Absentee Voting by Mail

 

Absentee voting by mail is an easy and convenient way to vote in any election.  All eligible voters may request and vote an absentee ballot by the mail without specifying a reason for their absence from the polling place on Election Day.  If you will be away from Habersham County on Election Day, are unable to go to the polls, or simply want to cast your ballot early, you may vote an absentee ballot by mail.

Applications for absentee ballots by mail can be accepted for an election up to 78 days prior to that election. You must file a separate application for each election for which you are requesting an absentee ballot.  (*See exceptions below for voters 65+, disabled voters, or military/overseas citizens). If you are applying for a primary ballot, you must designate a political party on the application. In a General Election no party is required. If you are physically disabled or are living temporarily outside of your county of residence, a close relative may apply for an absentee ballot for you.

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Military and Overseas Voters

Voters under the Uniformed and Overseas Citizens Absentee Voting Act (UOCAVA), 42 U.S.C. Section may find more information and apply at fvap.gov

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Printed applications may be returned to our office in the following way: 

Mail or hand-deliver to:
Habersham County Elections & Registration Office
403 Habersham County Shopping Center (down from Belk & Pizza Hut)
Cornelia, Georgia 30531
Fax:
706-754-5836
Or scan and email to:
lellison@habershamga.com

PLEASE COMPLETE BOTH SIDES AND SIGN THE APPLICATION BEFORE YOU RETURN IT.

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Special Provisions for 65+, Disabled, or Military/Overseas:

Georgia law does not require a reason to vote an absentee ballot; however, the law does extend special privileges to voters who provide certain reasons.  These reasons benefit voters who use them when they apply for absentee ballots and make absentee voting even more convenient.

Voters who indicate the reason of 65+, Disabled, Military/Overseas on the absentee request/application are eligible to submit one annual absentee ballot application that will be used for all elections in the calendar year.  These voters must indicate the desire to receive all ballots when submitting the application; otherwise, a separate application must be submitted for each election. Voters who qualify for 65+, Disabled, Military/Overseas status need to reapply each Calendar Year.

Military/Overseas

If you qualify as a UOCAVA voter, you will be required to mark your current status as one of the below reasons:

• MOS - Military Overseas
• MST - Military Stateside
• OST - Overseas Temporary Resident
• OSP - Overseas Permanent Resident (federal offices only on OSP Status)

Only UOCAVA Voters , may request to receive absentee ballot by electronic transmission. UOCAVA Voters that choose to receive an Absentee Ballot by electronic transmission please indicate this request on your application and also include your legible email address in the space provided on the Federal Post Card Application (FPCA) or Absentee Ballot Application.

Applications for an Absentee Ballot by uniformed or overseas voters (pursuant to the Uniformed and Overseas Citizens Absentee Voting Act) can be accepted for each Election Cycle prior to a primary or election in which a federal candidate appears on the ballot as well as for any runoffs resulting therefrom including presidential preference primaries for one Election Cycle.  

Download a Federal Post Card Voter Registration and Absentee Ballot Request

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The last day an absentee ballot can be mailed is always 11 days prior to Election Day. No absentee ballots will be issued on the day before or the day of an election.  You can however, vote in person at your Polling place on Election Day. 

Voted Absentee Ballots Must:

• Have the yellow Oath Envelope completed and signed
• Be returned to the Habersham County Elections & Voter Registration office, before 7 p.m. on Election Day.

Exception: Ballots received from military and overseas voters will be accepted up to 3 days after an election if postmarked by Election Day.