What Georgians Needs to Know About Absentee Ballot Requests

To: Georgia Press
From: Democratic Party of Georgia
Date: August 16, 2021
Re: What Your Audience Needs to Know About Absentee Ballot Requests

Today, Monday, August 16, is the first day Georgians can request an absentee ballot for the November elections across the state.

Below are details on this process and deadlines, which have changed since the 2020 election. We encourage you to share these new details with your audience as a public service announcement. Thank you for your commitment to ensuring Georgia voters have all of the information they need to make their voices heard!

Key points to convey:

• August 16 is the first day to request an absentee ballot for the November 2 elections. The last day to request a ballot is October 22, but voters should make their request as soon as possible to avoid delays.
• Georgians can find the absentee ballot request form on the Secretary of State’s website: https://sos.ga.gov/admin/uploads/Absentee_Ballot_Application_(2021)2.pdf
• You must include your Georgia Driver’s License number OR a DDS-issued ID number in your request. If you do not have one, you must include a copy of a valid ID.
• You may submit your absentee ballot request form to your county in person, by email, fax, or mail. The Secretary of State’s online portal is not currently active.
• If voters have any questions about the new timeline or process, they can call our Voter Protection Hotline for assistance at 888-730-5816.

Details on this year’s changes:

Timeline

• Monday, August 16 is the first day you can submit your absentee ballot request form.
  • You must submit your request to the county in which you are registered to vote. 
  • Any applications submitted before this date will be rejected.
• Friday, October 22 is the last day you can submit your absentee ballot request form.
  • This deadline is 11 days before the election, which is sooner than in past elections.
  • We strongly urge voters to not wait until the last minute to request your ballot.

Filling Out Your Request

• The form to request an absentee ballot is new this year, and includes changes from the one voters used in previous elections. 
  • You are required to include your Georgia Driver’s License number OR a DDS-issued ID number.
  • If you don’t have a Georgia Driver’s License or DDS-issued ID number, you must include a copy of a valid ID:
    • United States military identification card
    • Georgia voter identification card
    • United States Passport
    • Tribal identification card
    • Employee identification card issued by any branch, department, agency, or entity of the United States government, Georgia state government, or Georgia county, municipality, board, authority, or any other entity of the state of Georgia
    • Documents that show your name and address, like a current utility bill, paycheck, bank statement, or other government document
    • Government check
• You must sign the form with a pen.
• Ensure you are submitting the new 2021 form, and not an old version.
  • Some counties may not have removed links to the old form from their websites yet.

Submitting Your Request

• You can submit your absentee ballot request form to your county in person, by email, by fax, or by mail.
  • If you email your form, include “Absentee Ballot Request” in the subject line.
  • The Georgia Secretary of State’s online portal is not currently active.
• Voter assistance has not changed.
  • Physically disabled or illiterate voters may receive assistance to complete their form. 
  • Close family members may request an absentee ballot on behalf of a voter who is physically disabled, or who is temporarily residing outside of the county where they are registered to vote
• You must submit your request by Friday, October 22, 2021.
  • We strongly urge voters to submit your request as soon as possible.

Anyone who has questions about how to find, complete, or return the absentee ballot request form may call the Democratic Party of Georgia’s Voter Protection Hotline for assistance at 888-730-5816.

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