Decatur Voter Guide 2021: Deadlines, Candidates, How To Vote

DECATUR — The Nov. 2 election is quickly approaching in Decatur, and voters have already begun submitting absentee ballots through early voting locations, mail and drop boxes. This year, Decatur voters will decide on races for City Commission and the Board of Education.

Hans Utz qualified to run for the Board of Education District 1, Post A seat and for District 2, Post A the candidates are Carmen Sulton and Dan Baskerville. Incumbents Lewis Jones (District 1) and Heather Tell (District 2) are not running for reelection.

Decatur City Board of Education At-Large member, Jana Johnson-Davis, is the only City Schools of Decatur incumbent to qualify for re-election. She’s running unopposed.

Here's some information to help you prepare for Election Day in Decatur.

Dates

• October 29, 2021: Final day of advanced (absentee in-person) voting for the November General Municipal and Special Election
• November 2, 2021: November General Municipal and Special Election
• November 19, 2021: Last day to submit absentee ballot application for the November General Municipal and Special Election Runoff

ID Requirements

To vote in person or apply for an absentee ballot, you will need to show ID. There are six acceptable forms of photo ID:

• Georgia Driver's License, even if expired
• Valid ID issued by any state or the Federal Government
• Valid employee ID issued by the Federal Government, the State of Georgia, or a county, city, or other government entity of Georgia
• Valid US passport
• Valid US military ID
• Valid tribal ID

If you are applying for an absentee ballot or you are a first-time registrant by mail who has not already provided a photo ID, there are five more forms of ID you can use:

• Current utility bill
• Bank statement
• Government check
• Paycheck
• Other government document

If you do not have an acceptable photo ID, you can get one free of charge from the Department of Driver Services or 4380 Memorial Drive. You must provide:

• A photo identity document or approved non-photo identity document that includes your full legal name and date of birth
• Documentation showing your date of birth
• Evidence that you are a registered voter
• Documentation showing your name and residential address

For more information about Georgia's ID requirements, visit the Secretary of State's page.

Election Day

Polls will be open from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Election Day, Nov. 2. If you are in line by 7 p.m., you are allowed to cast your ballot.

On Election Day, you must vote at your designated polling place. You can find your assigned polling location on your voter registration card, by logging into the Secretary of State's My Voter Page, or by contacting your County Board of Registrar's Office.

When you get to your polling place, show your photo ID to the poll worker. A poll worker will check your photo ID, verify that you are registered and at the correct polling location, issue you a voter access card or ballot, whichever is applicable, and allow you to vote. Learn how to vote at polling places in Georgia.

On Election Day, voters must vote at their designated precinct. Here’s a 2021 Election Day Precinct List.

Absentee Ballots

All absentee ballots must be received by the DeKalb County Department of Registration and Elections by 7 p.m. on Election Day. Residents can return their absentee ballot by mail or in one of the DeKalb County Absentee Ballot Drop Boxes. Absentee ballots may be obtained from the DeKalb County voter registration office at 4380 Memorial Dr., Decatur, GA 30032 (404-298-4020).

Absentee voting will be different this year with Georgia’s new voting law. Last year, the State Election Board allowed local election offices to set up secure absentee drop boxes as long as there was around-the-clock video surveillance. But starting this year, drop boxes must be located inside the county's election office or early voting locations.

Candidate Questionnaires:

• Candidate Profile: Kelly Walsh For Decatur City Commission
• Candidate Profile: Dan Baskerville For Decatur Board Of Education