Emergency Absentee Ballots Allow Hospital Patients To Cast Votes

JOHNS CREEK, GA — Emory Johns Creek Hospital staff is helping patients who are unexpectedly admitted to the hospital on Election Day cast absentee ballots for the General Election on Tuesday.

“We’ve worked for months with the Board of Elections in DeKalb, Forsyth and Gwinnett counties to ensure our hospitalized patients can still cast a ballot,” said Maria Fernandez, Emory Johns Creek Hospital senior manager of patient relations.

“As a health care team, we want to support our patients to exercise their right to vote, even if they’re hospitalized or isolated because of COVID-19 or other illnesses,” Fernandez said.

Emergency absentee ballots allow patients who are eligible, registered voters to safely apply for and receive absentee ballots on Election Day.

On Election Day, the Board of Elections in various metro-Atlanta counties will deputize Emory Johns Creek Hospital staff, which authorizes them to deliver the secured and completed emergency absentee ballots to the appropriate County Board of Registrars by 7 p.m.

“Due to the COVID-19 pandemic and flu season, some individuals may find themselves unable to vote in person,” said Kristi Royston, elections supervisor for the Gwinnett County Board of Elections.

“We’re proud to partner with Emory Johns Creek Hospital during this historic election to help patients figure out how to vote, but not who to vote for – ensuring a non-partisan process,” said Susan Motter, member of the DeKalb County Board of Elections.

Hospital volunteers completed a training on election and ballot integrity by Shannon Clawson, statewide outreach director for the non-partisan group, The Equality Foundation of Georgia.