Absentee ballots to be mailed starting this week

GAINESVILLE - Absentee ballots for Georgia's July 31 General Election primaries will be mailed starting later this week.

Hall County Elections Director Charlotte Sosebee says you can go ahead and request a ballot and they'll be mailed starting Friday.

Unlike recent elections, Georgia voters will have fewer days this election year to participate in advance voting.

"That is true, we now conduct advance voting for 21 days rather than 45, which will begin on July 9," Sosebee said. "However, absentee ballots will be available for 45 days, which will be mailed by June 15."

The state legislature has approved a reduction in the number of days allowed for advance voting. Since the concept was adopted several years ago, voters have been allowed to vote up to 45 days prior to an election, however, according to state officials, studies have shown that most advance voting was occurring the final three weeks of the period. Also in recent election cycles, advance voting has been allowed on one Saturday leading up to election day and that will continue this time. For the July 31 primaries, that will be July 21. Advance voting will end Friday July 27.

If you are not registered vote, you have until July 2 to do so in order to be eligible to vote on July 31.