Request your ballot today to allow turnaround time
by Robin Kemp
If you want to vote by paper absentee/advance ballot in your November 2 municipal election, today is the last day to safely request that ballot. The deadline is Friday, October 22, but you need to leave enough time for your request to be filled.
Here is a copy of the form you need to fill out to make your request:
Fill out your request, then either print it out and take it to the Clayton County Elections and Registration Office in the Historic Courthouse, 121 S. McDonough Street, in downtown Jonesboro. You also can fax it to (770) 477-4521 or send it as an e-mail attachment to elections@claytoncountyga.gov to ensure same-day receipt.
To vote early/absentee/advance, you can either go in person to the advance polling places. If you want to deposit your paper early/absentee/advance ballot in the secure ballot box, you now have to go inside the polling place and deposit it while the polling place is open. SB 202, which the Georgia Assembly passed this spring, changed Georgia election laws and one of those changes was the end to outside ballot drop boxes.
Keep in mind:
- In Jonesboro and Morrow, the county is managing the physical elections process. Contact the Clayton County Elections and Registration office if you have questions.
- In Forest Park, the city is managing the physical elections process. Contact the Forest Park City Clerk’s office if you have questions.
- Lake City and Lovejoy are not holding elections this year due to lack of challengers.
- Contact College Park for election information in your county.
Worst-case scenarios
If you don’t get your absentee ballot in time, you can still vote in person on Election Day.
If you change your mind and want to vote in person, or if you make a mistake on your paper ballot, bring your paper absentee ballot to the polls with you on Election Day.
If there is any question about whether you are eligible to vote, ask for a provisional ballot at the polling place, then fix the issue within three days of voting. Otherwise, your ballot will not count.
More information
If you have any questions, call the Clayton County Elections and Registration Office at (770) 477-3372.
