Georgia Secretary of State Brian Kemp reminds Georgia voters that the polls open for advance in-person voting leading up to the March 21, 2017 special elections in 56 counties. Secretary Kemp encourages all voters to take advantage of Georgia’s advance voting period, which also includes absentee voting by mail, in these upcoming March contests.

“In Georgia, voters have unprecedented access to the polls with early voting opportunities and new technologies, such as Online Voter Registration and the ‘My Voter Page’, to easily register to vote and stay informed throughout the election cycle,” stated Secretary of State Brian Kemp.

Georgia voters can use the office’s “My Voter Page” or download the “GA SOS” app to check registration status, view a sample ballot, find their voting location, or request an absentee ballot. Voters are advised to request absentee ballots well in advance of the March 17, 2017 deadline to vote by mail in the special elections.

Throughout the advance voting period, state law requires the polls to be open during normal business hours. On Election Day, the polls will be open from 7:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m.

Secretary Kemp reminds Georgians that photography is prohibited in a polling place when voting is underway unless the poll manager gives approval, which is often provided for limited media coverage. It is illegal to take pictures of a ballot or voting equipment. In previous elections, voters have posted "ballot selfies" on social media in violation of statutory law.

"If you are going to post about your voting experience on social media, I encourage you to post your peach voting sticker, not your ballot," said Kemp. "Georgia law intends to preserve secrecy of the ballot for all voters."