GA VBM Guide

Requesting a Mail-In Ballot and Voting by Mail in Georgia

Deadline to Request a Mail-In Ballot:
For December 1, 2020 State Runoff: November 27, at 5:00PM
For January 5, 2021 Federal Runoff: January 1 at 5:00PM*
Deadline to Submit a Mail-In Ballot:
For December 1, 2020 State Runoff: Received by December 1 at 7:00PM
For January 5, 2021 Federal Runoff: Received by January 5 at 7:00PM

Georgia provides that ballot submission must be by the end of the business day on Friday before Election Day. Check with county election officials regarding observance of New Year’s Day.

How can voters request a mail-in ballot?

Go Online – They can visit https://ballotrequest.sos.ga.gov/.

Submit a Ballot Request Form – They can mail, fax, hand deliver, or email a scanned copy of this form to their County Board of Registrar’s Office.¹
**Paper forms must be signed by the voter.

Submit a Written Request – Voters can submit a written request to their county registrar or absentee ballot clerk with the following information:²

Name
Registration address
Date of birth
Type of election (e.g., general federal runoff)
Date of election (e.g., January 5, 2021)
Signature and date of request

Find each County Recorder’s contact information at https://elections.sos.ga.gov/Elections/countyregistrars.do

This resource provides information from the chief election official of Georgia regarding absentee voting: https://sos.ga.gov/admin/files/Absentee_Voting_A_Guide_for_Registered

_Voters_2020.pdf . Among other things, this resource addresses such potential scenarios as what to do if a ballot is lost, voting in person after an absentee ballot is requested, and pre-printed applications.

¹ GA Sec. State: Absentee Voting in Georgia; Georgia.gov on Absentee Voting
² GA Absentee Voter Guide at 4.

Can you assist voters in requesting a ballot?

Yes. Absentee ballot applications may be returned in bundle, including by organizations providing applications. Voters using an absentee ballot application provided by an individual or organization must still sign and verify the truth of the content of the application.³

In addition, there is no prohibition on assistance in completing the absentee ballot application provided that the voter personally signs the application, affirming that the information is true and correct. They can be returned by fax, by mail, or in person.

If the voter is physically disabled, a family member may request an absentee ballot on the voter’s behalf upon satisfactory proof of relationship. In this case, the relative must sign an oath stating that the facts in the application, including their relationship to the voter, are true.⁴

How can voters return a marked ballot?

Voters can submit their marked ballots by

U.S. first class mail (note, the voter must affix postage to the ballot envelope);
Hand delivery to the county registrar, including via an official dropbox⁵

Can you assist voters in returning a marked ballot?

Generally the voter must personally mail or deliver their own ballot. Assistance with return is only permitted on a limited basis: so long as the marked ballot is sealed in its envelope and marked, any family member (as defined by Georgia law) – or person living in the same household – of the voter can bring it to the county registrar or absentee
ballot clerk.⁶

The absentee ballot of a physically disabled voter may be mailed or delivered by a family member (as defined by statute), or also by a caregiver.

Additional information may be found at the following website: https://georgia.gov/vote-absentee-ballot

Fair Elections Center and Campus Vote Project intend the information contained herein to be used only as a general guide. This document should not be used as a substitute for consultation with a licensed Georgia legal professional.

Last updated October 2020

For more information, visit
www.fairelectionscenter.org

³ GA Absentee Voter Guide at 8-9.
⁴ GA Absentee Voter Guide at 4, 7.
⁵ GA Absentee Voter Guide at 4, 7.
⁶ GA Code § 21-2-385(a)

If you have questions or are experiencing problems voting, call the Election Protection Hotline and speak with a volunteer to get help.

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