Canton Election Guide 2021: Deadlines, Candidates, How To Vote

CANTON, GA — The Nov. 2 election is quickly approaching in Canton, and voters have already begun submitting absentee ballots through early voting locations, mail and drop boxes. This year, voters will decide on races for City Council.

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

Who's Running

The following people will be on the ballot in Canton:

• Ward 1 - Sandra McGrew
• Ward 2 - Will Carlan
• Ward 3 - Dwayne A. Waterman

Dates

• Friday, Oct. 29: Final day of advanced (absentee in-person) voting for the November General Municipal and Special Election
• Nov. 2: November General Municipal and Special Election

Early Voting

Early Voting ends at 7 p.m. on Friday, Oct. 29. Locations in Canton can be found online.

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

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

Absentee Ballots

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.

Absentee ballots must be received by your local County Board of Registrar's Office by the time polls close on Election Day at 7 p.m. in order to be counted.

Election Day

The polls will be open for the Nov. 2 General Election from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. You can verify your precinct and polling location by visiting the Secretary of State Poll Locator. 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.

What's on the Ballot

Sample ballots

are now online for Cherokee County.

In Canton, voters will decide on an Ed-SPLOST, or Special Local Option Sales Tax for Education.

The wording of the ballot question is available on sample ballots found at mvp.sos.ga.

For more information, visit mvp.sos.ga.