Elections

Have questions about the upcoming election in Muscogee County? We’ve got answers.

By Allie Dean

Updated June 8, 2020 10:05 AM

The coronavirus pandemic has changed the way people do everything, from grocery shopping to voting.

For the election coming up next month in Georgia, voters are being encouraged to vote by mail instead of in person to help make the process as safe for voters and poll workers as possible.

To further help you understand the changes that have been made and what to expect when you cast your ballot, we’ve compiled a list of some questions voters are likely to have ahead of the election.

When is the election?

Early voting started May 18 and runs through June 5. Election day is June 9 from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.

How do I check my polling place?

In-person voting during the early period and on election day is available during the pandemic. To find out where and when to vote, visit the Georgia Secretary of State’s “My Voter Page,” www.mvp.sos.ga.gov/MVP.

Voters can enter their information to find out where to vote and see a sample ballot. They can also check their registration status and download voter registration forms and absentee voting applications on the website.

What exactly are we voting for?

This election is combining the March 24 presidential preference primary and the May 19 state party primary and local election.

Those who did not vote in March will get ballots combining the two races, while those who did vote will receive only ballots from the May 19 state primary and local election.

State primary races include those for U.S. senator, U.S. congressman, state senators and state representatives. Republican and Democratic questions will also be on the ballot.

Local races include district attorney, coroner, sheriff and some judge seats, and races for city council, county commission and board of education will vary according to where the voter lives.

Muscogee County voters will also see an ESPLOST referendum, a question on if a 1% sales tax for local schools should be continued.

To see everything that will be on your ballot, enter your info at www.mvp.sos.ga.gov/MVP.

Learn more about the candidates here:

Do I need to bring anything with me to vote?

Yes. Georgia law requires voters bring some form of identification, which can be your driver’s license (even if it’s expired), a government-issued ID card, an employee photo from any U.S. or state government agency, a valid U.S. passport ID, a valid U.S. military photo ID or valid tribal photo ID.

How do I vote by absentee ballot?

Due to the coronavirus pandemic, voters have been encouraged to vote by mail via absentee ballots. Drop-off boxes have also been installed around the county.

To receive an absentee ballot, voters must fill out an absentee ballot application and submit it by June 5. Applications can be submitted through the mail, in an email with the application attached or by fax.

The form can be found at sos.ga.gov/admin/files/Fillable%20Absentee%20Ballot%20Form%2020.pdf.

Residents should submit their absentee ballot to their county election office drop-off box. In Muscogee County, a box has been placed outside the City Services Center on Macon Road. Ballots can be dropped of there until 7 p.m. June 9.

Do I have to pick a political party to vote in the primaries?

Georgia does not register voters by party, so picking a partisan ballot does not bind the voter to that party for future elections. Still, each voter must pick a Republican, Democratic or nonpartisan ballot.

Voters can’t mix parties, so no one gets a ballot that combines the Democratic Party’s presidential primary and the Republican Party’s state primary, or vice-versa.

All nonpartisan candidates will be on all of the ballots.

How do I contact my county registration office?

Muscogee

Mailing address: P.O. Box 1340, Columbus, GA 31902
Phone: 706-653-4392
Fax: 706-225-4394
Email: muscogeeelectionsandregistration@columbusga.gov

Harris

Mailing address: P.O Box 123, Hamilton, GA 31811
Phone: 706-628-5210
Fax: 706-628-4223
Email: sjarrett@harriscountyga.gov

Chattahoochee

Mailing address: 377 Broad Street, Cusseta, GA 31805
Phone: 706-989-3603
Fax: 706-989-2005
Email: judgemcg@yahoo.com

This story was originally published June 1, 2020 at 6:00 AM.

Allie Dean

Columbus Ledger-Enquirer

706-571-8510

Allie Dean is the Columbus city government and accountability reporter for the Ledger-Enquirer, and also writes about new restaurants, developments and issues important to readers in the Chattahoochee Valley. She’s a graduate of the University of Georgia.