Operation Registration:
Register for the Runoff
NOTE: This page is for reference ONLY. Information may be outdated.
This page has been updated for the January 2021 runoff election in Georgia.
Quick Links:
FAQs
The Absentee Ballot Voting Process
Q: Do you have to be a “shut-in” or out of town to qualify for an absentee ballot?
Answer: No. Absentee voting is available to all who are registered. No excuse is required. All you need do is make the request to the Secretary of State’s office. The last official day to apply is the Friday before the election (December 31, 2020), but the later you apply the less likely it is that you’ll receive a ballot in time to vote. Some believe that applying for an absentee ballot any time after November 30th is a waste of time because it’s unlikely that the requested ballot will arrive in a timely manner.
Q: Once you request an Absentee Ballot, can you change your mind and vote in person?
Answer: Yes, but it will take some extra time. When the poll worker checks you in on the computer, he or she can see whether you’ve been issued/sent an Absentee Ballot. If the system indicates an Absentee Ballot was mailed (doesn’t matter whether you have received it or not), you will either (A) Need to bring the unused ballot with you and turn it in. The poll worker will keep and spoil the ballot. You will then be permitted to vote on the machine. OR (B) If you do not bring your ballot, you will be required to sign an affidavit that you have not voted. Then the Poll manager will call the Voters Election office to verify that you have not voted. Once that’s verified, you will then be allowed to vote on the machine. Bottom line, if you go to a poll location you can always vote although it will take a few extra steps.
A friendly reminder: Return the ballot as soon as possible by mail (USPS) or by placing it in one of those designated Official Absentee Ballot Drop Boxes in your county. Ballots must be in that drop box or at the elections office by 7:00PM on January 5, 2021 or they won’t be counted. We recommend that you use the Drop Box instead of the U.S. Post Office if you are returning your ballot after December 25th.
Q: When should I send my absentee ballot in?
Answer: Return the ballot as soon as possible by mail (USPS) or by placing it in one of those designated Official Absentee Ballot Drop Boxes. Ballots must be in a drop box or arrive at the elections office by 7:00PM on January 5th or they won’t be counted.
The In-Person Voting Process
Q: How likely is it that my polling place in January will be in a different location than November?
Answer: It’s a definite possibility so everyone…Everywhere should check before leaving home. https://www.mvp.sos.ga.gov/
Q: What form(s) of Photo ID are acceptable at a polling place?
Answer: Any one of those listed below.
- A Georgia driver’s license, even if expired
- A photo ID issued by a state or federal government agency
- A valid U.S. passport
- An employee ID card containing your photograph and issued by any branch, department, agency, or entity of the U.S. government, Georgia, or any county, municipality, board, authority, or other entity of Georgia
- A valid U.S. military ID card
Q: What if you are a registered voter and either you didn’t bring the required ID or the poll worker questions your eligibility?
Answer: Ask to vote using a Provisional Ballot (it’s your right) and afterward, depending on the situation, follow the steps described in the link below.
Q: How will the COVID-19 pandemic affect operations at the polling places?
Answer: Voters will be required to remain at least 6 feet apart, and they are encouraged to wear face masks. Poll workers are required to have face masks or shields. It is recommended that voters consider bringing hand sanitizer for use after touching surfaces like door handles, voting machines, and ink pens; things that lots of other people may also touch.
Q: How have COVID-19 and the new voting machines changed things at the precincts?
Answer: Click the link below and have a look. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OSdhCIa33PM
Q: Are there any special concessions for the disabled or people of a "certain age"?
Answer: Yes, if the “certain age” is 75 or more. Between the hours of 9:30 am and 4:30 pm on the day of an election, voters who are 75 years of age or older or who are physically disabled may, upon request to a poll officer, vote immediately without waiting in line.
Q: What hours and days is Early Voting available?
Answer: Fulton County offers early voting from December 14 through December 31 with one day of Saturday voting (12/26). See the link to find locations near you. https://elections.sos.ga.gov/Elections/advancedVotingInfo.do
EARLY VOTING INFO
Fulton County Early Voting
Locations & Schedule
Fulton County Early Voting
Mobile Voter Bus Schedule
2020 Vote Countdown
October 5th: Voter registration deadline to be eligible to vote in the November general election and any special election runoff for local and state offices.
October 12th: First day of early voting for the November general election and special elections (Except 5th Congressional District)
October 24th: Mandatory Saturday voting for the November general election and special election
October 30th: Last day of early voting for the November 3rd general election and special election. deadline to request an absentee ballot for the November 3rd general election and special election
November 3rd: General election and special election. Absentee ballots must be received by 7:00 PM
Absentee Ballot Process
With distribution of absentee ballots set to start in mid-November, the application process began the moment this Special Election was scheduled. You can go online to apply https://ballotrequest.sos.ga.gov/ or check the status of your application https://www.mvp.sos.ga.gov/
Ballots may be returned through the U.S. Mail, or taken to one of the secure Official Absentee Ballot Drop Boxes in your county where they are collected at least once a day. The sooner you return the completed ballot, the better.
- When voting (and afterwards) carefully follow the directions when filling out your ballot using black or blue ink only. Be careful to place it in the proper envelope. Take extra-special care when placing the Ballot Envelope into the Mailing envelope provided, making sure that you fill out and sign that mailing envelope exactly as instructed. The state is required to compare the signature on that mailing envelope with the signature on your state ID. Improperly submitted ballots will NOT be counted.
- Again, send the ballot in as soon as possible.
- For added security when using one of the secure designated drop boxes, deposit your ballot during normal business hours.
After December 26th, we recommend using the Drop Box instead of USPS.
OFFICIAL ABSENTEE BALLOT DROP-BOX SITES IN METRO ATLANTA
Fulton County
Click for Locations: Web | PDF | Interactive Map
Clayton County
Clayton County Board of Elections & Registration – 121 S. McDonough Street, Annex II Jonesboro, GA 30236
Side of Courthouse near Handicap Parking
Cobb County
Click for Locations
DeKalb County
Click for Locations
Douglas County
Click for Locations
Fayette County
Fayette County Administrative Complex near Heritage Park Fountain – 140 Stonewall Ave W, Ste 208 Fayetteville, GA 30214
Fayette County Administrative Complex near Heritage Park Fountain – 140 Stonewall Ave W, Ste 208 Fayetteville, GA 30214
Peachtree City Public Library (back of building on ground floor) – 201 Willowbend Road Peachtree City, GA 30269
Tyrone Police Department – 945 Senoia Road Tyrone, GA 30290
Brooks Town Hall – 961 Highway 85 Connector Brooks Brooks, GA 30205
Gwinnett County
Click for Locations
Henry County
Henry County Elections and Registration Office – 40 Atlanta St. McDonough, GA 30253