DeKalb County voters still waiting for absentee ballots can vote early in person through Friday, Oct. 30, after completing the required cancellation process.
The Democratic Party of Georgia urged voters to consider that option amid reports of delayed ballots in DeKalb, Cobb and Gwinnett counties. Party Chair Charlie Bailey said as many as 10,000 voters across the three counties could be affected, Fox 5 Atlanta reported. That estimate has not established how many DeKalb voters have failed to receive ballots.
All three counties hired New York-based Fort Orange Press to handle absentee ballots, according to Democracy Docket.
The concerns prompted Cobb voter Michael Olaribigbe to file a proposed class-action lawsuit Oct. 27, alleging that nearly 2,900 voters in that county had not received requested ballots. He sought an order requiring election officials to send replacement ballots and return envelopes by overnight mail.
Olaribigbe voluntarily dismissed the lawsuit Oct. 28 after Cobb announced an express-mail replacement program, according to court records.
Cobb acknowledged delivery delays affecting a limited number of voters, primarily those whose ballots were issued Oct. 7–15. The county said the problem appeared to involve Fort Orange Press.
Eligible Cobb voters must contact election staff themselves, verify that their ballot was affected and sign an affidavit canceling the original. The county will then send a replacement by USPS Priority Express Mail with a prepaid express return envelope, according to its announcement. That offer applies to Cobb voters.
For DeKalb residents, an outstanding absentee ballot does not prevent voting in person. Voters who never received their ballot should tell election workers, who can assist with the required paperwork. They can also contact their county elections office to discuss their options, according to Georgia’s official voting guidance.
Early voting ends Friday. Voters can also cast ballots on Election Day, Tuesday, Nov. 3, at their assigned precinct. Polls will be open from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.
Voters can check absentee ballot status and find their assigned polling place through Georgia’s My Voter Page. A ballot marked “issued” has not necessarily reached the voter, while a ballot that remains unreturned does not necessarily indicate a delivery problem.
Domestic absentee ballots must reach the county elections office by 7 p.m. Nov. 3; a postmark alone is insufficient. Separate deadlines apply to qualifying military and overseas ballots.
