FAQ

The deadline to register to vote for the January 5, 2021 run-off election is December 7, 2020. Georgia offers online voter registration. You can also register by mail in Georgia by printing a voter registration form, filling it out, and mailing it to your local election office. You can also register to vote in person at the County Board of Registrar’s Office, 8700 Hospital Drive. Prior to December 7, 2020 you should check to make sure you are on the voting rolls by going to the Georgia My Voter Page.

IF THE VOTER REQUESTED AN ABSENTEE MAIL-IN BALLOT FOR THE GENERAL ELECTION AND USED IT AND IF THE VOTER IS OVER 65 YEARS OLD AND IF THE VOTER CHECKED THE BOX ASKING TO RECEIVE THE BALLOT FOR EVERY ELECTION, THEN THAT VOTER WILL AUTOMATICALLY RECEIVE A BALLOT FOR THE RUN-OFF.  EVERYONE ELSE WILL HAVE TO REQUEST THE BALLOT.

Georgia Law allows for absentee by mail ballots to be requested starting 180 days prior to an election but no later than January 2, 2021. Don’t Wait! Request your ballot early!

Georgia offers online requests for Absentee Ballots. You will need your driver’s license or State ID number.

You can also go to the Georgia Online Voter Registration website to print a form. These can be completed and returned by mail, fax, email (as an attachment), or in-person to the local County Board of Registrar’s Office.

Any registered Georgia voter may request an absentee ballot and vote absentee.

Ballots will be mailed out directly from the County Election Office in Douglas County as soon as possible.

Follow directions and make sure you complete each section of the oval shaped areas on the ballot correctly.

1. Fill in the ovals next to the candidates name you select completely. Do NOT make an X or other mark.
2. Sign and date the absentee ballot under Box 7. Sign your name exactly the way it appears on your Georgia driver’s license or state ID.
3. Place the ballot in the internal envelope marked “OFFICIAL ABSENTEE BALLOT: BALLOT MUST BE ENCLOSED.” Do not make any marks on this envelope. 
4. Insert the plain ballot envelope into the larger envelope addressed to the county registrar’s office.

If there is a problem with your ballot the county election’s office will contact you using the information you put on your absentee ballot application.

No

Yes, a physically disabled or illiterate elector may receive assistance in preparing his or her application/ballot. Any person of the elector’s choice EXCEPT the elector’s employer or agent of employer, officer or agent of elector’s union, candidate on the ballot or family member of candidate, unless disabled/illiterate elector is related to candidate.

You must sign the application yourself.  There is a section of the applications for the individual that is assisting you with the application/ballot. The person assisting you must sign the application in the designated area.

As of today, all absentee ballots must be received in the office of the county registrar no later than 7 p.m. on Election Day, January 5, 2021.

The county registrar can start counting ballots on election day, January 5, 2021. The count is public and witnessed by both parties.

Don’t Wait! Vote Early!

There are 6 drop box locations:

1. Front of the courthouse, to the right of the bike rack – 8700 Hospital Drive.
2. Outside the Registration office on the 1st floor – 8700 Hospital Drive.
3. Boundary Water Aquatic Center – 5000 Highway 92.
4. Dog River Library – 6100 Highway 5.
5. Deer Lick Park – 2105 Mack Rd.
6. Old Courthouse – 6754 Church Street.

Yes, they are in secured locations. Security cameras record all activity. The boxes are cemented to the ground and are locked. Ballots are collected by the County every day.

Once you have submitted your ballot, wait a day or two and check the status of your ballot on the Secretary of State’s My Voter Page.

If your ballot was rejected contact your county registrar to get more information and find out what your options are, it may be something simple to correct. By sending it in early you will have time if any questions arise.

Every effort is being made to reduce wait times and make voting easy. Additional polling places have been added; the County Registrar’s office continues to recruit more poll workers; and students from area high schools and colleges are will be assisting at polling places.

Voting for the Run-off Election starts on Monday, December 14.

December 14 – December 30

All locations and dates below 8:30 a.m. – 6 p.m., Weekdays only

December 23 and 30 – 8:30 a.m. – Noon

All precincts closed
December 24 & December 25
December 31 & January 1

Saturday Voting  – December 19 (ONE DAY ONLY) 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the following locations:

• Courthouse, 8700 Hospital Drive
• Boundary Water Aquatic Center, 5000 Highway 92
• Dog River Library – 6100 Highway 5.
• Deer Lick Park – 2105 Mack Rd.
• Old Courthouse – 6754 Church Street.

Election Day, January 5, 2021 – LAST DAY TO VOTE 7 a.m. – 7 p.m.

• Vote at the designated polling location for your precinct.

Find your voting location on the Georgia My Voter Page.

There are several ways to get to know candidates and make informed choices.

• Research their website to learn what is on their platform
• Attend an in-person or Zoom event to find out where they stand on issues important to you.
• Volunteer for their campaign to get a better understanding of who they are and how they operate.
• Ask questions, your vote is just that important!

1. If running against a Republican Incumbent and no other Democrat has filed a Declaration Of Intent (DOI), candidate can speak at meetings and distribute campaign materials.
2. If running against a Republican Incumbent and other Democrats have filed a DOI in race, any of the candidates can speak but no debates, rebuttals or disparaging remarks against the other Democrats in the race.  Materials can be distributed with permission from the Chair.
3. If running against a Democratic Incumbent, candidates can NOT speak until after official Qualification Date with exception #5 (if qualified by Party).  No materials or signs distributed at meeting.
4. If Special Election (No Primary), Democratic candidates can speak and distribute materials any time after filing DOI.
5. Democratic Incumbents and Candidates who have previously qualified after 2012, and whose qualifications have not been challenged, as Democrats to run for office on the Georgia Democratic ticket or been elected at any Democratic Party level, in Georgia, are allowed to speak at any time.

RULES AFTER QUALIFYING PERIOD

Candidates who qualify can speak but no debates or rebuttals unless that is the program format.  Materials may be distributed. 

Please direct all questions on this matter to the Chair at: chair@dcdems.org.