With Georgia’s November 3 General Election now just over six weeks away, Chattooga County voters have several important dates and deadlines coming up for voter registration, absentee ballots and early voting.

One of the first dates voters need to remember is Monday, October 5. That is the deadline to register to vote in the November General Election or to make an address change to a voter registration before the election.

October 5 is also the first day county election officials can begin mailing regular absentee ballots for the November election. Voters have already been able to submit applications requesting an absentee ballot since August 17.

Georgia does not require voters to provide a reason for voting absentee. Registered voters who meet the requirements can request an absentee-by-mail ballot rather than voting in person. The deadline to request an absentee ballot for the November election is Friday, October 23.

Early voting begins Tuesday, October 13. Normally advance voting would begin on the fourth Monday before the election, but the state election calendar notes that the 2026 starting date moves to the next business day because of the state holiday.

Georgia law also requires two Saturdays of advance voting. Those dates for the November election will be Saturday, October 17, and Saturday, October 24. Counties may additionally offer Sunday voting on October 18 and/or October 25.

The final day of advance voting will be Friday, October 30. After that date, voters who have not already cast a ballot will generally need to vote at their assigned polling location on Election Day.

Election Day is Tuesday, November 3. Polls across Georgia will be open from 7 AM until 7 PM. Voters who are in line by 7 PM are permitted to vote.

Voters can use the Georgia Secretary of State’s My Voter Page to check their voter registration information, locate their Election Day polling place, find advance voting information and view a sample ballot. The Secretary of State’s office says voters may cast an early ballot at any advance voting location within the county where they are registered, while Election Day voters must report to their assigned polling location.

Dates To Remember

October 5 — Voter registration and address-change deadline; regular absentee ballots begin being mailed.

October 13 — First day of early voting.

October 17 — Mandatory Saturday early voting.

October 24 — Mandatory Saturday early voting.

October 23 — Deadline to request an absentee-by-mail ballot.

October 30 — Final day of early voting.

November 3 — Election Day; polls open from 7 AM until 7 PM.