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DeKalb County, GA — Starting Monday, Dec. 14, voters can cast their ballot in the upcoming Jan. 5 runoff election.

The election features two races for United States Senate, which could determine which party controls the Senate, as well as a race for the state’s Public Service Commission. Voters also can cast their absentee ballot by using one of several drop boxes provided by DeKalb County. To see a list of dropbox and early voting locations, click here.

Early voting will end on Dec. 31. Hours during the week are generally 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. There will be some opportunities for weekend voting as well. For a complete schedule, click here.

Here’s what to do if you’ve requested an absentee ballot and haven’t received it yet.

1. Contact the Board of Registration

Call the Dekalb County Board of Registration at 404-371-2000 and ask to be connected to the Voter Registration and Election Department.

2. Track Your Mail or Sign an Affidavit

The employee at the Voter Registration and Election Department will help you track your absentee ballot the same way a package in the mail is tracked. If they cannot locate your absentee ballot, you’ll then have to sign an affidavit, which will cancel the first ballot. An absentee ballot will then be reissued to you.

The deadline for turning in absentee ballots is 7 p.m. on Jan. 5.

If you’ve received your absentee ballot but you’d rather vote in person, bring your absentee ballot with you when you vote in person and give it to the poll worker. You will then be permitted to cast your ballot at the voting booth. If you requested an absentee ballot but haven’t received it, you will be asked to sign an affidavit saying you wish to cancel your absentee ballot and vote in person.

For an FAQ on voting in DeKalb County, click here.

Unlike on Election Day, you do not have to vote at a specific polling place during early voting. To vote in-person during early voting, you’ll need to bring a valid photo ID such as a driver’s license, passport, or voter identification card, according to georgia.gov.

You have to be 18 to vote.

People who wish to vote early and in-person will need to bring one of the following forms of identification, according to the Georgia Secretary of State’s office:

– Any valid state or federal government-issued photo ID, including a free ID Card issued by your county registrar’s office or the Georgia Department of Driver Services (DDS)

– A Georgia Driver’s License, even if expired

– Valid employee photo ID from any branch, department, agency, or entity of the U.S. Government, Georgia, or any county, municipality, board, authority or other entity of this state

– Valid U.S. passport ID

– Valid U.S. military photo ID

– Valid tribal photo ID

The polls offer audio ballots for voters who are blind or have low vision and booths for voters in wheelchairs. If you need help with your ballot, you can ask a family member or friend to come with you to the polls and fill the ballot in with your choices.

Please vote in the Jan. 5 runoff election.

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