Voters can get clarification on districts

Well, Madison County election officials want to make sure you get that answer before you cast your ballot in the July 31 primaries.

With the federally mandated redistricting following the 2010 Census, some Madison County households are now in a different local voting district. Meanwhile, Madison County’s districts 2 and 4 have been swapped.

Officials know these changes can cause confusion.

So, if you’re unsure of your district status, here are some ways to get clarification:

•Look for your new precinct card in the mail. Each registered voter will receive a card notifying them what district they’re in. Madison County chief registrar Tracy Dean said all registered voters should have a card by June 30. “If you haven’t received one by then, you need to give us a call,” she said.

•Call the county registrar’s office at 706-795-6335. Dean said the office welcomes calls from those seeking clarification on their districts.

•Visit the county government complex and view the map on display near the front entrance.

Election superintendent Cody Cross praised Dean and the registrar’s office for their work in verifying the status of each household along the district lines.
“She and her staff have done an outstanding job taking on redistricting,” said Cross.

VOTER REGISTRATION DEADLINE AHEAD

The voter registration deadline for the July 31 general primary/non partisan election will be July 2. Voter registration applications are available at the board of registrar’s office in the county government complex from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Applications are also available at the Madison County Library and can be downloaded at the Georgia Secretary of State website at www.sos.ga.us.

Persons who have applied for voter registration at the Department of Drivers Services and have not received a precinct identification card in the mail are encouraged to inquire about the status of their application at the registrar’s office at 706-795-6335 or through the “MVP” option at www.sos.ga.us. Voters may also call toll-free at 1-888-265-1115 and using their Social Security number receive access to this information.

July 2 is the last day for a voter to change their name or address if he/she has moved within the county to an address that is different from the address shown on the voter’s registration card. It is the duty of the voter to notify the board of registrars by this date in order for the voter to be placed in the correct precinct and for the voter’s name to be placed on the correct list of voters.

EARLY VOTING BEGINS JULY 9

Voters may vote early beginning the week of July 9 through July 27 in the registrar’s office from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. There will also be Saturday voting, July 21, from 9 a.m. until 4 p.m. “For the Saturday voting, please use the side door at the registrars’ office,” officials said. There will be no absentee voting on the Monday prior to the election.

Georgia law requires voters to show identification when voting in person. Acceptable forms of ID include a Georgia driver’s license (even if expired), a valid government employee ID, a valid U.S. passport, a U.S. military photo, a tribal photo ID or any valid state or federal government issued ID.