Early Voting In Georgia 2021: What To Know For Fall Elections

GEORGIA — Election Day is less than a month away in Georgia, which means it's time for the early voting period to begin.

In-person early voting in our state begins Tuesday and runs through Oct. 29, the Friday before Election Day. Unlike voting on actual Election Day, you do not have to vote at an assigned polling location during the early voting period, but you still must vote at an early voting location within your county.

Key dates to know for this fall's elections:

• Oct. 11: Earliest day for a registrar to mail an absentee ballot.
• Oct. 12: Advanced (absentee in-person) voting begins.
• Oct. 16: Mandatory Saturday voting.
• Oct. 17: Optional Sunday voting.
• Oct. 22: Last day to submit an absentee ballot application for the November election.
• Oct. 23: Mandatory Saturday voting.
• Oct. 24: Optional Sunday voting.
• Oct. 29: Last day to vote early in person.
• Nov. 2: Election Day.

Where and when can I vote early in person?

Under Georgia's latest voting law, Senate Bill 202, early voting hours are mandatory from 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Monday through Friday, as well as two mandatory Saturday voting days; however, county registrars are allowed to keep the 7 a.m.-7 p.m. hours if they wish. Election Day voting hours did not change and are still 7 a.m.-7 p.m.

Find available early voting locations by visiting the Georgia Secretary of State's website and selecting your county of residence from the list. You can also visit the My Voter Page to see available locations, or contact your county registrar.

You do not have to vote early at your assigned Election Day polling place, but you do have to vote at an early voting location within your county of residence.

What do I need to bring to vote early?

When you get to your chosen early voting location, you'll need to have a valid photo ID, such as a driver's license, passport or voter identification card.

Polling locations also offer audio ballots for voters who are blind or have low vision, and booths for voters in wheelchairs are available. If you need help with your ballot, you can have a friend or family member come with you to the polls and fill in the ballot with your choices.

What if I can't vote early in person?

If you can't vote in person for whatever reason on Election Day or during the early voting period, you still have time to request an absentee ballot application to vote by mail. You can do so online, by email, by mail, by fax or in person: here's how to submit an application.

The deadline to submit an application to vote by mail is Oct. 22, and it's important to return the application as soon as possible, according to the Georgia Secretary of State's office.

If you do not receive your ballot after submitting your application, contact your county registrar to figure out your options. If there's not enough time to receive a new absentee ballot, or if you cannot have another sent to you for some reason, you may vote in person — you'll just have to fill out a document attesting that you're only voting once.

If you request and return an absentee ballot, you cannot change your mind and vote in person, according to the Georgia SOS. Once you return your absentee ballot, you have voted.