Notice of Board of Elections Meeting Change

How do I change my address?
You can get the form online, print it, fill it out completely and sign it. You must mail it in or deliver it in person because the law requires that we have the original signature. Click here to print the form.

Do I need to notify the Elections Office of my new address if I still reside in Henry County?
Yes. The ballot you vote is determined by your residence address. The law requires that you give us your current address so that you will vote the correct ballot.

How long does my registration remain in effect once I register?
Your registration remains in effect as long as you live at the same address. If you move, you must notify us.

What is a Primary?
A primary is an election in which a political party nominates a candidate for the following General Election. The candidate nominated for each office will then run against the candidates selected by other parties in the General Election.

Why do I have to choose Republican or Democratic?
The Republican and Democratic parties are the two parties in Georgia that conduct Primaries. Qualified candidates of other parties, as well as independent candidates, will appear on the November General Election ballot.

Why can’t I vote for some candidates on the Republican ballot and some candidates on the Democratic ballot?
Georgia law requires that you vote in only one party’s Primary during each election cycle.

If I didn’t vote in the Primary, can I vote in the Runoff?
Yes. If you didn’t vote in the Primary, you can select either party to vote in the Runoff.

What if there is no Runoff in my party in my precinct?
Then you don’t need to go to vote in the Runoff.

If there is no Runoff in my precinct in the party I selected in July, can I vote in the other party’s Runoff in August?
No. Georgia law requires that you vote in only one party’s Primary during each election cycle.

If I don’t vote in the Primary or Runoff, can I still vote in the November General Election?
Yes. In November all the candidates appear on the same ballot and you can vote for whoever you choose.

What do I need to bring with me for Early Voting or Advance Voting?
Photo I.D. is required for Early or Advance Voting--the same as at the polls.

Do I need my Voter Precinct Card to be able to vote?
No. Your Voter Precinct Card is for your information only. It tells you where to vote, and what districts you live in. To vote in person you must have one of the 6 allowable types of Photo I.D. Many people use their Georgia Driver's License. A free Voter I.D. is available at our office if you don't have any other allowable type. Here is a list of valid identification:

• A Georgia driver’s license, even if expired;
• Any valid state or federal government issued photo ID, including a free Voter ID Card issued by your county registrar or Georgia Department of Driver Services (DDS);
• Valid U.S. passport;
• Valid employee photo ID from any branch, department, agency, or entity of the U.S. Government, Georgia, or any county, municipality, board, authority, or other entity of this state;
• Valid U.S. military photo ID; or
• Valid tribal photo ID
• A GA Weapons permit

Can I take a ballot to a relative who is in the hospital?
No. Georgia law allows (but does not require) ballots to be taken to hospitals, but only by Elections staff members. We do not have enough personnel to accommodate those requests. Please take advantage of Vote-by-Mail for any ailing relatives or friends.

I have a disability--how can I get help with voting?
For Federal elections, if you vote in person you may receive assistance from anyone except an agent of your employer or an agent of your union. Usually whoever drives you to the poll or to the Early or Advance Voting site can assist you. If you arrive alone, you may request any other voter in the precinct to assist you. If you vote by mail, there are places on the forms for the signature of whoever assists you.

What is the process to obtain an Absentee Ballot?

1. Apply for an absentee ballot by downloading the form or calling the Elections and Registration office to request one at 770-288-6448 or download here. Make sure the form is filled out completely including the signature. Upon completion, send it to us by mail or fax at 770-288-6468.
2. Once you receive your ballot, vote it and return it to us as soon as possible.

What is the process for counting Absentee Ballots?

Absentee Ballots are not counted until election night along with the other votes. Absentee Ballots from Military and Overseas Citizens may also be counted on the Friday after Election Day as long as they were postmarked by Election Day. Ballots from all other voters must reach us by 7:00pm on Election Night in order to be counted.

Why do I sometimes get a ballot automatically and other times I have to apply?

Georgia law allows us to send some ballots automatically:

• If you are 65 years old or older, or if you are disabled, when you apply for a ballot for a Primary, and you request "All ballots as allowed by law", we will also automatically mail you a ballot for the Primary Runoff, the General Election, and the General Runoff. (Note: You must select a party for a Primary, or we will have to call or mail you a letter before we can proceed.) You always have to apply separately for any Special Elections and for the Presidential Preference Primary.
• If you are a Military or Overseas Citizen, and you apply for an absentee ballot and request "All ballots as allowed by law", we will send you ballots for Primaries, Runoffs, General Elections and the Presidential Preference Primary through two Federal Election cycles, or generally 4 years. You always have to apply separately for any Special Election. If you leave the military or are no longer living overseas, please notify our office.
• All other voters have to apply each time they want to receive an absentee ballot.

Can I be confident that my Early/Absentee/Advance ballot will count?

Yes. All Absentee ballots are counted Election Night along with all of the votes cast in person during Early Voting, Advance Voting and at the polls. Unofficial Results are released before the staff can leave on Election Night. Military and Overseas Citizens' ballots that are received Wednesday through Friday, and were postmarked by Election Day, are added on Friday. The results become Official after they are certified by the Henry County Board of Elections & Registration on the Friday following the Election.

What is the process for obtaining an Absentee Ballot for my son or daughter who is away at college?

Your son or daughter may download the application themselves and fax or mail it to us. Or you may apply on his or her behalf, and sign your name and your relationship. In either case, the ballot will be mailed to the student’s address at college. Of course if he or she will be in town during the Early or Advance Voting periods, he or she is welcome to come in and vote in person.

Can I return an Absentee or Vote-by-Mail ballot for someone else?

The elector shall mail or personally deliver the sealed envelope to the board of registrars (40 Atlanta Street, McDonough,) or absentee ballot clerk, provided that delivery by a physically disabled elector may be made by an adult person upon satisfactory proof that such adult person is such elector’s family member or resident of the same house hold by 7:00pm on Election Night. CANNOT BE TURNED IN AT A POLLING LOCATION.

Who is a Military Voter?
A military voter is an individual serving away from his/her place of permanent residence who is also:

• A uniformed or military voter is one who is a member of the Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps, Coast Guard, Merchant Marine or the commissioned corps of the Public Health Service or the commissioned corps of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration and who is absent from their precinct on the date of the election due to their service.
• A member of the Georgia National Guard deployed or on assignment outside of Georgia.
• A spouse or dependent of a member referred to above who, by reason of the active duty or service of the member, is absent from the place of residence where the spouse or dependent is otherwise qualified to vote.

Who is an Overseas Voter?

• Temporarily Overseas: A voter who is temporarily overseas is a citizen who would be qualified as an eligible voter to vote at their polling location in Georgia if they were not overseas.
• Permanently Overseas: A voter permanently overseas is a citizen who currently has no plans to return to Georgia but is authorized by federal law to vote in Georgia because they maintained residence in Georgia for at least 20 days immediately prior to their departure from the United States. A voter who lives abroad and no longer has a legal residence in Georgia may only vote for federal offices.

When is the Deadline for Requesting an Absentee Ballot?
Applications may be submitted to your county of permanent residence up to 180 days prior to a primary or election in which a federal candidate appears on the ballot as well as for any runoffs resulting there from including presidential preference primaries for two general elections.