Some Cobb County voters still awaiting absentee ballots as state launches investigation

COBB COUNTY, Ga. — The state election board is investigating after a lawsuit accused Cobb County of failing to send out absentee ballots on time.

Channel 2′s Michael Seiden was out in Cobb County where he learned the investigation comes as some voters are still waiting on their absentee ballots.

“Sometimes all you can do is shake your head,” Cobb County voter Mary Beth Kouts said.

Cobb County voters voiced their frustration after learning about the state’s investigation into the county’s handling of absentee ballots.

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Kouts told Channel 2 Action News that she considered herself one of the lucky ones.

“Didn’t receive it. Didn’t receive it. Didn’t receive it and finally, it came in Saturday’s mail,” she said.

The state’s investigation comes amid a lawsuit that accuses the department of failing to send out more than 3,400 absentee ballots on time for the runoff election.

Channel 2 Action News was in court Friday when the American Civil Liberties Union and the county board of elections reached an agreement that would allow absentee voters more time to send their ballots in.

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Officials in Cobb County said they were cooperating with the state’s investigation, but they also cited the Thanksgiving holiday, the record demand for absentee ballots and Senate Bill 202, which cut in half the time allowed between a general election and a runoff election, for the delays.

The investigation is the state’s second investigation into Cobb County.

The first one was launched after the county was accused of failing to mail absentee ballots in the general election.

Cobb County officials told Channel 2 Action News that they were cooperating and committed to reviewing and updating their processes and procedures. They also said they would incorporate any findings from the state review.

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