “Advance Voting,” “Early Voting,” or “Upcoming Elections.”
   • You’ll typically see:
     • A list of early voting sites
     • Dates and hours
     • Any weekend voting options

3. Note transit and parking details

   • Many Atlanta early voting sites are in libraries, government buildings, or community centers with free parking.
   • If you rely on MARTA:
     • Look for early voting sites near rail stations or major bus routes.
     • Some early voting locations in Fulton and DeKalb are accessible by MARTA bus or rail.

4. Plan your visit

   • Avoid the first and last days of early voting if you want shorter lines.
   • Mid-morning and mid-afternoon on weekdays are often less crowded.

Tips for a Smooth Early Voting Experience in Atlanta

• Verify everything before you go
  Double-check your registration status, early voting location, and hours for that specific election.

• Review your ballot ahead of time
  Many counties provide a sample ballot so you can research candidates and questions before you arrive.

• Allow extra time
  Traffic, MARTA delays, or lines can add time to your trip, especially in busy parts of Atlanta.

• Bring what you need

  • Required photo ID
  • Glasses if you need them to read
  • Any notes or reminders you’ve written for yourself (but no campaign materials inside the polling place)

• Know your rights in line

  • If you’re in line before closing time, you’re generally allowed to vote even if the line moves past closing.
  • Poll workers can answer procedural questions and provide help with accessibility needs.

Early Voting for College Students, New Residents, and Travelers

Atlanta’s large student and mobile population often has special questions about early voting:

College Students in Atlanta

If you attend school at Georgia State, Georgia Tech, Spelman, Morehouse, Clark Atlanta, Emory, or another Atlanta-area college:

• Confirm whether your voter registration address is:
  • Your Atlanta address (dorm or apartment), or
  • Your hometown address elsewhere in Georgia or another state.

If you’re registered in an Atlanta-area county, you can use that county’s early voting locations while school is in session.

New Residents

If you recently moved to Atlanta:

• Update your Georgia voter registration with your new Atlanta address as early as possible.
• Once updated, you’ll vote in your new county and use its early voting sites.

Traveling Around Election Time

If you’ll be out of town for most of the early voting period and on Election Day:

• Consider absentee voting by mail through your county elections office.
• Request and return your ballot as early as you can to allow for mail time.

Key Takeaways: Early Voting in Atlanta

• Early voting is widely available across Atlanta’s counties and is open to almost all registered voters.
• You must vote in the county where you are registered, even if you work or study elsewhere in the metro area.
• Bring a valid photo ID and check your location and hours before you go.
• Early voting can help you avoid long Election Day lines, work around your schedule, and vote at a convenient site.

If you live, work, or study in Atlanta and want flexibility, using early voting is one of the easiest ways to make sure your voice is heard in local, state, and national elections.