The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Ruling could slow results of the election
A federal judge this past week gave Georgians more time to send their absentee ballots through the mail, and it could mean tens of thousands of more votes being counted in November’s election.
U.S. District Judge Eleanor Ross’ ruling will allow ballots to be counted if they have been postmarked by Election Day, Nov. 3, and delivered up to three days after that.
Ross wrote that voters must be protected during the coronavirus pandemic, when record numbers of Georgians are expected to cast absentee ballots to avoid the potential health risks of voting in person at precincts.
The court order will slow the counting of votes and the delivery of election results.
The secretary of state’s office plans to appeal the ruling in the lawsuit filed by the New Georgia Project, a voter registration group that asked the court to intervene to prevent voter disenfranchisement during the presidential election.
“Extending the absentee ballot receipt deadline is a bad idea that will make it nearly impossible for election officials to complete their required post-election tasks in the timeline that is required by law,” Deputy Secretary of State Jordan Fuchs said.
State law requires election results to be certified 17 days after the election, in this case by Nov. 20.
Absentee ballots proved popular during the June primary, making up almost half of the nearly 2.4 million votes cast.
More than 5 million Georgia voters are expected to participate in November’s election, and many will likely choose to mail their ballots.
Before Ross’ ruling, they may have done it with some apprehension.
The U.S. Postal Service had warned that mail delivery delays could hold up absentee ballots. Voters were advised to mail their completed ballots at least a week in advance of Election Day, by Oct. 27, according to a letter the USPS sent to Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger.
Georgia voters can also cast absentee ballots without having to rely on the Postal Service. Many counties offer voters the option to deposit their ballots in drop boxes until polls close on Election Day.
State law since 2005 has allowed any registered voter in Georgia to request an absentee ballot without having to provide an explanation.
Voters can order an absentee ballot online at ballotrequest.sos.ga.gov. They can also fill out and mail a paper absentee ballot request form to county election offices.
Election officials will begin mailing absentee ballots to voters around Sept. 18. State law prevents absentee ballots from being mailed before 49 days prior to Election Day.