| Q 2.1 In the case of a parent requesting an absentee ballot on behalf of a child, does the parent have to be a registered voter? |
| A 2.1 |
No. See O.C.G.A. § 21-2-381(a)(1)(B).
In the case of an elector residing temporarily out of the county or municipality or a physically disabled elector residing within the county or municipality, there is no requirement other than that the relative is at least 18 years of age and provides satisfactory proof of relationship. Posted 1/15/08.
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| Q 2.2. If an absentee ballot application is checked "No Reason," can ballots be mailed for all elections allowed by law in the calendar year? |
| A 2.2 |
No. See O.C.G.A. § 21-2-381(a)(1)(G)-(H); Rules of the State Election Board, Rule 183-1-14-.01.
An elector who is at least seventy-five years of age or physically disabled may request in writing on one absentee ballot application for a primary that the election official mail to that elector all ballots for any run-off primary, election, and run-off election. Ballots are only sent if requested by the elector and not at the registrar’s own initiative. Elderly and physically disabled voters must submit separate absentee ballot applications for any presidential preference primary.
A calendar year is never the defining amount of time with respect to absentee ballot requests. A UOCAVA elector’s absentee ballot application requires the election official to mail to that elector all absentee ballots through the second regularly scheduled general election in which federal candidates are on the ballot occurring thereafter. Posted 1/15/08.
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| Q 2.3 If someone checks “No Reason” on the absentee ballot application for an election, if there is a run-off election, should the registrar send absentee ballots automatically, since a runoff is an extension of the election? |
| A 2.3 |
Only if the registrar is aware that the elector is a UOCAVA elector. See O.C.G.A. § 21-2-381(a)(1)(G)-(H); Rules of the State Election Board, Rule 183-1-14-.01.
A UOCAVA elector’s absentee ballot application requires the election official to mail to that elector all absentee ballots through the second regularly scheduled general election in which federal candidates are on the ballot occurring thereafter.
An elector who is at least seventy-five years of age or physically disabled may request in writing on one absentee ballot application for a primary that the election official mail to that elector all ballots for any run-off primary, election, and run-off election. Ballots are only sent if requested by the elector and not at the registrar’s own initiative. However, elderly and physically disabled voters must submit separate absentee ballot applications for any presidential preference primary. Posted 1/15/08.
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| Q 2.4. Can a pre-filled (or preprinted) absentee ballot application be accepted if signed only by the elector? Must a pre-filled absentee ballot application be signed as assisted? |
| A 2.4 |
The only requirement whereby the application must be signed as assisted is if the elector is unable to fill out or sign such elector's own application because of illiteracy or physical disability, the elector shall make such elector's mark, and the person filling in the rest of the application shall sign such person's name below it as a witness. There are no restrictions on who may assist an elector in completing an absentee ballot application. See O.C.G.A. § 21-2-381(a)(1)(B)-(C), (E)-(F) . Posted 1/15/08.
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| Q 2.5. Can an absentee ballot application be accepted in bundle? |
| A 2.5 |
Yes. See O.C.G.A. § 21-2-381.
There are no restrictions on who may take possession of and transmit or deliver an application for an absentee ballot, or how those applications are transmitted or delivered. Posted 1/15/08.
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| Q 2.6. If the elector does not mark any reason for absentee voting on the absentee ballot application (leaving “no reason” unselected as well) can the registrar infer “No Reason” was intended? |
| A 2.6 |
Yes. See O.C.G.A. § 21-2-380(b).
An elector who requests an absentee ballot shall not be required to provide a reason in order to cast the absentee ballot. If the elector did not provide a reason, then the request is for “No Reason.” Posted 1/15/08. |