Georgia Absentee Voter Guide

Military and overseas voters should visit the Overseas Vote Foundation.  Long Distance Voter's forms and deadlines should only be used by voters with US mailing addresses.

Important deadlines

• Voter registration form: Postmarked by the fifth Monday before the election
• Absentee ballot application: Received by the close of business on the Friday before the election
• Absentee ballot due: Received by 7pm Election Day

How to vote by absentee ballot

Register to vote

Recommended: Use our Voter Registration Widget. Enter your information, print and sign the completed form, and mail it to the address printed on the form.  

You can also download Georgia's voter registration form.  Mail your completed form to your County Board of Registrar's Office.

Verify your voter registration

You should receive written confirmation that your voter registration was processed in 2-3 weeks.  Don't panic if you never receive your voter registration card: you don't actually need it to vote.  If you not sure if your registration was processed - or if you simply can't remember if you're register to vote - you can use the voter registration verification tools here.

Make sure you're eligible to vote by absentee ballot

Good news! Any registered Georgia voter may vote by absentee ballot.

Apply for your absentee ballot

You may apply for an absentee ballot as early as 180 days before an election.  To apply, download and complete the Georgia Absentee Ballot Application.  If you want the ballot mailed to you, be sure to include your mailing address in the space provided. 

If you're away at college, temporarily outside the county, or physically disabled, a relative can use the same form to request the ballot for you.  Just be sure to request your ballot before the deadline!

Mail, fax, or hand-deliver your completed application to your County Board of Registrar's office.  Once they process it, they'll mail your ballot to you.

Receive, complete and return your absentee ballot

Fill out your ballot, sign where indicated, put a stamp on it, and then mail your ballot back to your County Board of Registrar.  Be sure to meet the deadline or your ballot won't be counted!

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need to provide ID when I register to vote?

If you're a first-time Georgia voter and you register to vote by mail, you'll need to provide ID the first time you vote in person or by absentee ballot.  You can meet the voter ID requirements by including a copy of your ID with your voter registration form.  Acceptable forms of ID include a copy of a current and valid photo ID OR a copy of a current utility bill, bank statement, government check, paycheck, or other government document that shows your name and address. Military and overseas voters are exempt from this requirement.

Do I need to provide ID with my absentee ballot application? 

You do not need to provide ID if you've already voted in Georgia at least once.  If you are voting for the first time in Georgia, and you did not submit a copy of your ID when you registered to vote, include one of the following form of ID with your absentee ballot application: a copy of a current and valid photo ID OR a copy of a current utility bill, bank statement, government check, paycheck, or other government document that shows your name and address.

How often do I need to apply for an absentee ballot?

Unless you are in the military, disabled, or over 75, you'll need to submit a separate application every time you wish to vote by absentee ballot. If you are in the military, 75 or older, or physically disabled, you can use one Georgia Absente Ballot Application to request an absentee ballot for the Primary, Primary Runoff, Election and Election Runoff.  You'll need to submit a separate application for the Presidential Primary.

Additional Information