Frequently Asked Questions

You may request an absentee ballot as early as 78 days before a primary or election but no later than 11 days prior to a primary or election. Absentee ballots should be received prior to 7:00 p.m. on election day. No absentee ballots are issued on election day. You may submit an absentee ballot application (PDF) by mail or fax it to your county board of registrars' office. The application must be the designated form on the Secretary of States website or Laurens County Board of Registrars website with the reason for voting by absentee ballot, sufficient information to identify you as a voter, and the election in which you wish to vote. If you are physically disabled or living temporarily outside your county of residence, a  relative as stipulated in code O.C.G.A 21-2-385 may apply for an absentee ballot for you.

Uniformed & Overseas Citizens Absentee Voting Act

Applications for absentee ballots by uniformed or overseas voters (pursuant to the Uniformed and Overseas Citizens Absentee Voting Act) can be accepted more than 180 days prior to a primary or election in which a federal candidate appears on the ballot as well as for any runoffs resulting therefrom including presidential preference primaries for two general elections.

A physically disabled or illiterate voter may receive assistance from another voter in the same county or municipality or from the same category of relatives who can make an application for or deliver an absentee ballot (PDF). If the voter is outside of the county or municipality, then a notary public can provide such assistance. Any person who assists another person to vote absentee must complete an oath prescribed by law demonstrating the statutory disability and that the ballot was completed as the voter desired. A candidate on the ballot, or a relative of a candidate on the ballot, may not offer assistance during the election to any voter.

An application for an absentee ballot cannot be physically attached to a publication that advocates for or against a particular candidate, issue, etc. and distributed by any person, entity, or organization.