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1. What is an absentee ballot and who can get one?

An absentee ballot is a paper ballot sent to you in the mail. You will complete it at home and return it to our office by the specified date and time. Any registered voter can request to have an absentee ballot sent to the address on their voter registration or to a temporary address if they will be away on election day.  Visit accgov.com/absenteevoting for more information.

2. How do I get an absentee ballot?

You must complete an application for an absentee ballot, either online or by mailing an application to our office. You can request an absentee ballot up to 78 days before an election. 

For more information about applying for an absentee ballot please go to accgov.com/absenteevoting.

3. What will I receive with my absentee ballot?

Voters who have requested an absentee ballot by mail will receive a package with four things inside:

1. Absentee Ballot
2. Instructions for filling out and returning the ballot
3. "Official Absentee Ballot" inner privacy envelope or paper sleeve
4. Return envelope

The Elections Office will accept ballots that do not include the privacy envelope or paper sleeve.

4. How do I fill out the Absentee Ballot by Mail?

1. Select voting choices on the Absentee Ballot. Use a blue or black pen to completely fill in the oval next to your choice. DO NOT USE check marks, circles, or Xs.
2. Fold the ballot and place it inside the “Official Absentee Ballot” privacy envelope or paper privacy sleeve.
3. Place the privacy envelope or sleeve with the ballot inside into the outer return envelope, complete the information on the back of the outer return envelope, and sign your name in the appropriate spot. 
4. Return it to the Athens-Clarke County Elections Office no later than 7:00 p.m. on election day, either by mail, or by using the official secure drop box during early voting hours located at the Elections Office at 155 East Washington Street, Athens, GA 30601.

5. I mailed in my absentee ballot without the privacy envelope/sleeve. Will my vote still count?

Yes. The Elections Office will accept ballots that do not include the privacy envelope or paper privacy sleeve. 

6. I've applied for an absentee ballot. Can I pick up my ballot in person?

No. Official ballots must be sent through the United States Postal Service to the address you provided on your absentee ballot application.

7. What if I decide I want to vote in person and don't want to use the absentee ballot I requested?

If you decide not to use the absentee ballot you've requested, that's ok. Bring the unvoted ballot with you to an early voting location or to your precinct on election day. A poll worker will ask you to sign an affidavit, take the absentee ballot from you, and cancel it. You will then be allowed to vote in person.

If you have not received the absentee ballot you requested or did not bring it with you, check the correct box on the affidavit. The absentee ballot will be cancelled by the poll worker and you will be allowed to vote in person.

If our records show that your absentee ballot has been returned to us, you have already cast a ballot for that election and cannot vote in person. 

8. How do I return my voted absentee ballot?

You have options to return your absentee ballot:

• Attach sufficient postage and return the ballot by mail.
• Bring the ballot to the Board of Elections office at 155 E. Washington Street, Athens, GA 30601 and hand deliver it to an elections clerk.
• Deposit your ballot into the secure drop box located inside our office at 155 E. Washington Street. The box is available for use only during early voting hours for each election.