Week two of early voting is now underway and next week, advance voting begins ahead of the May 24 primary.
With a new ESPLOST, two county commission seats, three board of education seats, a City of Clarkesville council seat, and Mt. Airy’s Sunday sales liquor referendum on the ballot, voters in Habersham have a lot to decide.
In an effort to clear up any confusion created by Georgia’s new election law, Now Habersham asked Habersham County Election Supervisor Laurel Ellison a series of questions posed to us by voters.
1. What special instructions do voters need to know about absentee voting? They just need to be sure that they call and request an application for absentee ballot or go online and complete one on the SOS absentee ballot portal or they can find an application on our website. Once they complete the application, they can either mail, email, fax or bring it in, but they MUST have it back into our office by Friday, May 13th.
2. Will elderly residents receive automatic ballots or must all residents request absentee ballots? Elderly & disabled voters have never received automatic ballots without completing at least one application for absentee ballot each year. 65 and older, disabled and military voters can apply only once in an election year, but they have to make sure they check the appropriate box(es) on the back of the application if they want to receive ballots for the whole year.
3. Is there a ballot drop box in the county? Yes, it is located in our office and will be open during the hours of Early/Advance/Saturday voting.
4. Does the county need more poll workers? If so, how should people apply? As of right now, we have plenty, but people can always apply; we just might not be able to use them for this election. They can apply online through the county website or they can come into our office and complete an application.
5. Is there anything you’d like to say about the upcoming primary/election and any voting law changes the public needs to be aware of? Other than the applications for absentee ballots having a deadline of 11 days prior to any election, they should just make sure that they know where they need to go to vote by either calling our office or going on the MVP page on the SOS website, where they can also view the sample ballots for their district. Reviewing the sample ballots will make it easier for them when they go to vote. If they already know what is on the ballot and have a good idea of how they want to vote, it will make their time at the voting machine shorter.
6. Anything else to add? Being an informed voter will make the voting process go smoother and the lines move faster. Voters should go to our website and the SOS website to get more information or call our office if they have any questions.
The Habersham County Election’s and Voter’s Registration Office phone number is 706-839-0170.
SEE ALSO: Early voting off to strong start in Habersham
