DeKalb anticipates increase in absentee voters in 2020 General Election

Registered voters in DeKalb County looking to cast an absentee ballot for the Tuesday, Nov. 3, general election are encouraged to begin the process now by visiting www.dekalbvotes.com. The application is the first step in obtaining an absentee ballot and voters who plan to vote absentee are highly encouraged to apply right away.

An application for an absentee ballot can be submitted in several ways:

1. Print and fill out the application online at www.dekalbvotes.com, sign the application, take a photo or scan and email to voterreg@dekalbcountyga.gov.
2. Print out the application from www.dekalbvotes.com, fill it out, and hand deliver or mail to:

4380 Memorial Drive
Suite 300
Decatur, GA 30032

3. Print out the application from www.dekalbvotes.com and fax it to:(404) 298-4038.

Once DeKalb County receives an application, it takes an average of three days to process. Application status can be viewed by visiting the Georgia Secretary of State My Voter page at www.mvp.sos.ga.gov/MVP.

Upon receiving a ballot, voters have several options for casting their ballot:

1. Return the completed ballot by mail with a postmark date of Tuesday, Nov. 3, 2020 or earlier.
2. Bring the completed ballot to your early voting location and drop it off.
3. Bring the completed ballot to a secure drop box location by Tuesday, Nov. 3, 2020 at 7 p.m. Locations can be viewed at www.dekalbvotes.com.

“We want to ensure Dekalb County registered voters know and understand their voting options,” said Erica Hamilton, DeKalb County elections director. “The county is anticipating voters in record numbers especially for those looking to vote from home due to COVID-19.”

As a reminder, registered voters may only vote once. Voters who request an absentee ballot but decide to vote in-person can bring their absentee ballot to their registered polling place and exchange the ballot for an opportunity to vote in-person. Once an absentee ballot has been received and approved by DeKalb County Voter Registration and Election Office, no other ballot will be issued.

Completed applications must be received by the DeKalb County Voter Registration and Elections Office no later than 4:30 p.m. on Friday, Oct. 30, 2020, and absentee ballots must be received by 7 p.m. on Friday, Nov. 6, 2020 with a postmark of Tuesday, Nov. 3, 2020 or earlier. Uniformed and Overseas Citizens (UOCAVA) ballots must also be postmarked by Tuesday, Nov. 3, 2020, and received no later than Friday, Nov. 6, 2020 at 7 p.m.

For more information, contact the DeKalb County Voter Registration and Elections Office at 404-298- 4020, visit DeKalb County Voter Registration and Elections at  www.dekalbvotes.com or visit the Georgia Secretary of State at www.sos.ga.gov.