Here’s what voters need to know for Election Day on Tuesday in Columbus
Tuesday will be no ordinary Election Day in Columbus.
As local voters go to the polls from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. to cast ballots for sheriff, district attorney, school board and city councilors, among other offices, they will encounter some precautions meant to stop the spread of the COVID-19 virus.
They will be asked to stay at least six feet apart while waiting in line, and their voting equipment will be disinfected after every use. Election workers recommend voters wear masks, but that is not required.
Because of fears related to the pandemic, one voting poll had to be moved to another location:
Voters who usually cast ballots at the St. John AME Church, 3980 Steam Mill Road, will be voting Tuesday at the Shirley B Winston Recreation Center, 5025 Steam Mill Road.
The Muscogee County Board of Elections and Registration has issued more than 25,000 mail-in absentee ballots, but only a portion of those have been mailed back. Those who have not mailed ballots back may vote in person Tuesday and discard the absentee ballot, but of course they will not be allowed to vote in person and then mail the ballot back at the same time, to vote twice.
Voters also have the option of filling out the mail-in ballot and depositing it in the secure drop-box on the parking garage side of the City Service Center at 3111 Citizens Way. All ballots left in the box will be collected at 7 p.m. Tuesday to be counted.
Voters also should remember that they must be in line at the poll by 7 p.m., to cast ballots after the poll officially closes. Everyone in line at that time can vote, but no one else may join the line.
Follow this link to view local candidate profiles and get other ballot information.
The elections office, which is online at www.columbusga.gov/elections and can be reached at 706-653-4392, recommends voters view sample ballots before they go to the polls. Sample ballots are available at the Georgia Secretary of State’s “My Voter Page,” online at www.mvp.sos.ga.gov/MVP.
This story was originally published June 8, 2020 at 3:50 PM.