Next week, Georgia joins 23 other states holding presidential preference primaries and caucuses, earning the date the moniker "Super Tuesday."
Many political experts are predicting that each party will have a clear front-runner after Feb. 5.
But Georgians don’t have to wait until then to vote. Advance voting for the Feb. 5 presidential primaries begins today across Georgia and continues through Friday.
Voters must select a Republican or Democratic ballot. Candidates who dropped out of the race are on the ballot. Their votes will be counted, but they will not be awarded any delegates.
Some counties have more than just the presidential preference primaries on the ballot. Nearby Jackson and Lumpkin counties each will vote on liquor-by-the-drink referendums.
A $15 million parks and recreation bond also is on the ballot in Jackson.
While Jan. 7 was the last day to register to vote in the Feb. 5 primaries, it’s not too late to register for the July 15 state primary and the Nov. 4 general election.
You’ll be required to show a photo ID when you go to the polls in Georgia. A number of valid forms of picture identification will be accepted.
They are:
A Georgia driver’s license that was properly issued by the appropriate state agency;
A valid voter identification card or other valid identification card issued by a branch, department, agency or entity of the state of Georgia, any other state, or the United States authorized by law to issue personal identification containing a photograph;
A valid U.S. passport;
A valid employee identification card containing a photograph of the elector and issued by any branch, department, agency or entity of the United States government, this state, or any county, municipality, board, authority or other entity of this state;
A valid United States military identification card containing a photograph of the elector;
A valid tribal identification card containing a photograph of the elector.
If a voter does not have one of the required forms of photo ID, or if the voter’s name cannot be located on the voter’s list, the voter will be allowed to cast a provisional ballot.