Spalding County Elections/Voter Registration

ESCALATION IN THE USE OF ABSENTEE BALLOTS

The Secretary of State has advised all Elections Office’s in Georgia’s 159 counties that they have contracted with a private company to mail an Application for Official Absentee Ballot to all active voters in the State. The voter should complete the form and return it. Upon receipt, an official ballot will be mailed to the voter for completion and return.

Voters in an inactive status will not receive an Application for Official Absentee Ballot. These voters will need to contact their local Elections office and go online at www.sos.ga.gov to secure an Application for Official Absentee Ballot.

This procedure is being implemented because of the Coronavirus aka COVID-19 pandemic and to lessen the number of voters coming to the Polls on Election day, May 19, 2020. In addition, the average age of poll workers are seniors and there may be a shortage of poll workers on

Election day.

According to Secretary of State, Brad Raffensperger, voters returning the Application for Official Absentee Ballot and the actual Ballot will have to defray the cost of postage, Raffensperger stated the cost of postage would cost about 4 million dollars and his department does not have that amount of money to spend on postage.

No date has been given as to when these Applications for Official Absentee Ballot will be mailed.

If you have questions or desire additional information, please contact the Spalding County Board of Elections and Registration at 770 467-4245,

Mission

It is the mission of the Board of Elections and Voter Registration to uphold the integrity of the electoral process in Spalding County and to ensure that no voters experience disenfranchisement. The Board of Elections and Voter Registration is a 5-member board and is responsible for overseeing all Elections for Spalding County, City of Griffin/Orchard Hill. The Board of Elections and Voter Registration is committed to serving all eligible voters.

Staff

Marcia Ridley, MBA, D.H.L. Humanity
Elections and Voter Registration Supervisor
mridley@spaldingcounty.com
825 Memorial Drive
Griffin, GA 30223
(770) 467-4245

Carla Rapp
Elections Assistant
clrapp@spaldingcounty.com
825 Memorial Drive
Griffin, GA 30223
(770) 467-4245

Voter Registration Clerk
abutler@spaldingcounty.com
825 Memorial Drive
Griffin, GA 30223
(770) 467-4245

The Board of Elections and Voter Registration

Margaret Bentley – Chairman

Betty Bryant – Vice Chairman

Glenda Henley – Secretary

Randall Gooden – Member

Vera McIntosh – Member

The Board of Elections and Voter Registration Meets the 2^nd Tuesday of every month, the public is invited.

The Board of Elections Meeting for April 14, 2020 has been CANCELLED

SPALDING COUNTY BOARD OF ELECTIONS MONTHLY MEETING

CLICK HERE for the meeting notice.

825 Memorial Drive
P. O. Box 1087
Griffin, GA 30224

2020 Meeting Agendas

March 10, 2020 – Regular Meeting Agenda
March 3, 2020 – Notice of Special Called Meeting
February 11, 2020 – Regular Meeting Agenda
January 14, 2020 – Board of Elections Agenda
January 06, 2020 – Regular Meeting After Agenda

2020 Calendar

January 14, 2020
February 11, 2020
March 10, 2020
April 14, 2020
May 12, 2020
June 09, 2020
July 14, 2020
August 11, 2020
September 08, 2020
October 13, 2020
November 10, 2020
December 08, 2020

Meeting Minutes

2020-January 14

2019-December 30
2019-November 12
2019-November 9
2019-November 5
2019-October 8
2019-September 10
2019-September 17
2019-August 13
2019-June 11
2019-May 14
2019-April 9
2019-March 12
2019-February 22
2019-February 19
2019-February 12
2019-January 8

2018-November 13
2018-September 11
2018, August 14
2018, June 12
2018, April 10
2018. February 13
2018, January 30
2018, January 19

2017, December 12
2017, November 14
2017, September 19
2017, August 8
2017, July 10

Elections Information

NOTICE OF RECOUNT

Notice of Recount posted on 11/7/19

POLLING PLACES

if you wait until Election Day to vote, you must go to your assigned polling place. To find your Election Day voting location, visit MY VOTER PAGE and enter the requested information. Your assigned polling place will be listed.

SPALDING COUNTY PRECINCTS

Spalding County has 18 Precincts CLICK HERE for the list.

ADVANCED VOTING AND ELECTION DAY VOTING
Don’t forget to take a valid photo ID with you when you go to vote!

Last day for early voting is the Friday before any election.

2020 Presidential Preference Primary – March 24, 2020 – Sample Ballots
Democratic (Sample Ballot)
Republican (Sample Ballot)

2019 Election Information Update
2019 Sample Ballots for 2019 November Election

PROVISIONAL VOTING

Provisional ballots

If a person presents himself or herself at a polling place, absentee polling place, or registration office for the purpose of casting a ballot in a primary or election believing that he or she has timely registered to vote in such primary or election and the person’s name does not appear on the list of registered electors, the person shall be entitled to cast a provisional ballot in the election. (O.C.G.A. § 21-2-418)

PHOTO ID

Georgia law requires that any voter casting a ballot in person during the advance voting period or on Election Day provide photo ID. A list of acceptable photo ID for voting purposes in Georgia can be found on the website for the Georgia Secretary of State at http://sos.ga.gov. If you do not have one of the required State Photo ID’s, you may be able to obtain a free Voter Identification Card (VIC)

HOW TO FIND A SAMPLE BALLOTS?

You can view and print your sample ballot by going to MY VOTER PAGE and enter the requested information.

There will be a link to your ballot.

POLLWORKER INFO

If you are interested in becoming a poll worker please fill out the Poll Workers Application. Return it to the Elections office at 825 Memorial Dr. or fax it at 770-467-4278.

ELECTION RESULTS ELECTIONS

Complete General Election Summary And Report
for November 6, 2018

Certification of the 2019 Municipal General/Special Election

Voter Registration Information

Qualifications for registering to vote in the State of Georgia:

Must be a U.S. citizen
Must be a resident of Spalding County
Must be at least 17 ½ years old (must be 18 by the next election)
Cannot be serving a sentence for a felony conviction
Must not have been adjudicated mentally incompetent

Ways to register to vote:
Complete an application at the following locations:

Office of Elections & Voter Registration – 825 Memorial Dr. Griffin, GA 30223
Register to vote when you get your driver’s license at the Department of Drivers Services.
Register to vote on MY VOTER PAGE.
Download and complete a Registration Form and mail to:
Voter Registration
P.O. Box 1087
Griffin, GA 30224

Ways to make changes to your registration:

Complete a change form at our office located at 825 Memorial Dr. Griffin, GA 30223
Change when you get your driver’s license at the Department of Drivers Services
Make changes on MY VOTER PAGE.
Download and complete a Registration Form and mail to:
Voter Registration
P.O. Box 1087
Griffin, GA 30224

Confirm whether or not you are registered to vote in Spalding County
Go to MY VOTER PAGE and enter the requested information. Your current information will be listed.

How do I find my precinct and how to get a precinct card?

Go to MY VOTER PAGE and enter the requested information. Your polling place will be listed. You can also print off a temporary precinct card.

Deputy Registrar Training and Registration Drives

What is a Deputy Registrar?

Volunteer Deputy Registrars are entrusted with the responsibility of officially registering voters in the State of Georgia. They are appointed by county voter registrars and charged with helping increase voter registration in the state.

Deputy Registrar Training

Deputy Registrar training is held at the request of organizations, schools, community clubs and other like- minded groups. Call the office at 770-467-4245 to schedule a training class. Training classes are also scheduled monthly. CLICK HERE for the schedule.

Registration Drives

Registration Drives are coordinated with the Elections office so they can be advertised. The form must be submitted no less than 5 days prior to the start of the Drive. CLICK HERE for the form.

Absentee

ABSENTEE VOTING BY MAIL

ABSENTEE BY MAIL FOR THE NOVEMBER 5TH, 2019 GENERAL ELECTION/SPECIAL ELECTION IS OCTOBER 14TH, 2019

REQUESTING AN ABSENTEE BALLOT APPLICATION:

Absentee Ballot Application

Absentee Ballot applications are available online at http://www.mvp.sos.ga.gov, via email at: spaldingelections@spaldingcounty.com or available at the Office of Elections and Voter Registration: 825 Memorial Drive; Griffin, GA 30224

ALL information MUST match the information on their voting profile.

Voters DO NOT have to provide a reason to request an Absentee Ballot.

If an exception is applicable to the voter said exception should be indicated on the application.

Last day to request an Absentee Ballot for the November 5^th, 2019 General Election/Special Election is November 1^st, 2019 by 3:00pm.

Absentee Ballot applications can be returned in the following manners:

In person at: 825 Memorial Drive; Griffin, GA 30224

Mailed to: PO Box 1087; Griffin, GA 30224

Faxed: 770-467-4278

Email at: spaldingelections@spaldingcounty.com

RETURNING AN ABSENTEE BALLOT:

Absentee Ballots can be mailed to: PO Box 1087; Griffin, GA 30224 or delivered in person according to the law O.C.G.A 21-2-385(A).

ABSENTEE (EARLY) VOTING IN PERSON

EARLY VOTING FOR THE

NOVEMBER 5TH, 2019 GENERAL ELECTION/SPECIAL ELECTION BEGINS

OCTOBER 14TH, 2019

Advance voting begins October 14^th, 2019-November 1^st, 2019 from 8:00am-5:00pm at:

825 Memorial Dr, Griffin, GA 30224

Acceptable forms of identification as indicated in O.C.G.A 21-2-417:

Current or expired GA driver’s license or GA identification card
Valid military photo identification card
Valid photo identification card issued by any branch of government
Valid employee photo identification card issued by any branch of government
Valid U.S. passport
Valid tribal photo ID card

CELL PHONES ARE PROHIBITED ONCE IN THE VOTING AREA as indicated in O.C.G.A 21-4-414.

If a voter believes they have the incorrect ballot or that the machine is not functioning properly, they should report such to a poll worker BEFORE touching “Cast Ballot”. Once “Cast Ballot” has been touched (even in the event of an accident) the ballot is officially cast and CANNOT be reversed AND/OR CANNOT receive another ballot.

Voters with visual impartments may access the magnifying feature on each voting machine. Additionally, each polling location will have one voting machine equipped with a keyboard/headphone for those with a visual impairment to vote without assistance.

Voters with a disability or over the age of 75 may notify a poll worker and will be moved to the front of the line. More so, if the voter has a disability, they can receive assistance. The voter and the person assisting them must sign the Voter Certificate.

Campaigning within 150 feet of any polling location or within 25 feet of anyone in line to cast a ballot at a polling location. Please note: hats, shirts, buttons, stickers etc. ARE considered campaign materials and NOT ALLOWED, as indicated in O.C.G.A 21-2-41- (A) (1-3).

Tabulation is done at the Election and Voter Registration Department: 825 Memorial Dr; Griffin, GA 30224 and is open to the public. Unless otherwise indicated, tabulation will begin at 7:00pm on Election night.

Check my Voter Status and retrieve forms

Voters can go online at http://www.mvp.sos.ga.gov or download the GA Votes App to do the following:

Check their voter registration information and status
Check their polling location
Check their registration status
Check the status of an Absentee Ballot Application
Download an Absentee Ballot Application
Locate their elected officials
Register to vote (should be done prior to the Voter Registration Deadline)
View and download their sample ballot

Candidate Information Public Notice of Municipal Election City of Griffin

Pursuant to O.C.G.A. §21-2-131(a)(1)(A), the last day to fix and publish qualifying fees for offices to be filled during the 2019 Election Cycle is February 1. The City of Griffin has called for a Municipal Election to be conducted on Tuesday, November 5, 2019, for Districts 2 and 4, as well as the newly instituted office of Mayor which shall be in lieu of the At-Large Commissioner position for the City of Griffin Board of Commissioners as reflected in the City Charter amendment. These three, four (4)-year terms shall commence on January 1, 2020 through December 31, 2023.

Qualifying will begin on Monday, August 19, 2019 at 8:30 a.m. and continue through Friday, August 23, 2019 at 4:30 p.m. The notarized application and qualifying fee of $403.20 will be accepted at the Spalding County Office of Elections and Voter Registration, 825 Memorial Drive, Griffin, GA 30223

Public Notice of Municipal Election Orchard Hills

Pursuant to O.C.G.A. §21-2-131(a)(1)(A), the last day to fix and publish qualifying fees for offices to be filled during the 2019 Election Cycle is February 1. The City of Orchard Hill has called for a Municipal Election to be conducted on Tuesday, November 5, 2019, for 2 seats on the City Council. These two, four (4)-year terms shall commence on January 1, 2020 through December 31, 2023.

Qualifying will begin on Monday, August 19, 2019 at 8:30 a.m. and continue through Friday, August 23, 2019 at 4:30 p.m. The notarized application and qualifying fee of $126.00 will be accepted at the Spalding County Office of Elections and Voter Registration, 825 Memorial Drive, Griffin, GA 30223

Elected Official Information

Click here to view current Spalding Elected Officials

Campaign Contribution Disclosure Report Filing Periods

For candidates, candidate’s campaign committees, organizations or persons other than candidates Committee – (required by the State Ethics in Government Act for January 31, 2014 General Primary and General Election).

Candidates or campaign committees which accept contributions, make expenditures designed to bring about the nomination or election of a candidate, or have filed a declaration of intention to accept campaign contributions pursuant to subsection (g) of Code Section 21-5-30 (c) shall file campaign contribution disclosure reports in compliance with the following schedule:

In each non-election year on January 31 and June 30;
In each election year:
On January 31, March 31, June 30, September 30, October 25, and December 31.

Candidates who have completed an “Affidavit of a Candidate’s Intent Not to Exceed $2,500 In Contributions and /or Expenditures”, and does not exceed $2,500 in contributions or expenditures then the candidate SHALL not have to file a report under O.C.G.A. 21.5.34(c)

A supplemental report shall be filed by the office holder no later than December 31st of each year, following the year in which the election occurred. (O.C.G.A. § 21-5-34(e))

All candidates shall have a five-day grace period in filing the required reports.

If a run-off election is required following a primary, general, or special election, candidates in such an election shall make such reports six days prior to the run-off election and shall have a two-day grace period in filing the reports. (O.C.G.A. § 21-5-34(c))

All candidates in the General Primary Runoff and General Election Runoff shall have a two-day grace period in filing the required reports.