Voter Stories
Voter Stories
Hear From Voters Like You
During the 2018 election season, tens of thousands of Georgia voters called into hotlines to report problems, concerns, or challenges they faced while trying to exercise their fundamental right to vote. These are just some of their stories:
I am a U.S. citizen and was born in New York. Both of my parents and all of my grandparents were also born in the United States. I went to vote on November 6, 2018 at my polling place in DeKalb County, but was told by a poll worker that they could not confirm that I was a U.S. citizen. At the time, I had three different forms of ID: my drivers license from Massachusetts, my U.S. passport card and my Emory University ID. I was not allowed to vote with a regular ballot. I was forced to vote with a provisional ballot but was not provided with a receipt nor told that I needed to follow up on my ballot. Instead, I was assured that my vote would be counted.
When I visited the DeKalb County voter registration office on November 9, as required, the representative first told me she couldn’t help me because I didn’t have the documents or receipt that I was supposed to have been given when I completed my provisional ballot. I then asked her to check on my citizenship status, and gave her my forms of ID. She took a photocopy of my U.S. passport card and said I was all set. As of November 12, to the best of my knowledge, my registration had not been cleared, nor had my provisional ballot been counted.
When I visited the DeKalb County voter registration office on November 9, as required, the representative first told me she couldn’t help me because I didn’t have the documents or receipt that I was supposed to have been given when I completed my provisional ballot. I then asked her to check on my citizenship status, and gave her my forms of ID. She took a photocopy of my U.S. passport card and said I was all set. As of November 12, to the best of my knowledge, my registration had not been cleared, nor had my provisional ballot been counted.
Phoebe
DEKALB COUNTY
I planned to vote before work on November 6, 2018 at the Webster County EMS Building. I gave my ID to poll worker to scan an she informed me that I was Registered in Muskogee County and was supposed to be voting in Columbus. I have never lived in Muskogee County or Columbus. The address that the poll worker said was coming up in her system for me was incorrect. I was told that I could not vote in Webster County and I was not offered a Provisional Ballot. Columbus is a 45 minute drive and I had to report to work so I was unable to drive there to vote at that time and I didn’t finish working on November 6, 2018 until 10:00pm.
Dasia
FULTON COUNTY
I have lived at the same address in Fulton County since April 1991, paying state taxes. I have not moved. I have not changed my address. Although I am not a regular voter, I believe I voted for Obama in 2012, and I am certain that I voted in the Presidential election in 2008.
On Election Day, I went to my designated polling location. The elections officials told me that they could not find me on the registered voter rolls. The poll workers searched their print outs as well as their digital database and were unable to find my voter registration.
The elections staff was friendly and provided additional information on the issue. A supervisor informed me that if I had not voted in the last 10 years, I was likely “scrubbed” from the voter registration rolls. It was troubling that the staff did not have any record that I had ever voted. They should at least know that I am a resident of the area and formerly registered to vote.
I was given a provisional ballot. I cannot remember if they offered the provisional ballot or if I requested it. I believe I am registered as a Democrat. The precinct and polling location is highly Democratic, I question if this had something to with being removed from the rolls.
On Election Day, I went to my designated polling location. The elections officials told me that they could not find me on the registered voter rolls. The poll workers searched their print outs as well as their digital database and were unable to find my voter registration.
The elections staff was friendly and provided additional information on the issue. A supervisor informed me that if I had not voted in the last 10 years, I was likely “scrubbed” from the voter registration rolls. It was troubling that the staff did not have any record that I had ever voted. They should at least know that I am a resident of the area and formerly registered to vote.
I was given a provisional ballot. I cannot remember if they offered the provisional ballot or if I requested it. I believe I am registered as a Democrat. The precinct and polling location is highly Democratic, I question if this had something to with being removed from the rolls.
Jamie
FULTON COUNTY
In 2016 I registered to vote and my polling location was “Anderson Living.” At a later point, I received a letter notification that my new polling location was “Annistown Baptist.” I then received a second letter stating that my polling location was switched back to “Anderson Living.” A few days before Election Day I received a 3rd and final letter that my polling location would be at “Lenora Church.”
On Election Day in 2016, I ended up voting at Lenora Church. Between the presidential and this election, I did not receive a notice that the polling location changed. On Election Day this year, I went to “Lenora Church” and I stood in line for 2 hours to vote.
When I got to the front the elections officials scanned my ID and I was told I needed to vote at “Anderson Living Elementary School.” I explained that I voted at this location in 2016 and that I have a special needs daughter and I cannot go to the other polling location, especially not after waiting 2 hours. After requesting a provisional ballot, they allowed me to vote provisionally.
On Election Day in 2016, I ended up voting at Lenora Church. Between the presidential and this election, I did not receive a notice that the polling location changed. On Election Day this year, I went to “Lenora Church” and I stood in line for 2 hours to vote.
When I got to the front the elections officials scanned my ID and I was told I needed to vote at “Anderson Living Elementary School.” I explained that I voted at this location in 2016 and that I have a special needs daughter and I cannot go to the other polling location, especially not after waiting 2 hours. After requesting a provisional ballot, they allowed me to vote provisionally.
Talisha
GWINNETT COUNTY