Georgia LGBT Voter Guide & Reasons To Speak Out Countdown

The General Election on Nov. 4 will reveal who Georgia voters select as our next governor, U.S. senator, attorney general and much, much more. These are choices that could determine the fate of the LGBT community’s rights for years to come.

Here’s a list of key dates, links to vital voter information and a countdown to election day that also doubles as a list of reasons the LGBT community needs to vote come Nov. 4.

It’s time to Speak Out!

Important Dates

Voter Registration Deadline: Monday, Oct. 6, 2014

Early Voting Begins: Monday, Oct. 13, 2014

Early Voting Ends: Friday, Oct. 31, 2014

Election Day: Tuesday, Nov. 4, 2014

Resources

Georgia My Voter Page (Check your registration status, early voting times and locations, your election day poll location, a sample ballot and more.)

Request an Absentee Ballot Application

Georgia Voter ID Requirements

Georgia Equality’s Transgender Voter ID Toolkit

speaking outCountdown To Election Day – Reasons To Speak Out

Oct. 14: Reason #21

There are no statewide or nationwide laws that prevent people from being fired due to their sexual orientation or gender identity.

Oct. 15: Reason #20

The current governor and attorney general have pledged to vigorously defend the state constitution that prevents same-sex couples from getting married in Georgia.

Oct. 16: Reason #19

Georgia is one of only five states without a hate crime law.

Oct. 17: Reason #18

The State of Georgia has refused to apply for over $2.2 million in HIV prevention funds for high risk high school students.

Oct. 18: Reason #17

Too many transgender people are afraid to use a public restroom.

Oct. 19: Reason #16

HIV infection rates are at an all-time high among gay and bisexual men in Georgia.

Oct. 20: Reason #15

Under the current administration, grants earmarked to address domestic violence within the LGBT community were canceled.

Oct. 21: Reason #14

LGBT Georgians are more likely to be uninsured or underinsured. Medicaid expansion would solve many problems.

Oct. 22: Reason #13

There are no openly gay elected officials in the state senate or any statewide office.

Oct. 23: Reason #12

There is still no statewide law protecting LGBT students from harassment and bullying in schools.

Oct. 24: Reason #11

The LGBT community is being targeted by legislation in Georgia that would allow people and businesses to deny services due to their personal religious beliefs.

Oct. 25: Reason #10

LGBT communities of color have high rates of profiling and police harassment.

Oct. 26: Reason #9

LGBT students are still disproportionately represented in the school to prison pipeline and the juvenile justice system.

Oct. 27: Reason #8

There is still no inclusive curriculum for LGBT students – our history and contributions to this state are being erased.

Oct. 28: Reason #7

Same sex couples who are married in Georgia must fill out five extra forms to do their taxes.

Oct. 29: Reason #6

Homeless shelters and emergency services are still woefully unprepared to work with LGBT clients, and many trans people in particular face violence in our homeless shelters.

Oct. 30: Reason #5

Transgender and gender non-conforming Georgians face extra barriers in voting with strict photo ID laws. An estimated 4,400 trans voters will be denied a ballot this year in Georgia.

Oct. 31: Reason #4

Closing the coverage gap by expanding Medicaid would help thousands of Georgians.

Nov. 1: Reason #3

There are no adoption protections for same-sex families in Georgia—our families can be torn apart on the whim of a judge.

Nov. 2: Reason #2

The LGBT vote has the strongest impact on election outcomes on the local level. Roughly 250,000 votes separated the winner and loser in the 2010 gubernatorial election and there were approximately 300,000 LGBT Georgians.

Nov. 3: Reason #1

It is our right and responsibility!