Absentee ballots late getting out in Georgia

ATLANTA - The state has missed a deadline for making absentee ballots available for the November 5 general election. They should have been ready September 20, which was 45 days before the election. But some counties won&#39;t have them until next week. <br> <br> Chris Riggall, a spokesman for Secretary of State Cathy Cox, says with the election timetable shortened this year because of redistricting, there was no way to meet the 45-day deadline. <br> <br> Georgia legislators changed the election schedule because of redistricting, forcing the primary later in the year and shortening the time between the end of the primary campaign and the general election. <br> <br> Primary runoffs were held on September 10, just ten days before absentee ballots should have been available for the general election. The 45-day window is designed to make it easier for servicemen overseas to cast ballots in the election. <br> <br> Counties print the absentee ballots, but can&#39;t begin that process until they receive certified results from the state. The state couldn&#39;t certify the results until it had official results of the runoff from every county. <br> <br> Riggall said every county should have absentee ballots available in three to seven days.

http://accesswdun.com/article/2002/9/189761