DeKalb Voter Registration and Elections Urges Residents to Verify Voter Status and Plan for Upcoming Election

VRE Executive Director Keisha Smith: ‘Inactive Status Does Not Mean Ineligible to Vote’

DeKalb County Voter Registration and Elections (DeKalb VRE) encourages residents to verify their voter status and make a plan to vote for the upcoming election. This call to action comes in response to an increase in voters’ registration statuses being classified as “inactive” following a recent countywide mailing of precinct cards to all registered voters.

Precinct cards were sent out in April. For voters whose precinct cards were returned by the US Postal Service as “not deliverable,” a Returned Mail Confirmation Notice was subsequently mailed by the Georgia Secretary of State’s vendor, KnowInk, in July 2024. Under Georgia law, recipients must return this confirmation notice within 30 days to retain their active voter registration status. Failure to do so results in the voter being classified as "inactive" until they update their voter registration online, contact DeKalb VRE, or vote in an election.

“We understand that seeing an ‘inactive’ voter registration status can be confusing and alarming,” said Keisha Smith, executive director of DeKalb County Voter Registration and Elections. “However, I want to assure voters that an ‘inactive’ status does not mean they are ineligible to vote in this election. We appreciate our residents’ diligence in checking their voter registration status and swiftly addressing any issues.”

Voters can return to an active voter status by visiting the Secretary of State’s My Voter Page, contacting DeKalb VRE directly at 404-298-4020, or casting a ballot in the upcoming election. Election officials urge any voter who believes they were classified as inactive in error to contact the VRE office immediately.

“DeKalb VRE is committed to ensuring all DeKalb County voters are aware of these notices and know how to maintain their active voter status,” Smith added. “While our office is not responsible for changes in voter status, we are here to help resolve any issues. We are actively processing updates to voter registrations that are received by VRE, and we encourage any resident with concerns about their voter registration status to reach out so we can coordinate with the Secretary of State to correct any discrepancies.”

Residents can address this issue by following the steps outlined below. For more information, visit www.DeKalbVotes.com.

How to Change an Inactive Voter Registration Status to Active:

• Visit the Georgia My Voter Page: https://mvp.sos.ga.gov/s/
• Contact DeKalb VRE for additional instructions: 404-298-4020
• Cast a ballot in the upcoming election (bring proper ID)

For any additional questions, voter updates and reminders, visit www.DeKalbVotes.com or call DeKalb County Voter Registration and Elections at (404) 298-4020.