Civic Ladder
Civic Ladder · GA

Georgia civic guide

The laws and deadlines that matter when you want to change something in Georgia: how to get public records, how public meetings work, and how to vote.

Your 2026 election

General election: Tuesday, November 3, 2026.

Register by
Online Oct 5 · Mail postmarked Oct 5 · In person Oct 5
Same-day registration
No
Early voting
Oct 12 or 13 – Oct 30 (check your county)
Statewide ballot measures
3 on the ballot
  • Raise acreage limit for conservation-use property tax treatment to 4,000
  • Require nonpartisan elections for probate judges
  • Allow a dedicated fund for 9-1-1 emergency systems
See every measure on the official list ↗

Titles as listed by official sources. Read the full text and the official summary before you vote.

🗳️ Make my voting planOfficial election site ↗

Public records

Anyone can ask a government agency for copies of its records. You usually don't have to say why.

Law
Georgia Open Records Act
Citation
O.C.G.A. § 50-18-70 et seq.
First response deadline
Reasonable time, not to exceed 3 business days (records not ready by then need a description and timeline)
Write a records request for Georgia →

Open meetings

Most government boards must meet in public and post notice ahead of time.

Law
Georgia Open Meetings Act
Citation
O.C.G.A. § 50-14-1 et seq.

Recording conversations

One-party consent (O.C.G.A. § 16-11-62, -66). Hidden video of people in private places without consent is illegal.

This is about recording conversations. Recording officials in public is a separate question that courts decide case by case.

More to know

Pre-registration age (sign up before 18)
17½ (within 6 months of turning 18)
Ballot initiatives
No statewide citizen initiative. Change goes through the legislature.

What's bugging you in Georgia?

Pick an issue and we'll show you who handles it and help you write to them.

Start on Civic Ladder →Learn the skills

Sources

General civic information, not legal advice. Laws and deadlines change; confirm with the official office. Election details as researched 2026-10-17.