Cobb ballots issued Oct. 7-15 were delayed by a vendor. Affected voters can get a replacement by overnight mail; it still must arrive by 7 p.m. Nov. 3.
Some Cobb County voters who asked for an absentee ballot for the Nov. 3 election have not received it. The county said Wednesday that its ballot printing vendor caused the delay.
The Cobb County Board of Elections and Registration said the problem mainly affects ballots the county issued between Oct. 7 and Oct. 15. It named the vendor as Fort Orange Press. The board called the number of voters affected “limited” but did not give a figure.
Voters in that group can now ask for a replacement ballot sent by USPS Priority Express Mail, with a prepaid Priority Express envelope to send it back.
Who qualifies
The board said a voter is eligible if the Secretary of State’s voter system shows their ballot as “issued” between Oct. 7 and Oct. 15.
The board will not send a replacement to a voter who:
- already had their original ballot in hand as of Oct. 28, whether or not it has been returned
- has already voted another way
- has already canceled the original ballot
How to ask for a replacement
- Check the issue date of your ballot on the Georgia Secretary of State’s My Voter Page.
- Call Cobb Elections at 770-528-2581 or email abm@cobbcounty.gov to report the ballot as undelivered. Staff will check that your ballot was among those affected.
- Sign the county’s affidavit to cancel an absentee ballot. The county’s guidance page says a physically signed affidavit can go by email, by fax to 770-528-2458 or in person at the elections office.
Only the voter can cancel their own ballot. A relative cannot do it for them, the board said.
Once a voter is confirmed as affected, the board said it will overnight the new ballot “immediately.”
The deadline does not move
There is no extension. Every absentee ballot must reach the Cobb County elections office by 7 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 3, to be counted. The county said a postmark alone does not meet the deadline.
What it means for you
If your ballot has not come, you have three routes. Which one works best depends on how much time you have.
| Option | Deadline | What to do |
|---|---|---|
| Replacement by overnight mail | Back at the elections office by 7 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 3 | Call 770-528-2581 or email abm@cobbcounty.gov, then sign the affidavit |
| Vote early in person | 7 p.m. Friday, Oct. 30 | Go to any Cobb advance voting site; the absentee ballot is canceled there |
| Vote on Election Day | 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 3 | Go to your assigned polling place |
Asking for an absentee ballot does not stop you from voting in person, the county said. Bring the ballot if it has arrived. If you do not have it, poll workers can help with the cancellation.
If you vote in person and the original ballot turns up later, do not fill it in or return it.
Completed ballots can also be dropped off. The county has drop boxes at six advance voting sites during voting hours through Friday. Ballots can also be handed in at the elections office at 995 Roswell St. NE in Marietta.
Our voting guide has advance voting sites, hours and the ID you need.
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