Dozens of absentee ballot drop boxes have been set up across Georgia, helping voters avoid the uncertainty of mail delivery when returning their ballots.
Drop boxes are available in every metro Atlanta county along with many other areas in advance of the Nov. 3 general election. Voters who haven’t yet returned their absentee ballots should deliver them in drop boxes rather than risk delays with the U.S. Postal Service, said Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger on Tuesday.
Voters can insert their absentee ballots in drop boxes anytime before polls close at 7 p.m. on Election Day. No stamp is required. Absentee ballots must be returned in the county where voters are registered to vote.
The State Election Board approved drop boxes this year as a way to help voters avoid human contact during the coronavirus pandemic.
Absentee ballot drop boxes must be located on government property and monitored by video cameras for security. They also must be securely fastened and built with a slot that prevents ballot tampering, damage or removal.
County election employees are required to empty drop boxes at least once every three days in the weeks leading up to the election, and daily in the eight days before Election Day.
Thirty-six drop box locations are available in Fulton County, 35 in DeKalb County, 23 in Gwinnett County, and 16 in Cobb County.
Drop boxes had been set up in 98 of Georgia’s 159 counties as of mid-July. A list of their locations can be found by clicking here. Counties are continuing to add drop boxes.
