Stephens County Registrar urges residents to avoid sending absentee ballots through the mail

Stephens County Registrar Eureka Gober is advising residents wishing to vote by absentee ballots to avoid sending ballots through the United States Postal Service.

On Friday, Gober told WNEG News that she received several mail-in ballots post marked for October 6; however, she didn’t receive the ballots until October 15.

Gober explains that because it took so long for her office to receive those absentee ballots that she is afraid that those mailing their ballots in won’t be delivered until after the November 3 deadline.

She recommends that instead of mailing your absentee ballots through the postal service, you should use the Ballot Box located in front of the Stephens County Government Building or to drop them off at the Stephens County Registrar’s Office.

Gober says the Ballot Box is checked twice daily, so residents should feel confident in knowing the Registrar’s Office will receive the ballot.

Additionally, Early voting is ongoing in Toccoa-Stephens County.

Early voting began on Monday, October 12, and Gober says, during the first week, 3,462 residents have come in to cast advance ballots.

She says all advance voting will be done at the Stephens County Registrar’s Office inside the Historic Stephens County Courthouse.

Early voting will continue Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. until 5 p.m. daily through Friday, October 30.

Gober says the Registrar’s Office will be open on Saturday, October 24, from 9 a.m. until 4 p.m. for one day of Saturday voting for residents who are unable to cast an early ballot during the week.

Anyone wishing to vote by absentee ballot can still request an application for one by calling the Registrar’s Office at 706-886-8954.

All absentee ballots are due back to the Registrar’s Office no later than 7 p.m. on November 3.

For questions regarding early voting contact Gober by calling 706-886-8954.