What We Do

The Elections and Registration Office is responsible for assuring all citizens of Effingham County who wish to participate in the democratic process are properly registered and understand the process to follow to cast their vote.  It is our mission to assist all citizens in the elections and registration process; conduct accurate, fair, and honest elections; and maintain registration and election records.

2012 Election Dates with Registration Deadlines

         Election                               Election Date        Registration Deadline     Early Voting
Presidential Preference Primary     March 6                      February 6              February 13
General Primary                            July 31                        July 2                      July 9
   Possible Primary Runoff             August 21                                                     TBD
General Election                            November 6               October 8               October 15
   Possible General Runoff              December 4                                                 TBD  

Possible Special Election Date:        September 18           August 20                  TBD

Absentee Ballots by Mail may be requested 180 days prior to each election.  Ballots will be mailed not less than 45 days prior to each election.

Voter Registration Deadline

Citizens wishing to participate in the elections listed above must be registered to vote by the deadline indicated for each election.  Voter registration forms can be obtained at the Elections and Registration Office or from the Secretary of State website: http://sos.georgia.gov/elections/voter_registration/voter_reg_app.htm.


Absentee Voting

Mail-In Absentee Voting
Not more than 180 days prior to the date of the primary or general election, or runoff of either, voters may request to receive a mail-in absentee ballot.  Voters can request an absentee ballot from the Board of Elections and Registration Office or download an absentee ballot application form through the Secretary of State website: www.sos.ga.gov/elections.   A request for an absentee ballot application may be submitted by mail, telephone, fax, or in person at Elections and Registration Office. 

All requests must be received by the close of business on the Friday prior each election.  Absentee ballots must be returned to our office at 284 GA Highway 119 South, Springfield, Georgia, by the close of polls on Election Day.  Photo identification is not required when voting by mail. 
 
EarlyVoting
For 21 days prior to a primary or general election or as soon as practicable for a runoff, voters can cast their ballot in person at either of the Early  voting locations 
(listed below) during regular business hours.  Both locations will be open for voting on the second Saturday prior to each General Primary and General Election from 9:00 am until 4:00 pm.  Voters must complete an application form and provide one of the 6 forms of acceptable ID. 
                                           Early Voting Locations: 
                            Board of Elections and Registration Office
                              284 GA Highway 119 South - Springfield, GA
                                     Old Marlow Elementary School
                                4752 GA Highway 17 South - Guyton, GA 
                                                              
My Voter Page   
                                               
My Voter Page is a service offered on the Secretry of State website at http://www.sos.georgia.gov/MVP/Login.aspx.  On this website, the voter can access important information on Voter Registration Status, Mail-in Application and Ballot Status for absentee voting, Poll Location, Early Voting Locations, Elected Officials, Registration Information on file with your County Office, Sample Ballots for Upcoming Elections, and Forms for and information on How to Register To Vote.  Other information on this page includes Georiga Voter ID, Stop Voter Fraud, and Georgia Vote Safe as well as the opportunity to view Election Results.
  
Polling Place

To locate your polling place for election day, use the My Voter Page on the Georgia Secretary of State web site.  Click here to use the tool.  Once you have entered your personal information, this site will provide you with the name and address of your polling place for Election Day.  You can access other information indicated above as well as obtain a map to your polling location.