The primary will decide which candidate gets Georgia delegates to the Republican and Democratic national conventions, to be held in July and August, respectively.

That’s not to be confused with our state’s primary to select party candidates for state and county offices in the Nov. 5 general election. The primary for those offices is also on March 12 this year.

Here’s what you need to know about the 2024 election calendar in Georgia:

Presidential Primary

Georgia has 16 electoral votes at stake in the 2024 presidential election. We decide our preferences on March 12.

Our state has an open primary to select delegates to the national conventions.

A resident can vote in Georgia regardless of party affiliation. Registration does not extend an opportunity to affiliate with a party, and voters cannot change affiliation online through a registration portal.

Who can vote in Georgia?

• A person who is a citizen of the U.S.
• A person who is a legal resident of their county.
• A person who is at least age 17 1/2 to register and age 18 to vote.
• A person who is not serving a sentence for conviction of a felony involving moral turpitude.
• A person who has not been found mentally incompetent by a judge.

Voters must be registered to vote by Feb. 12. Registration can take place online via the Secretary of State’s Office or by downloading a printable application.

To vote online, residents must have a valid driver’s license or identification card issued by the Georgia Department of Driver Services.

The deadline to request an absentee ballot is March 1. Voters can request an absentee ballot online through the SOS office or by downloading a printable application. Completed ballots must be submitted to the elections office by 7 p.m. Election Day.

State Primary Election

The state-run primary election to select Republican and Democratic candidates for down-ballot races takes place in the general election on Nov. 5. Again, this is a primary open to all registered voters.

Among the key races are presidential, Supreme Court judges and congressional. Other state and local races to be decided include public service commissioner and appellate court judges.

The deadline to register to vote in the state primary is Oct. 7. The procedures to request a ballot are the same as in the primary.

The deadline to request an absentee ballot is Oct. 25 following the same protocol as in the primary.

General Election, Nov. 5

The general election ballot in Georgia will be certified on Sept. 16, and early voting begins on Oct. 15.