Georgia recently canceled almost 471,000 voter registrations, one of the largest removals of voters in U.S. history. The state says it removed names of people who appear to have moved away, died, or not voted for many years. Georgia law requires this review every two years.
The process started with nearly 478,000 names, but about 5,500 people were able to keep their registration by responding to state letters or updating their information online. Election officials argue that these cancellations keep Georgia’s voter lists “clean” and prevent possible fraud. Supporters say this builds trust in elections. But voting rights groups warn that eligible voters are sometimes removed by mistake, especially people who haven’t voted in recent elections but still live in Georgia. Canceled voters cannot vote again unless they re-register at least 29 days before an election.
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People with disabilities may be at higher risk of removal because they may vote less often due to barriers such as lack of transportation, inaccessible polling places, or health challenges. Georgia’s “use it or lose it” law cancels registrations after about 10 years of no activity, which disproportionately affects disabled voters who may not participate in every election. Re-registering requires time, technology, and physical access. Many disabled voters face limited internet access, difficulty navigating inaccessible websites or other barriers to visiting county offices. Cancellations may silence voters with disabilities who already face systemic barriers to civic participation. Once removed, people may miss deadlines and lose their chance to vote in upcoming elections. Disabled voters may require a variety of accommodations, like large print or plain language notices. If the state’s notifications are not accessible, some may never realize they’ve been canceled until it’s too late.
Bottom Line: While Georgia says the cancellations keep records accurate, they also put thousands of eligible voters—including people with disabilities—at risk of losing their right to vote unless they actively re-register and stay engaged.
Here’s what you can do:
Check your registration at www.mvp.sos.ga.gov
If you received a letter regarding your voter status contact your local board of elections. Find your local board https://mvp.sos.ga.gov/s/county-election-offices
If you have received notice that your voter registration has been cancelled, click below to download a sample letter to send your local board of elections to challenge your cancellation.
GAO is here to ensure eligible voters with disabilities can vote privately, independently, and with accommodations as needed. If you believe your voter registration has been cancelled in error, and you are unable to resolve this issue with your local board of elections please contact us (link/email/phone number).