"Sir, we don't sell beer on Sundays."
"Why the hell not?" my impatient future husband replied.
It's coming. After years of back and forth under the Gold Dome, legislators returned local control to counties and cities whose citizens will be allowed to vote on Sunday alcohol sales.
Many counties/cities will hold the first votes on November 8. You can find a full list here. I am a full supporter of the initiative, although it looks like this Cobb County voter will have to wait longer. If you don't want to buy alcohol on Sunday, don't buy alcohol on Sunday.
You have the power to make the decision. I highly encourage you to vote, especially because the State of Georgia makes it so convenient. Here are the steps.
1. Are you registered to vote?
You can check your voter registration on the Georgia Secretary of State’s website here: http://sos.georgia.gov/MVP/
Complete the form and submit. If you aren't matched in the database, you probably aren't registered to vote. On the right side of the page, it will give you helpful links to register, including this one http://sos.georgia.gov/elections/voter_registration/GA%20VOTER%20REGISTRATION%20%20APP(Fill_2007).pdf. Submit it to the Secretary of State (address on application). The deadline to register and be eligible to vote in the October 11.
If you are registered, the next website will show you the address where you are registered, your polling location, a mail in ballot request and a sample ballot (closer to Election Day).
You are legally required to vote at the address where you reside. If you are currently registered somewhere else, make sure to update your registration prior to the voter registration deadline.
Step 2: How do I vote?
Voters can choose one of three ways to cast their ballot.
1. Vote by mail (my favorite!): To receive your ballot via mail, fill out the absentee ballot request form on the Secretary of State’s website (http://sos.georgia.gov/elections/elections/voter_information/absentee_ballot_app.pdf) and mail it to your county elections supervisor. Addresses can be found on the Secretary of State’s website (http://sos.georgia.gov/cgi-bin/CountyRegistrarsIndex.asp).
You can request ballots for the General Election now.
Ballots must be received by the time polls close on Election Day. Please consider the time it takes to receive and process an application, mail a ballot to you, and return the ballot by mail when requesting a ballot.
2. Vote early: Honestly y'all, I'm not much help here. They changes the rules recently and I think they're even different for municipalities. If you would like to vote early and in person, I suggest you call your county elections supervisor, who many need to transfer you to the city elections office. Phone numbers can be found on the Secretary of State’s website (http://sos.georgia.gov/cgi-bin/CountyRegistrarsIndex.asp).
Remember, voters casting a ballot in person must provide photo ID.
3. Vote on Election Day: You can find your Election Day precinct location on the same place you checked your registration. Your municipal voting location may be different than your county location. Polls are open from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. I will be shocked if the whole process takes more than 10 minutes.
Remember, voters casting a ballot in person must provide photo ID.
Help?
If you need more help, call your county or municipal elections office. They can tell you if/when your area will hold an election. Either way, please vote. With all these options, you're really a lazy bum if you don't.
