The deadline to register to vote is Oct. 9, about one month before the general election on Nov. 6.

According to the Georgia Secretary of State website, the voter registration deadline for the general election/special election on Nov. 6, and the general election runoff/special election runoff on Dec. 4, is Tuesday, Oct. 9, due to Columbus Day falling on Monday, Oct. 8.

Georgia state law [O.C.G.A. 21-2-224 (a)] reads, “if any person whose name is not on the list of registered electors maintained by the Secretary of State under this article desires to vote at any general primary, general election, or presidential preference primary, such person shall make application as provided in this article by the close of business on the fifth Monday or, if such Monday is a legal holiday, by the close of business on the following business day prior to the date of such general primary, general election, or presidential preference primary.”

To be qualified to register to vote, applicants must be a U.S. citizen, live in the county they vote in, and be at least 17½ years old. Registered voters must be 18 years old to vote.

To register in Walker County, visit the Walker County Board of Elections and Registration office in room 110, at 103 S. Duke Street (inside the Walker County Courthouse) in LaFayette. Office hours are from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday. Please note, cell phones are not permitted inside the courthouse. Residents can also call the county Board of Elections and Registration at 706-638-4349 to have an application mailed to them. Or they can register to vote when receiving a driver’s license or can pick up an application at government service centers, city halls or senior centers, according to walkercountyelections.com. Residents can also ask for a voter registration application when applying for a library card at any Walker County public library.

To register in Catoosa County, visit the Catoosa County board of elections and registration office at 7658 Nashville St. in Ringgold. Office hours are 8 a.m. to noon and 1-5 p.m., Monday through Friday. Residents can also call the office at 706-935-3990 to have an application mailed to them. Prospective voters can also go to the Georgia Secretary of State website at sos.ga.gov to register, either on-line or to print out a mail-in application. Catoosa County voters can also go to the county's website at catoosa.com/depts/elections for more information. County residents can also register when receiving a driver's license or can pick up an application at the Catoosa County Library or Department of Family and Children's Services office.