Georgia Secretary of State Brian Kemp today reminded high school principals, parents and eligible students that April is High School Voter Registration Month in Georgia. High schools are encouraged to hold voter registration drives and make registration materials available to eligible students.

“Registering to vote is the first step toward becoming an active citizen in your community, our state and our country,” Secretary Kemp said.

To register to vote in Georgia, you must be a citizen of the United States; a legal resident of Georgia and of the county in which you plan to vote; and at least 17 ½ years old. You may not register to vote if you are currently serving any sentence imposed by the conviction of a felony or judicially determined to be mentally incompetent.

Under Georgia law, high school principals and assistant principals are voter registrars tasked with informing students and employees of the availability of voter registration at the school; providing reasonable and convenient registration procedures; and attending voter registration training.

County registrars will be reaching out to local schools to provide them with the necessary materials and instructions for carrying out their voter registration duties.

School personnel can visit www.sos.ga.gov/electionconnection to order supplies, download promotional materials and learn about the photo identification requirement for in-person voting.

Brian Kemp was sworn in as Secretary of State in January 2010. Among the office’s wide-ranging responsibilities, the Secretary of State is charged with conducting efficient and secure elections, the registration of corporations, and the regulation of securities and professional license holders. The office also oversees the Georgia Archives and the Capitol Museum.