Frequently Asked Questions

Know Before You Go

Make sure you are registered to vote, and your registration is up to date and active.

• Be sure to have proper identification for in-person or absentee voting.
• Mark your calendar to remember when early voting begins and ends.
• Know your voting location before you head to cast your ballot.
• Reminder! Voters can cast ballots at any advance voting location but must go to their assigned precinct in Election Day.

Get familiar with changes to Georgia’s voting law.

What to bring with you for in-person voting:

• A valid ID, such as a driver’s license, passport, or voter identification card
• A mask to help ensure your safety and the safety of the poll workers and voters around you.
• Your absentee ballot if you are wanting to vote in person instead. If you do not have your absentee ballot, you will need to sign an affidavit stating that you are instead casting your ballot in person.

Still have a question? Contact us today!

Law Enforcement Quick Reference Guide

This guide introduces your responsibilities under the law when voting in person.

SB 202 FAQs

Columbia County Board of Elections is committed to keeping residents informed of any laws that may impact the voter experience, and we encourage voters to make informed decisions about how, when, and where to cast their ballot. On March 25, 2021, SB202 was signed into law and will change how some Columbia County voters are able to vote. For more information, please read the following frequently asked questions or contact Columbia County Board of Elections at 706-868-3355.

What are the changes to absentee (also known as mail-in) voting?

There are multiple changes to absentee voting. If you’re planning on voting by this method, please carefully review the new law, with the following major changes. Note that voters who are over 65, disabled, in the military or live overseas can make a single request for an absentee ballot and automatically receive an absentee ballot for all elections during the election cycle. Some changes include:

• The deadline for requesting an absentee ballot has moved to the 2^nd Friday prior to election day, shortening the previous allowable time to request an absentee ballot.
• Government and third-party groups are restricted in how they are permitted to send unsolicited requests for absentee ballot applications (meaning voters should not receive multiple requests in the mail).
• The window for mailing absentee ballots to voters has been shortened, so voters will have less time to fill out and return their ballot. Absentee ballots cannot be requested until 78 days prior to Election Day, shortening the previous window considerably.
• To request an absentee ballot, an individual must fill out the application and return it to the Elections office via email, fax, in-person or online.  The law only allows authorized individuals to request a ballot on behalf of someone else.

Do I need identification to request an absentee ballot?

Yes, an absentee ballot request will require identification. If you do not have any of these forms of identification listed in the form of identification (ID) allowed under the new law, please contact the Election Office for more information at (706) 868-3355.

How do I request an absentee ballot? 

Any registered voter may apply for an Absentee Ballot via our online application. Applications can only be accepted between 78 and 11 days before an election. Once the application is printed, the below steps should be followed:

1. Download the application (see below). Complete all applicable fields, print, and sign. 
   1. Please provide the required physical signature or mark in Section Eight (8).
   2. Please provide the required Date of Birth in Section Seven (7).
   3. Please provide the required voter identification in Section Seven (7).
        
2. Absentee Ballot Application(s)
   1. Absentee Ballot Application for The State of Georgia: view/print
   2. NOTE:   Applications can only be accepted no earlier than 78 days prior to the election and no later than the 11^th day before the election.
        
3. You may apply for a ballot for a relative who is disabled or out of town, but that ballot will be mailed directly to the voter.  The person providing assistance should provide a signature or mark in Section Ten (10) and Section Eleven (11).
     
4. Send in the completed application via:

• Fax: 706-868-3358 
• Mail:  

Columbia County Board of Elections
PO Box 919 
Evans, GA  30809

• In-Person:

Columbia County Board of Elections
610 Ronald Reagan Dr., Bldg. G3
Evans, GA 30809

• Email: vote@columbiacountyga.gov

Will I still be able to vote early?

Yes, early voting, also referred to as advance voting, is being expanded for some counties as part of SB202. For voters in Columbia County, advance voting schedules should not include major changes. Major changes to the law include:

Are polling places or precincts changing due to the new laws?

The law doesn’t mandate any changes to polling places or precincts, but there are new requirements for how changes are communicated including larger signs at changed locations. Additionally, the new law requires polling locations with long wait times to address the long wait by adding additional staff, equipment and/or locations for subsequent elections.

What other changes will I notice during the next election?

The most noticeable changes for many voters surround the new rules regarding absentee voting.

• Runoff Elections: The time between an election and runoff is being shortened, so voters will have less time to request and return absentee ballots.
• Line Warming Restrictions: “Line warming” of any kind is prohibited within 150 feet of a building containing a polling place. This means voters may not receive or provide water, food, snacks, portable chairs or other items from third-party groups and third-party groups are prohibited from providing those items.
• Drop Boxes: Drop box locations are significantly reduced under the new law and will be available inside certain advance voting locations during operating hours only. Columbia County will publish locations as the next election draws near.
• Provisional Ballots: Provisional ballots will not be counted for voters who arrive at an incorrect precinct on Election Day apart from those who arrive between 5pm and 7pm. All other voters who arrive at the incorrect precinct will be asked to go to their correct precinct.

What if I still have questions about SB202?

To read the law in its entirety, please visit: https://legiscan.com/GA/text/sb202/2021

Contact Us:

Contact Us

We are located on Ronald Reagan Drive across from United States Post Office and directly behind the Regions Bank in the 3^rd building.