The Sierra Club Georgia Chapter wants to make sure you have everything you need to cast your ballot safely and securely in November’s General Election. To help you, we’ve put together this helpful FAQ about the election, absentee ballots, and more!
Have a question not addressed here? Send us an email and we’ll help you find the answer!
When is the General Election?
November 3, 2020
What are the other key dates for this election?
October 5, 2020 - Deadline to be registered to vote in the General Election
October 12, 2020 - In-person early voting for the General Election is scheduled to start
October 30, 2020 - Last day of early voting
December 1, 2020 - Scheduled date for runoffs for state and local offices
January 5, 2021 - Scheduled date for runoffs for federal offices
How do I register to vote?
Click here to register to vote for the first time. Many local government facilities (county election offices, public libraries, etc.) have paper voter registration forms on hand, but be sure to check their hours as some government facilities have closed or have reduced hours due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
How do I check my voter registration?
Go to Georgia’s My Voter Page website to check or update your voter registration. Given Georgia’s history with purging voter rolls, it’s a good idea to check your registration regularly. And remember, the deadline to be registered for the General Election is October 5.
What is an absentee ballot?
An absentee ballot is a paper ballot sent to voters to fill out and return by mail. Any eligible voter in Georgia can ask for one without needing to provide a reason or excuse why they can’t vote in person.
How do I request an absentee ballot?
Eligible voters must fill out an absentee ballot application and send it to their county’s election officials. This can be done online or via mail. Click here to request an absentee ballot online. If you’d like to request a ballot by mail, click here to find the absentee ballot application and a link to locate your local elections office. You can mail your ballot application to your local elections office or, in some locations, email it to your elections officials. The ACLU of Georgia has some helpful guides for submitting your absentee ballot application.
Do I need to send in a new absentee ballot application if I voted absentee in the June Primary Election?
YES! Voting absentee in one election does not mean the state will automatically send you absentee ballots for future elections. There are some exceptions for senior citizens and disabled voters, but for the most part, a new application is required each new election.
When am I allowed to ask for an absentee ballot?
Right now! The state allows voters to ask for a ballot up to 180 days before an election, which means ballot applications are being accepted now.
How do I return an absentee ballot?
Once you receive your ballot and fill it out, you can either return it by mail (requires two first class stamps) or drop it off in person at your local elections office. Some county elections officials have set up secure ballot drop boxes for voters to turn in their ballots. Here's a helpful list of ballot drop boxes sorted by county. Again, the ACLU of Georgia has a great guide for filling out and returning an absentee ballot.
When should I return an absentee ballot?
As soon as possible! If you are mailing an absentee ballot to your elections office, we strongly urge you to mail the ballot at least two weeks before Election Day, or October 20. This should provide enough of time for your ballot to be delivered to your county election office.
Can I check to see if my absentee ballot was received?
Yes! Go to Georgia's My Voter Page website and sign in. In the bottom left section titled “Absentee Ballot Request Information," there is a link you can click titled “Click here for Absentee Ballot status," where you can check whether or not your ballot was received or not. You can also track your ballot at this link and sign up to receive alerts when the status of your ballot changes.
I want to vote early. Where can I find those locations?
Early voting begins on October 12. You can find early voting locations by county here. You can also check your local county elections office website for locations and times. Cobb, DeKalb, Forsyth, Fulton, and Gwinnett counties have helpful maps that show wait times at their early voting locations in real time, so pick the time and place that works best for your schedule. The last day of early voting is October 30. And don't forget your mask!
What if I experience problems trying to vote?
Some voters are reporting waiting up to 11 hours to vote in person this year, particularly in communities of color and low-income areas. Between reductions in polling places, voter ID requirements, signature matching policies, and more, state officials have not made voting in Georgia as easy as it needs to be. If you are experiencing problems trying to cast your ballot, call the Georgia Voter Protection Line at 1-888-730-5816 to report the issue and get help.
What if I plan on voting on Election Day?
Prepare yourself for potentially long lines at your polling place. Click here to access Georgia's My Voter Page website and sign in to find your Election Day polling place. Be sure to bring a valid photo ID that shows your signature, picture, and address when you are voting in person. Acceptable forms include driver’s licenses, passports, U.S. military IDs, or tribal IDs.
How can I sign up to work as a poll worker on Election Day?
The U.S. Elections Assistance Commission has a helpful webpage where folks can find their local elections office and sign up to be a poll worker. If you are young and healthy, consider signing up to help on Election Day. More poll workers means more polling places with a full staff, which can help reduce lines on Election Day. Poll workers are paid for working on Election Day and for the time spent in training.
Anything else I can do to help?
If you've already voted and want to help others cast their ballots, Atlanta Magazine has a great list of ways folks can volunteer to help voters, from delivering food and water to driving voters to the polls.