What do I need to vote absentee (also known as voting by mail)?

To vote absentee, you’ll need to request a ballot. You can request your ballot online here - you will need your driver's license number or state ID number.

If you prefer, you can also download the form online, and either mail it in to your local elections office (Gwinnett; Forsyth) or email it to your County Registrar (Gwinnett; Forsyth).

For Instructions on how to fill in your ballot, click here

I have my ballot, how do I fill it in?

Once you get your ballot in the mail, fill it out. Use a pen and fill in the ovals completely! Do not use a check-mark or draw a circle outside the ovals.

With your ballot you will receive two envelopes. Place the ballot in the inner envelope, a white one with the words “Official Absentee Ballot, Ballot Must Be Enclosed” on it. Then take this envelope and place it in the larger envelope that has your county’s elections office on it. Write your return address on the top left hand corner where indicated. Then fill out the oath on the back of the envelope. Be sure to sign it. Then seal the envelope.

You can return the envelope one of two ways. Before October 23, you can mail it to the address on the return envelope (Gwinnett; Forsyth), and be sure to use a stamp. Or you can take it to one of the dropbox locations near you by 7p on election day, November 3rd. We recommend returning it ASAP so you can check if it has been counted.

What is a dropbox and where are they?

Dropboxes are places you can personally deliver your ballot to by 7p on Election Day, November 3rd, and they will be counted. They are secure and monitored. We highly recommend dropping your ballot in a dropbox.

For a map of dropbox locations, click here.

Can I vote absentee for any reason?

Yes, in Georgia anyone can request an absentee ballot.

If I voted in the primary, will they mail me a ballot again?

Only if you are over 65 or requested it because of a disability.

How can I be sure that, if I vote absentee, my ballot will be counted?

Vote early. We recommend returning your ballot to a dropbox or to one of the Early Vote locations in person, then checking its status on the Secretary of State’s My Voter Page to ensure it was received.

What do I do if I have an absentee ballot, but decide I want to vote in person?

If you have the ballot, you may take the absentee ballot to your polling location on Election Day, or an Advance in Person location while they are in operation, turn the ballot in to the poll manager, and vote in person.

If the ballot has been mailed, but has not been received at the Voter Registrations and Elections Office, the voter must complete an Affidavit of Lost Ballot stating that the original ballot was not received or has been misplaced. The poll manager will contact the Elections Office for confirmation and voter will be allowed to vote in person at the Election Day polling location or Advance in Person location while they are in operation.

If the ballot has been received and accepted by the Voter Registrations and Elections Office, the ballot cannot be canceled.

Can I trust the post office?

We recommend returning your ballot to a dropbox or early vote location. But if you mail it back by October 23, you should have time to verify that your vote was recorded.

What if I don’t get my ballot?

Make a plan to vote early in-person.

Where can I take my completed ballot?

You can take your ballot to a dropbox or to one of the early vote locations and turn it in there.

Can I help someone else fill out their ballot?

If the voter cannot read English or if they are disabled, someone may help them fill out the ballot but cannot vote for them. The person assisting must indicate on the ballot their name, date, and the reason they are assisting.

Can I absentee vote online?

No. You can request an absentee ballot online, and it will be mailed to you.

What’s the difference between absentee voting and vote by mail?

There is only one process to vote absentee/by mail in Georgia and there is no difference. Different groups use different terms.

Is absentee voting safe? Will my vote be counted?

Absentee voting is safe, especially for immuno-compromised individuals who are worried about voting in-person during COVID. We recommend requesting your absentee ballot as soon as possible, returning it as soon as possible, and verifying your vote before October 24 so that you can still vote early if needed.

Do I have to pay for postage?

Yes, you have to pay for postage on the return envelope.