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Health & Fitness

VOTE * Georgia Primary Elections - Tuesday, May 20, 2014 * VOTE

* Primary Elections - Tuesday, May 20th * VOTE

by Sherri Caldwell - The Rebel Housewife

I have never voted in a Primary Election. I would be more ashamed about that, but I know I’m not the only one: It’s complicated. Life is busy. I thought I was doing well to vote in The Big Ones, every four years.  I never wanted to commit-for-life either way—Democrat or Republican—until now.

And now, with two teenagers ruffling their wings to fly the nest, and one already flown, serving our country in the U.S. Navy, overseas; considering their future and the present realities of politics and government; in light of recent decisions, legislation and disappointments; I am compelled to broaden my worldview from PTA politics and K-12 Education to more active involvement beyond my own neighborhood.

There are many ways to be a more involved citizen and a more informed voter, but the most imminent for us in Georgia:

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Primary Elections on Tuesday, May 20th – 7:00am to 7:00pm

* * Vote Early in Fulton County through 5/16 * *

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Why vote in the Primary Election?

Your vote in the Primary helps determine who appears on the General Election ballot in November.

Your involvement strengthens our government-- by the people, for the people.

As it turns out, voting in the Primary Election is no more complicated than voting in the General Election in November, but we'll walk through it, for new voters and as a refresher. There is a FAQ with more information below.

First -->  

Check your voter registration status with the Georgia Secretary of State online at My Voter Page (MVP).

Use the MVP to Log In to check your

• Voter registration status*

• Mail-In application and ballot status

• Poll location

• Early voting locations

• Elected Officials

• Registration information on file with the county office

• Sample ballot for the upcoming election

• Provisional Ballot status

*You can also Register to Vote on the MVP, and you will be able to vote in the General Election in November.  The registration deadline for the Primary Election was April 21, 2014.  Register now, anyway, so you won’t have to worry about the General Election registration deadline (October 6, 2014).

Second -->

MARK YOUR CALENDAR/SET A REMINDER: 

* * Tuesday, May 20 – 7:00am to 7:00pm * *

Third -->

Preliminary Preparation: There are many sources of information available (see FAQ suggestions below), but your My Voter Page is a great place to start, because you can print out your Sample Ballot (Democratic or Republican).

It is not as complicated as it might first appear, because a lot of the positions only have one candidate in the Primary Election.


Fourth -->

Choose Your Candidates: A great source of information for research and comparison is available from the League of Women Voters of Georgia, in partnership with the Atlanta Journal-Constitution and WSB-TV: 2014 Online Voter Guide.

"The 2014 Online Voter Guide is a non-partisan resource for voters in Georgia. The League, the AJC, and WSB-TV do not endorse candidates and thoroughly believe that voters should judge candidates based on their own merits, ideas and platform. We work very hard to provide an intelligent, equitable forum where that can occur."

You can use the 2014 Online Voter Guide to step through the ballot and compare candidates’ information and survey responses, side by side. Make your selections as you go, and you will be able to mark on your MVP Sample Ballot (Democratic or Republican). You will want to visit the 2014 Online Voter Guide again, before the General Election, to have the information and compare all candidates on the General Election ballot.

Finally --> FAQ

Frequently Asked Questions: Voting in Primary Elections

With my friend and local political mentor, Anna Foote – ATL Gal:

1)  Who can vote in the Primary Election?

Anyone who has registered to vote by the deadline imposed by the State in which you live can vote in a Primary.

2)  Do you have to be affiliated/registered with either party to participate?

No, but you will have to chose a Party ballot because you can only vote in ONE primary. Remember, these are elections put on by the specific Political Parties recognized by the State, so that they can determine who they will put forward on the ballot as their representative in the General Election in November.  If there were five Political Parties, for instance, you'd have a choice between one of them - but we only have a two-party system and 'Independents' have to solicit signatures on a petition to get onto the General Election ballot.

3)  Is the Democratic Primary and Republican Primary at the same time & place?

Yes - because the State and Counties run the elections, each Party must get their respective ballots into that one coordinated event. You will also see 'straw poll' questions on Party ballots so they can get a sense from their 'base' about how they 'feel' about specific issues - this helps set Party Platform and policy.

4)  Do you receive a different ballot, if you are a Democrat or Republican?

Yes, each State Party prepares their own ballot.

5)  What is the best source of information, to research and make your own decisions regarding individual candidates?

Many ways - go to your own organizations that you know and trust (AARP, Planned Parenthood, Teachers Federation, etc.) or independent local news sources or even the candidates own web site, to see how the candidates answer questions posed to them.  Also, attend rallies, debates, town hall meetings, fundraisers, meet-n-greets which are generally posted on the candidate's web site.  You can even call the campaign and ask to speak to a staffer, if you have specific questions. You'd be surprised the number of times you'll actually get the candidate on the phone talking to you about your issue!

Anna Foote - ATL Gal is a Native Atlantan, passionate about her Hometown and dedicated to insuring good leadership, humane public policy and community engagement in the political process. Visit her blog ATL GAL on the GO.

Sherri Caldwell – The Rebel Housewife will be voting in the Democratic Primary Election on May 20, 2014.  Whomever you support, the important thing is to be informed-- and VOTE.
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