ATLANTA — Are you planning to vote in the 2026 election with an absentee ballot? You’re running out of time to request one if you haven’t already.
Friday is the Georgia deadline to request absentee ballots from your county registrar.
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Georgia law requires that your county’s election office must receive your ballot application request 11 days before any election, whether it’s for the primary, general or runoff. The 2026 election is scheduled for Nov. 3, meaning Oct. 23 is the last day you can request one.
You must request an absentee ballot in order to receive one in the mail.
If you miss the deadline to request a ballot, you can still vote in person during early voting or on Election Day.
Here’s what you need to know.
How do you request an absentee ballot?
To vote via absentee ballot, you must first be registered to vote. You can check your voter registration status on the Secretary of State’s Office website.
In Georgia, people voting by mail do not need to provide a reason for voting absentee. Any voter is allowed to request a ballot by mail.
You can click here to download the application.
How do you submit an absentee ballot once it’s filled out?
Georgia voters can submit their ballots online or by email, mail, fax, or submit in person. You must sign the ballot with an ink pen and submit an acceptable ID such as your driver’s license or state-issued ID card.
If you don’t either, you must provide a copy or photo of one of the following:
- United States Passport
- Georgia voter identification card
- Other valid photo identification card issued by a branch, department, agency, or entity of the State of Georgia, any other state, or the United States authorized by law to issue personal identification • United States military identification card
- Employee identification card issued by any branch, department, agency, or entity of the United States government, Georgia state government, or Georgia county, municipality, board, authority, or any other entity of the state of Georgia
- Tribal identification card
- Any of the following documents that show your name and address: Current utility bill; bank statement; paycheck; government check; other government document
Mail your completed ballot. All absentee ballots must arrive at your county election office by Election Day.
Click here for more instructions on how to submit your ballot.
How can you track your absentee ballot?
Verify that your ballot was accepted by visiting the Georgia My Voter Page. Log in and look for the section labeled “Absentee Ballot Request Information” to learn more about your absentee ballot status.
If your ballot was rejected, your county elections office will contact you with a document to “cure” or correct your ballot envelope.
Information from the State of Georgia
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