The COVID-19 pandemic has impacted not only our daily and work lives, but also our elections.
Originally, Georgia’s presidential primary election day was scheduled for Tuesday, March 24, and the election primary day for state and municipal candidates had been schedules for May 19th. The Secretary of State has now scheduled both primary election days to Tuesday June 9, 2020.
Below are frequently asked questions regarding voting by mail in Georgia.
ELECTION DAY
Q: When is the presidential primary election day?
A: The presidential primary election is on Tuesday, June 9, 2020.
Q: When is the primary election day for state and some municipal officials?
A: The state primary election is also on Tuesday, June 9, 2020.
THE PRESIDENTIAL PRIMARY
Q: I already voted in the presidential primary that was originally scheduled for March 24. Can I still get a ballot for the state and municipal election?
A: YES! If you already voted in the presidential primary, you can still vote in the state and municipal primary election.
Q: How do I get a ballot to vote by mail in the state and municipal primary election?
A: Go to acluga.org/apply for instructions.
Q: Does the ACLU of Georgia have instructions to help me fill out this application for a vote by mail ballot?
A: YES! Go to acluga.org/apply for easy-to-follow instructions.
Q: I’m a registered voter. How do I get a mail-in absentee ballot application?
A: Go to acluga.org/apply for easy-to-follow instructions.
VOTER ID
Q: Does Georgia require Voter ID WHEN I VOTE BY MAIL?
A: If you have voted in Georgia before, the answer is NO.
If this is your FIRST TIME voting in GEORGIA? YES
See instructions below.
IMPORTANT INSTRUCTIONS FOR FIRST TIME VOTERSIf you are a first time Georgia voter who registered by mail, i.e., not online, you will need to enclose a copy of ID. If you are submitting this form by mail and you are registering for the first time in Georgia, you are required to submit proof of residence either with this form OR when you vote for the first time. Proof of residence includes one of the following:
For a list of government approved identifications to vote, go to acluga.org/VoterID. If you need help with this process, please contact us at voting@acluga.org |
Q. Does Georgia require Voter ID when I vote in person?
A: YES.
VOTING MY POLITICAL PARTY
Q: When I vote by mail, how do make sure that I receive the political party ballot I want?
A: The mail-in absentee ballot application requires you to place a checkmark indicating the ballot you want: Democratic, Republican, OR nonpartisan.
SENDING IN YOUR APPLICATION FOR A MAIL-IN ABSENTEE BALLOT
Q: How do I send in my application for my mail-in absentee ballot?
A: There are TWO ways to send in your application: email and U.S. Postal Service
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To send by email (free of charge)
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To send by mail (requires a 55¢ First-Class postage stamp)
If you downloaded an application from the Secretary of State’s website, do the following:
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HOW TO FILL OUT YOUR MAIL-IN BALLOT FOR THE PRIMARY 2020 ELECTION
1. Where is the inner envelope referred to in the instructions included with my ballot?
This is a mistake, because the Georgia Secretary of State’s office only included a white sheet of paper rather than an envelope. The white piece of paper is referred to as a “privacy sleeve” and has these words on it: “OFFICIAL ABSENTEE BALLOT, BALLOT MUST BE ENCLOSED.”
Here is what to do.
After you vote your ballot, take the privacy sleeve -- the white sheet of paper labeled “OFFICIAL ABSENTEE BALLOT, BALLOT MUST BE ENCLOSED” -- and fold it in half.
- Insert your ballot into the folded privacy sleeve [white sheet of paper].
- Leave the sleeve folded WITHOUT STAPLES, TAPE, GLUE, OR OTHER ADHESIVE.
Take the privacy sleeve [folded white sheet of paper] with your ballot inside of it and place it into the envelope that has a yellow bar on it and has been pre-addressed to your county board of registrar.
2. If I have already requested and received my absentee ballot, can I still vote in person?
Yes. If you have already requested and received your absentee ballot, as long as you do not vote your absentee ballot you may still vote in person.
Take your absentee ballot with you when you vote in person so the poll worker can “cancel” the absentee ballot and allow you to vote. If you forget to take the ballot with you, you may still be allowed to vote in person after signing an “affidavit” stating that you have not yet voted.
3. Why does my ballot say May 19 and not June 9? Isn’t this the June 9 primary?
The reason the date listed at the top of your ballot may be “May 19” instead of “June 9” is simply because some of the ballots were already printed before the date of the primary was changed from May 19 to June 9. Your ballot will be counted for the June 9 election.
4. Why is the Presidential Preference Primary race not included on my ballot?
If you already cast a ballot in the Presidential Preference Primary, whether by early voting in person or by absentee ballot, that ballot will be counted in the June 9th election.
Your current ballot should include only the General Primary races for the party you chose.
5. How many stamps do I need?
Place two stamps on the envelope. Use either two First Class or two Forever stamps ($0.55 each)
6. Can I return the ballot to a ballot dropbox or the county elections office, instead of mailing it back?
Yes. Three people are allowed to return your ballot: yourself, a family member, or a caretaker if you are disabled. Contact your County Elections Office for more information on options to vote your absentee ballot outside of mailing the ballot.
7. Can a voter give their completed ballot to a volunteer?
No.
8. How can I check the status of my absentee ballot, to see if it has been received yet?
To locate that information, go to My Voter Page. Locate the words MVP Login. Fill out the boxes with * next to it. Click submit. The status of your absentee ballot will be displayed on the left hand side of the page.