
Chattooga County residents who want to vote in the November 3 General Election have until Monday, October 5, to register to vote or update their voter registration information.

Chattooga County residents who want to vote in the November 3 General Election have until Monday, October 5, to register to vote or update their voter registration information.

Chattooga County voters will receive a newly designed “I Voted” sticker when they head to the polls for Georgia’s November general election.

When Chattooga County voters go to the polls in November, one of the local questions they will encounter concerns the continuation of a one-percent sales tax that has helped finance school construction, renovations, technology, security and other capital needs for nearly three decades.

Chattooga County voters will have a lengthy ballot when they head to the polls on Tuesday, November 3, with races ranging from the U.S. Senate and governor to the Georgia General Assembly, along with several state and local ballot questions.
Georgia’s sample ballots became available September 19, giving voters an opportunity to review the races and questions before early voting begins. Georgia law requires sample ballots to be posted at least 45 days before Election Day, and voters can view the ballot specific to their precinct through the Georgia My Voter Page.

With the November 3 General and Special Election approaching, the Chattooga County Elections and Registration Office is reminding local voters about several important upcoming deadlines.
The deadline to register to vote or make changes to an existing voter record, including a name or address change, is Monday, October 5. Georgia’s official 2026 election calendar confirms October 5 as the registration deadline for the November election.
Applications for an absentee-by-mail ballot are already being accepted. Chattooga County election officials say applications must be received no later than October 23. That deadline also appears on the Georgia Secretary of State’s official election calendar.
For most absentee voters, counties can begin mailing ballots October 5. Completed absentee ballots must be received by election officials by 7 PM on Election Day, Tuesday, November 3. Military and overseas voters are subject to different deadlines.
Another important date arrived this weekend. Under Georgia’s 2026 election calendar, September 19 is the deadline for election officials to post sample ballots for public viewing, 45 days ahead of the election. Voters can also access their sample ballot and other personalized election information through Georgia’s My Voter Page.
The November ballot will include the General Election along with local and state questions and races applicable to Chattooga County voters.

A newly highlighted vulnerability in Georgia’s voting system is raising concerns about whether it may be possible in some circumstances to determine how individual voters cast their ballots.

The Town of Trion is considering having Chattooga County conduct its November 3 election, rather than handling the election in-house.
Mayor Mickey McGraw told the Trion Town Council the move is primarily about saving money. McGraw said the town had not yet received written cost figures from the county, but early indications were that having Chattooga County run the election would be less expensive than Trion conducting it itself.
The council gave the first reading of an ordinance that would authorize Chattooga County to conduct the November 3 election. A second reading is expected in September before the measure can be finalized.
Town Clerk Missy Duncan clarified that the discussion is not tied to any council or school board races for re-election.
One council member also asked for confirmation that the Trion City School bond question had already been approved for placement on the November ballot. Duncan confirmed that it had.
McGraw said he would also speak with the Trion City School Board about helping with the cost of the election.
The town is now waiting for more detailed cost information from Chattooga County before moving forward with the arrangement.

Chattooga County voters who plan to vote by absentee ballot in the November 3 General and Special Election can now submit their applications.
According to Chattooga County Elections and Registration, absentee-by-mail applications must be received between August 17 and October 23, 2026.
The first absentee ballots will be mailed beginning October 5.
Completed absentee ballots must be received by the Registrar’s Office no later than 7 PM on Election Day, November 3. Officials say absentee ballots should not be turned in at Election Day polling locations. Ballots taken to a polling location on Election Day will be voided or cancelled and must instead be returned to the Registrar’s Office at 10017 Commerce Street in Summerville.
Different deadlines apply to voters covered under the Uniformed and Overseas Citizens Absentee Voting Act.
Voters with questions about absentee voting can contact Chattooga County Elections and Registration.

Georgia election officials say a new state audit found the state’s voter registration rolls have achieved a 99.9% accuracy rate when it comes to records that could potentially allow an ineligible or improperly verified individual to vote.

Chattooga County Tax Commissioner Joy Hampton is providing additional information about property tax exemption questions voters will see on the November ballot, including proposed changes affecting homeowners who are at least 70 years old on January 1, 2027.