THE CITIZEN BLOG
THE CITIZEN BLOG
Georgia U.S. Senate Runoff Election Guide
Walk off? It’s a runoff for the race the whole world is watching - the 2 seats up for grabs for the Georgia US Senate. We’ve scoured the internet for important dates, resources and ways you can get involved to ensure another record-breaking turnout for the US Senate runoff election happening January 5, 2021 .
Walk off? It’s a runoff for the race the whole world is watching - the 2 seats up for grabs for the U.S. Senate from right here in Georgia. We’ve done our research to find you important dates, resources and ways you can get involved to ensure another record-breaking voter turnout for the U.S. Senate runoff election happening January 5, 2021.
To get things started, let’s quickly recap how we got here and why this special election is so… special.
A runoff election is essentially a rematch that is held when none of the candidates meet the criteria for winning. Under Georgia law, candidates must receive a majority of the vote to win an election. If no candidate breaks 50 percent, the top two vote-getters then face off again in a runoff election to determine the winner. None of the candidates secured the majority needed to outright win, so here we are.
Quick disclaimer, we’re not political pundits or subject matter experts, and we borrowed these key pointers from the New York Times. You can get a clearer picture for why this election is so important, why the runoff laws were created, and more here.
Important Dates:
With a spike in Covid cases, the holidays, and everything 2020 has already delivered, remembering important dates might be the last thing on your mind. Here are a few key dates you can quickly add to your calendar.
Today - Request your absentee ballot (You can do that here: https://ballotrequest.sos.ga.gov/)
Your birthdate - There are 23,000-ish young people who will turn 18 post the Nov. 3 general election. So, if you or someone you know will turn 18 between now and December 7, get registered to vote in the runoff.
December 7, 2020 - Last day to register to vote in the January 5th run-off
December 14, 2020 - Early in-person voting begins
January 1, 2021 - Last day to vote IN-PERSON in the runoff
January 5, 2021 - Last day to vote in the runoff
Resources for Making Your Runoff Voting Plan
Ok, you’ve got your dates down, now you need to actually get to work. Here are some super helpful and essential resources for making your plan to vote in the runoff.
Refresh and check Georgia’s My Voter Page as often as you do your Twitter feed. Inside you’ll find things like your voter registration status, mail-In application and ballot status, early voting locations and so much more!
On the go? Branch.vote has just about every resource and tidbit of information you’ll need to make your voice heard in the runoff - all on a mobile-friendly and easy to use platform.
Not sure about which candidate deserves your vote? Ballotpedia has a nice overview of the candidates and links to learn more.
Ready to vote, but not sure what you’ll need to cast your ballot? Vote.org has a full list of everything you need based on your voting preference - in person, by mail, early, etc.
This can all be really confusing and you don’t always have time to look up definitions and fully understand all of the complicated political terms. Vote411.org has has broken down the information to make it to easy understand - including a handy list of definitions.
Did we miss something or do you have a suggestion? Let us know on Twitter and we’ll share with our followers.
Do Something Good
We asked our friends at The Georgia 55 Project for some tips and tricks to help get out the vote for the upcoming run-off and they suggested Vote Tripping. It’s pretty simple, ask 3 people in your network - friends, family, co-workers - if they have a voting plan. If they do, high fives are in order, or maybe not a high five, but a Covid friendly elbow bump. If they don’t have a plan, share this blog post with them! :)
Now that you’ve made your plan to vote, called and texted everyone you know and helped them figure out their voting plan, there’s still more you can do. Here are a few ways you can volunteer and support voters throughout the special runoff:
The ACLU of Georgia is looking for volunteers to help ensure that every eligible voter has the opportunity to cast their ballot in the Senate Run-off Election. You can help with phone banking, texting, being a legal or poll observer, and more. Learn more and sign up here.
Volunteer with the TurnOut Troop and help voters! You’ll encourage citizens across the country, whether English or Spanish-speaking, to register to vote, help voters request absentee or vote-by-mail ballots and help voters find their polling locations. Learn more and sign up here.
Volunteer with the New Georgia Project and join a volunteer voter registration drive (daily happening in all 159 counties) and find more ways you can help voters in Georgia. Learn more and sign up here.
Volunteer through Fair Fight and be a line warmer, call or text voters and more! Learn more and sign up here.
ACLU of Georgia, Hands On Atlanta Join Forces to Recruit Poll Workers for Georgia Elections
ATLANTA – The ACLU of Georgia and Hands On Atlanta are joining forces to recruit volunteers, so that our state has enough poll workers to run effective elections. The ACLU of Georgia created a poll worker recruitment program to prevent the State from a repeat of the massive failure experienced during the June 9th primary election, in which countless Georgians were deprived of their constitutional right to vote.
During the primary, many poll workers dropped out due to the risk of contracting COVID-19, poll worker recruitment efforts and/or websites failed to be clear how one becomes a poll worker and were hard to find, and some Georgians who asked to serve as poll workers never received any response. Many of the poll workers were also insufficiently trained, which led to the chaos of long lines, inoperable voting machines, and misinformation regarding provisional and absentee ballots.
Given the particular circumstances of our time and the fact that 72 is the average age of poll workers throughout the state, the ACLU of Georgia’s program seeks to recruit younger citizens who are at lower risk of COVID-19 complications, lawyers committed to understanding the ins and outs of election law and administration, and/or tech-savvy individuals who can help keep the electronic voter machines up and running.
“We are thrilled that Hands On Atlanta is partnering with us to answer the call to be involved to help recruit poll workers,” said Christopher Bruce, political director of the ACLU of Georgia. “Civic-minded citizens are key to protecting our sacred right to vote.”
“As the late representative John Lewis said, ‘The vote is precious. It’s almost sacred.’ Increasing access and rights to voting is at the core of our vision to make Atlanta the most civically engaged and equitable community in the world. We couldn’t be more excited to support the ACLU of Georgia’s efforts to recruit poll workers – supporting Rep. Lewis’s life’s work and ensuring everyone in Atlanta has the opportunity to vote.” said Jay Cranman, President and CEO of Hands On Atlanta.
Ready to learn more and get involved? We’re hosting a free, informational webinar (on Sept. 1 from 6:00pm - 7:00pm) on why poll workers are needed and how you can sign up.
For more information on the ACLU of Georgia’s Poll Worker Recruitment Program, visit acluga.org/pollworkers.