• Step 1: Submit your application.  
  
  • Apply online at securemyabsenteeballot.sos.ga.gov or by accessing My Voter Page.
  • Even though you can enter your information online to fill out the form you’ll still need to print and sign your application by hand before submitting. No printer at home? Most libraries and UPS stores can print for a small fee, or you can contact your county elections office to request a paper application.
• Step 2: Confirm your application was accepted.  
  
  • Log into My Voter Page and check under “Absentee Ballot Portal.”
  • You can also sign up for email, text, or phone alerts under “Ballot Tracking Notifications” to be notified automatically.
• Step 3: Return your completed ballot.  
  
  • Once your ballot arrives, complete it by hand and return it in person to a ballot return location or mail it back. It must be received by your county by 7pm on Election Day. Earlier is always better.

Voter Tip: If you have any questions about the status of your application, or if you have not yet received your ballot, contact your county elections office as soon as possible or call or text the Election Protection Hotline at 866-OUR-VOTE (866-687-8683) for assistance.

‍Got Questions? We’ve Got Answers.

What if I don’t have a printer?

You must physically sign your mail ballot application, so it needs to be printed. If you don’t have access to a printer (you should be able to print at your local library, UPS store, etc., for a fee!), contact your county elections office for assistance. They may be able to send a paper application to you or have them available for pickup.

What if I still haven’t received my ballot?

Check My Voter Page to confirm your application was accepted. If there’s a problem, contact your county elections office right away. In the meantime, you can always vote in person during early voting or on Election Day. Tell election staff that you requested a mail ballot but did not receive it and want to vote in person, they can cancel your mail ballot and allow you to vote in person.

What if I have a disability, live overseas, am in the military, or I’m 65 or older? Do I have to apply for every election?

No. You can submit one application to receive a mail ballot for the full election cycle — that covers the Primary, Primary Runoff, General, and General Runoff. On the application, check both boxes in Section 12 and provide your reason code. If you do not meet the above criteria, you are required to request a mail ballot for each election.

Voter Tip: Special elections require a separate application. You can find additional resources and learn more about what accommodations are available at Voting Assistance for People with Disabilities (Georgia Secretary of State).

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What if there’s an issue with my application?

Contact your county elections office as soon as possible.

What if I am in the military or living outside the county?

The Uniformed and Overseas Citizens Absentee Voting Act (UOCAVA) allows for a uniformed service member, spouse or dependent of a uniformed service member, or other U.S. citizen residing overseas to vote remotely. Visit the Federal Voting Assistance Program website or contact your county election office for more information.

When your mail ballot arrives, it will include instructions. Read them carefully before you start marking anything.‍

A few reminders to make sure your vote counts:

• Use a black or blue ink pen. No pencils.
• Fill in the oval completely. Don’t use a check mark or an “X.” Scanners only read fully-filled ovals.
• Don’t overvote. You’re only allowed to vote for one candidate per office that is up for election. Unless your ballot states otherwise, you can only fill in one oval per office up for election. If you fill in more than one, your vote won’t be counted.
• Don’t write in a candidate already listed. Write-in lines are for candidates not on the ballot.
• Check every page. Some ballots are multi-page. Flip through and make sure you’ve reviewed every race before sealing your ballot.

What if I made a mistake or lost my ballot?

Contact your county elections office to request a replacement. If time is tight, you can skip the mail ballot and vote in person during early voting or on Election Day instead.

Can I change my mind and vote in person instead?

If you haven’t returned your ballot, you can vote early in person or at your assigned voting location on Election Day. Election staff can cancel your mail ballot and allow you to vote in person. If you still have your mail ballot, bring it with you.

You have three options. Because your county must receive it by 7pm on Election Day, we recommend returning it as early as possible. ‍

• ‍Option 1: Drop it off at a ballot return location near you. Find your ballot drop off location.
• ‍Option 2: Bring it in person to your county elections office before 7pm on Election Day.‍
• Option 3: Mail it to your county elections office at least 7 days before Election Day to ensure it arrives on time.

What if I’m worried my ballot won’t arrive in time, or I want to vote in person instead?

You can always vote in person during early voting — as long as you have not returned the mail ballot you requested or received.

• You’ll need to let a poll worker know that you requested/received a mail ballot but want to vote in person. If you have your mail ballot, bring it with you to speed up the process. Election staff can cancel your mail ballot and allow you to vote in person.

If it is Election Day and your ballot is not marked as “ACCEPTED” on My Voter Page, you can go to your assigned Election Day voting location.

• You’ll need to let the poll worker know that your mail ballot was not accepted and that you want to vote in person. Be sure to look up your Election Day voting location on My Voter Page.

Can someone else return my ballot for me?

The following people can return your ballot on your behalf:

• Your spouse, parent, child, grandparent, grandchild, sibling, aunt, uncle, niece, nephew, in-laws (son, daughter, mother, father, brother, or sister-in-law), or anyone else living in your household.
• Disabled voters may also receive assistance from a caregiver, and the caregiver can return the ballot even if they do not live with the voter.

What if there’s a problem with my ballot?

Check My Voter Page immediately. If your ballot doesn’t show a received date or doesn’t say “Accepted,” contact your county elections office right away.

After returning your ballot, check My Voter Page to confirm that your ballot was received and marked “ACCEPTED.”

If your ballot is not marked as “ACCEPTED” by Election Day, you can go to your assigned Election Day voting location, listed on My Voter Page. You’ll need to let the poll worker know your mail ballot was not accepted and that you want to vote in person.

If you have questions about how or when to return your ballot, contact your county elections office for assistance.

Voter Tip: You can log into My Voter Page with your name, county, and birthdate to set up Ballot Tracking Notifications.

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