Elections division kicks off high school voter registration drive

Secretary of State Karen Handel today announced the kickoff of the "Georgia Votes" high school voter registration drive. The Secretary of State's Elections Division is partnering with high schools throughout the state to increase awareness about registering to vote and the voting process.

Handel said, "We want all eligible high school students to register and vote. Only 7 percent of registered Georgians age 18-24 voted in the 2004 presidential general election, and this is one way we can help encourage young adults to take part in the process. I urge all of Georgia's high schools to participate in this important civic program."

This week, the Elections Division will begin mailing Georgia Votes kits to nearly 500 public and private high schools. Each Georgia Votes kit includes voter registration forms and instruction pamphlets, promotional materials, voter information guides, brochures that detail Georgia's photo identification requirement and more.

"Thousands of Georgians, including eligible high school students and recent high school graduates, will cast their first votes this year," Handel said. "A presidential election year is an exciting time to make a life-long commitment to participating in the democratic process."

High school representatives that have not yet requested a Georgia Votes kit are encouraged to contact the Secretary of State's Elections Division at 404-656-2871. Eligible citizens who are not yet registered to vote can also register at their county registrar's office. The deadline to register to vote in Georgia's Presidential Preference Primary is January 7, 2008. Photo identification is required to vote in this and all Georgia elections.

For more information please visit www.sos.ga.gov/elections.