Election Day is Nov. 4, but there are ways to beat the crowds expected that day. Here’s what you need to know about voting in Georgia.

Who can vote

Any Georgia citizen who is at least 18 years old on election day, has not been found mentally incompetent by a court and is not still serving a sentence or has outstanding fines for a felony conviction. [A felon’s voting rights are restored if they have completed any sentences of probation or prison, are not on parole or probation and have paid all court-ordered fines and restitution].

Registration

You can’t vote if you are not registered. The deadline to register to vote in the Nov. 4 election is Oct. 6. There are various ways to sign up:

• Applications are available at county elections offices, public assistance offices, military recruitment offices, libraries, public schools, registrar’s office or the office of the vice president of academic affairs at any college or university and other government offices.

• You can download an application from Georgia’s Secretary of State’s Office, then mail it to the address on the form.

• Applications can be requested by phone, letter or e-mail from the Secretary of State’s Office or local voter registration offices.

• Voters can register or renew registrations when applying for a driver’s license at Department of Motor Vehicle Safety drivers license posts.

• Various registration drives that are being held at festivals, shopping centers, MARTA stations and college campuses.

When registering by mail, the application should be accompanied by a copy of a government-issued photo ID, current utility bill or bank statement, a government check or pay check or any government document. The documents must include the voter’s name and home address [P.O. boxes are not accepted].

No documentation is required when registering in person.

You can verify registration and polling places online or by calling local election offices.

You also can find the numbers for each county’s election office online.

Voting

There are three ways to vote:

• Applications to vote early by mail can be requested by mail, phone, fax, e-mail or in person. Certain information is required: name, date of birth, home address, type of election [general election], date and signature.

Close relatives can apply for an absentee ballot for voters who are disabled or temporarily outside the country. Voters are no longer required to have a reason for voting early.

You can find more information online.

• Early voting is in progress at all county elections offices. This was once known as “in person absentee voting,” but this election is the first time voters do not have to give a reason for voting weeks in advance of the election. A government-issued ID is required to vote.

• Advance voting is the week before the election, Oct. 27-31. Local election officials open more voting sites and for extended hours. A government-issued ID is required.

• Election day voting is expected to be heavy. Polls are open 7 a.m.-7 p.m. and voters can verify their polling place online. Don’t forget a picture ID when you actually go to the polls.

What not to wear

Campaigning is not allowed at polling places so poll workers will turn away anyone wearing a campaign T-shirt, button, cap or anything else advocating a candidate or a political party.

Trouble

Several organizations offer legal and other help with problems registering to vote, getting ballots, getting to polling places and voting on election day. Some of them are:

• Georgia Secretary of State Office, Elections Division: 404-656-2871, 1-877-725-9797

• Election Protection: 1-866-OUR-VOTE

• League of Women Voters: 678-547-0755

• ACLU Voting Rights Project: 877-523-2792

• Coalition for the People’s Agenda: 877-524-VOTE

Early voting locations in metro Atlanta include:

• Cherokee County: Monday-Friday, 8:30-5 p.m., 400 East Main St., Canton; 770-479-0407

• Clayton County: Monday-Friday, 8 a.m.-5 p.m., 121 South McDonough St., Jonesboro, 770-477-3372

• Cobb County: Monday-Friday, 8 a.m.-5 p.m., 736 Whitlock Ave., Marietta; 770-528-2581

• DeKalb County: Monday-Friday, 8 a.m.-7 p.m., 4380 Memorial Drive, Suite 300, Decatur; 404-298-4020

• Fayette County: Monday-Friday, 8 a.m.- 5 p.m., 140 Stonewall Ave., Suite 208, Fayetteville: 770-305-5408

• Forsyth County: Monday-Friday, 8 a.m.- 4:30 p.m., 110 East Main St., Suite 200, Cumming; 770-781-2118

• Fulton County, three locations: Monday-Friday, 8:30 a.m.-5 p.m., 141 Pryor St. SW; 5600 Stonewall Tell Road, Atlanta; 7741 Roswell Road, Atlanta; 404-612-7020

• Gwinnett County: Monday-Friday, 9 a.m.-4:30 p.m., 455 Grayson Highway, Suite 200, Lawrenceville; 678-226-7210

• Henry County: Monday-Friday, 8 a.m.-5 p.m., 66 Veteran’s Drive, McDonough; 770-288-6448

The Georgia Secretary of State Web site has information, in PDF form, about voting locations in every county.

The Committee to Elect Kimberly Esmond Adams Judge Featured Content

Voting early or at polls: What you need to know

Father Rapes Daughter.