Full Text
- An individual who votes more than once in an election or primary shall be guilty of a felony. - It is a crime to do any electioneering, or otherwise attempt to influence a voter, at the time he or she is voting an absentee ballot. - It is a crime to intimidate or use or threaten to use violence to interfere with anyone’s lawful right to vote. - It is a crime to pay or offer to pay a person any amount of money or to give a person anything of value in exchange for voting for a particular person or issue. Similarly, it is against the law to pay someone not to vote. - It is a crime to violate the secrecy of the ballot, or otherwise tamper with ballots of the voting system. - Only in the case of a physically disabled or illiterate elector, is an elector entitled to receive assistance in voting. - Except in the case of physically disabled elector, the absentee ballot shall only be in the possession of the elector named on the application and receiving such ballot. http://www.mvp.sos.ga.gov Use the MVP Log In to check your: Voter registration status Mail-In application and ballot status Poll location Early voting locations Elected Officials Registration information on file with the county office Sample ballot for the upcoming election Provisional Ballot status VOTER INFORMATION ON THE GO! Download “GA VOTES” mobile app to your smartphone. GUIDE McDuffie County, Georgia Board of Elections & Voter Registration 337 Main Street Suite 101 PO Box 600 Thomson, GA 30824 (706) 595 2105 –phone (706) 595-0460-fax “Information contained within may be specific to McDuffie County, Georgia” Penalties for Fraudulent Absentee Voting Activity ONLINE / MOBILE RESOURCES ---PAGE BREAK--- Prior to submitting an application for your absentee ballot you should review the application for complete and accurate information. An incomplete application may result in delayed processing or rejection of your application. - Be sure to indicate a party preference, if requesting a ballot for a primary. - Be sure to sign the application, the person named on the application must sign the application. - There are no restrictions on who may ASSIST an elector in completing a APPLICATION when the elector is personally submitting the application. - If the elector is unable to complete or sign his/her own application because of illiteracy or physical disability, the elector shall make his or her mark, if able, and the person filling in the rest of the application shall sign his/her own name below as a witness. - Applications can be submitted up to 180 days prior to an election or primary. - A separate application is required for each election or primary, however an exception is that an elector who is at least 65 years or age or physically disabled may submit on one application noting a request for all ballots for any run-off primary, election, and run-off election resulting there from the current election cycle. - A third party may request a ballot on one’s behalf in the case of an elector residing temporarily out of the county or municipality or a physically disable elector residing within the county or municipality. Such request must be noted on the application. Absentee ballots are ready for processing 45 days prior to a primary or election, at least 21 in the case of special or municipal. - Upon receipt, the completed absentee ballot application is reviewed for accuracy and the information including the signature within are compared to voter registration records, the application is either approved and processed or rejected for various reasons, any rejected application the elector will be notified by mail that their application for an absentee ballot has been rejected and the reason of such rejection. - Once ballots are ready all applications are processed and mailed within 2 business days of receipt. - Except in the case of a physically disabled voter residing within the county, no absentee ballot shall be mailed to an address within the county other than the permanent mailing address of the elector as recorded on the elector’s voter registration record or a temporary out of county address. - Your absentee ballot package should contain ONLY the following items o Blank ballot containing races that you are eligible to vote o White privacy envelope o Yellow oath/return envelope o Instructions for voting - If you believe that you have received an incorrect ballot, your package does not contain the items listed above, or you desire to change primary party ballot, immediately contact our office. - If you do not receive your ballot, destroy, or lose the ballot, you can get another ballot, however, you must sign an affidavit affirming that you lost, destroyed, or did not receive the first absentee ballot. In this instance another ballot will be issued without the needed for a new application. At any time after receiving an official absentee ballot, the elector shall vote his or her absentee ballot and return it to election office. - Use a black or blue pen to complete the ballot. - Completely fill in the oval to the left of the candidate’s name or issue (if a question). - If you filled in the oval for the person you desire to vote for, you do not need to write the name of the person on the ballot, only write the name of a qualified write-in candidate on the ballot. - Place your voted ballot in the envelopes provided, the white envelope first for ballot security and then the yellow oath of elector envelope for return. - Ensure that you correctly write your month and date of birth on the yellow envelope, and NOT THE CURRENT DATE. - Provide your PHYSICAL address as registered, even if you temporary reside outside of the county, or receive mail at a post office box, you must write your current residential/physical address. - Sign the oath of elector (yellow envelope). If a voter cannot sign his/her name, the voter must make a mark on the signature line, this signature will be compared to the signature on the voter’s registration card. - If you received assistance in voting the ballot, the person assisting must also sign the yellow envelope, note relationship to the elector, and indicate reason for rendering assistance. - If you change your mind after receiving your absentee ballot and wish to vote in person, you must surrender your absentee ballot, or sign an affidavit that the ballot was lost, destroyed, or never arrived. - Only in the case of a physically disabled voter can one designate a relative or individual residing in the same household to return his or her voter ballot in person or by mail. Submitting Application for an Absentee Ballot Processing Application / Receiving Ballot Voting Ballot/ Returning a Voted Ballot