The state of Georgia is facing a delay in the mailing of more than 3,000 absentee ballots in Cobb County just days before the election. Officials in the county are utilizing express mail and overnight delivery services to ensure that the ballots reach voters on time. Despite the delay, the county Board of Elections Chairwoman, Tori Silas, emphasized the importance of maintaining voter trust by being transparent about the situation and taking all necessary steps to get the ballots to those who requested them. The delay was attributed to faulty equipment and a sudden increase in absentee ballot requests leading up to the October 25 deadline.
A judge ruled that voters in Cobb County who receive their absentee ballots late can still return them by November 8, three days after Election Day, as long as they are postmarked by Tuesday. This ruling came after the American Civil Liberties Union and the Southern Poverty Law Center filed a lawsuit seeking an extension to the deadline. Georgia has experienced a record-breaking early turnout since advance voting began on October 15, with over 3.8 million ballots cast, representing more than half of the state’s active voters. Cobb County election officials stated that voters whose absentee ballots were delayed could still vote in person on the final day of early voting or on Election Day.
Despite the delay in mailing absentee ballots, Cobb County officials planned to keep their election headquarters open to accept hand-delivered absentee ballots through the weekend and on Monday. However, over 1,000 of the absentee ballots that were mailed late were sent to voters outside of Georgia. A county spokesperson declined to comment on the number of ballots that still needed to be mailed, citing pending litigation. The civil rights groups’ lawsuit was filed on behalf of three Cobb County voters who had not received their absentee ballots by mail as of Friday. The lawsuit argued that the actions taken by election officials were not enough to safeguard voters’ right to vote.
The situation in Cobb County highlights the challenges faced by election officials in ensuring that all voters have the opportunity to participate in the electoral process. With the unprecedented early voter turnout in Georgia, it is crucial that all voters have access to the resources they need to cast their ballots, whether through absentee voting or in-person voting. The delay in mailing absentee ballots underscores the importance of having contingency plans in place to address unforeseen circumstances and ensure that every vote is counted. As the election draws near, it is essential for election officials to remain transparent and responsive to any issues that may arise to maintain voter trust in the democratic process.
