Voting by Mail in Georgia? Start Here.
Today, I got asked to help some friends figure out how to vote by mail, and I can see why they have questions. There’s an application to send, more than one deadline to remember, and two envelopes to complete when you return your ballot. If you’re sorting through it yourself, or helping a parent, friend, or neighbor, I thought it would be useful to walk through the steps. Our Georgia Vote by Mail guide walks you through the full process, but here are some highlights.
Who Can Vote by Mail in Georgia?
If you’re registered to vote in Georgia, you qualify to vote by mail.
That’s it. You don’t need a reason. Georgia calls it absentee voting, and any registered voter can request an absentee ballot and return it by mail.
The details matter, so check the official absentee voting information before you apply.
How to Request Your Ballot by October 23
Start your application on the Secretary of State’s absentee ballot site, or print the paper application. Fill it out. Sign it by hand, in ink. Then submit it online, by email, by mail, by fax, or in person at your County Board of Registrars’ office. They need it in hand by Friday, October 23.
Cutting it close? Skip the mail. You can submit online, or email or fax a signed, scanned copy instead. There’s a catch, though. Even online, you still have to print the application, sign it by hand, and upload a photo or scan of it.
When you fill it out, enter your Georgia driver’s license or state ID number. Don’t have either? Check the box and include a copy of an acceptable ID. Add your phone number or email, too, so your county can reach you quickly if there’s a problem with your application.
Not sure how your county handles it? Ask your County Board of Registrars about office hours and delivery options.
How to Complete Your Mail Ballot and Envelopes
Before you seal it, check it.
Follow the instructions included with your ballot to mark your choices. Then put everything together:
Put your completed ballot in the ballot envelope labeled “Official Absentee Ballot” and seal it.
Put that envelope inside the carrier envelope, the outer envelope you’ll return.
Fill in your date of birth and your Georgia driver’s license or state ID number on the carrier envelope’s flap. It’s easy to overlook.
Seal the carrier envelope and sign where indicated.
Not sure which ID number to use? If you don’t have a Georgia driver’s license or state ID, write the last four digits of your Social Security number. If you don’t have any of those, include a copy of an acceptable ID in the outer envelope. The instructions in your ballot packet explain what to provide.
One more thing: a missing signature is one of the most common reasons an absentee ballot gets rejected. Check for it before you seal.
When Does Your Mail Ballot Need to Arrive?
Got your ballot filled out? Send it back right away. The mail takes time, so give it a head start.
Here’s how the deadline works for an absentee ballot returned from inside the U.S.:
Mailing it? Your county needs it by 7 p.m. on Tuesday, November 3. In Georgia, the postmark doesn’t matter. If it arrives late, it won’t count.
Returning it yourself? You can deliver it by hand to your county registrar’s office. If you have a disability, someone in your household or your caregiver can return it for you.
Military or overseas voter? Your rules may be different. If you mail your ballot by Election Day, it still counts as long as it arrives within three days.
Quick mailing tip: Mailing your ballot by Election Day isn’t enough in Georgia. It has to arrive by then. If Election Day is less than a week away, return it in person instead. Contact your County Registrar’s office for drop off locations. Once it’s back, log in to the Georgia My Voter Page and look for “Absentee Ballot Request Information” to check its status.
Have questions about returning your ballot, getting help, or voting in person instead? Read our full Georgia Vote by Mail guide.