BACKGROUND: CHANGES IN VOTER REGISTRATION OPTIONS HAS LED TO DROP IN REGISTERED VOTERS

Since Georgia implemented automatic motor registration in 2016, over 80% registered to vote simultaneously with getting their driver’s license with an “opt out” feature. The new Georgia Department of Driver’s Services website changed this to “opt in," requiring additional action to be registered to vote.

• This change resulted in a sudden drop of registrations by more than 50% over a 15-month period. Voting advocates identified the issue this spring. Driver’s Services corrected the web site, but there was no outreach to impacted residents.

• For example, in Dekalb County, this flaw has resulted in a 10% decrease of registered voters, 53,818 fewer than our high in January 2021 of 554,852. DeKalb County went from nearly 94% of the voting age population registered to 84%.

WHAT CAN YOU DO?

Use your own Network to make Blue Waves:

• Check your registration status on My Voter Page at https://mvp.sos.ga.gov/s/

• Encourage your neighbors, friends and family to check their registration status, especially if they obtained a new driver’s license since January 2021.

• Share this link to help people register online: https://registertovote.sos.ga.gov/GAOLVR/welcometoga.do#no-back-button

• Share this information on social media or community/group newsletters.

Check back here for opportunities to assist in Voter Registration Drives.

The deadline to register to vote for the November midterms in October 11th.