Judge Orders Cobb County Officials to Express Mail Over 3,000 Delayed Absentee Ballots
County must accept absentee ballots of affected voters postmarked by Election Day and received by November 8.
础罢尝础狈罢础听鈥斅燜ollowing an emergency lawsuit filed by the American Civil Liberties Union, ACLU of Georgia and Southern Poverty Law Center, a judge has聽ordered聽Cobb County election officials to take immediate corrective action to protect the voting rights of more than 3,000 affected voters. Cobb County must now overnight mail all delayed absentee ballots, including express return, ensuring these ballots are received by voters as soon as possible. The court also ordered that these ballots are to be counted if they are postmarked by Election Day and聽received by 5 p.m. on November 8.
聽has extended its hours for absentee ballot returns at its headquarters this weekend. Voters can return their ballots to 995 Roswell St., Marietta, from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Saturday, Nov. 2, 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Sunday, Nov. 3, 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Monday, Nov. 4, and 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Election Day, Tuesday, Nov. 5.
The lawsuit was filed after Cobb County admitted to a significant error, failing to send over 3,000 absentee ballots on time despite requirements under state law mandating ballots be mailed within three days of application processing. The court鈥檚 decision grants critical relief to voters who otherwise faced potential disenfranchisement due to these delays.
鈥淭he ruling to extend the deadline for ballot receipts is a significant win for Cobb County voters using absentee ballots. Our clients and more than 3,000 similarly situated voters will now receive an overnight ballot in the mail, and the extension will ensure that their ballots are properly received and counted,鈥澛�says Poy Winichakul, senior staff attorney, voting rights, Southern Poverty Law Center. 鈥淭hrough litigation efforts such as this one, we are fighting to protect the ability of voters to exercise their freedom to vote and shape the future of their communities and the nation.鈥澛�
鈥淲e commend the court for prioritizing the voices of over 3,000 Cobb County voters who deserve to have their ballots counted,鈥� said聽Theresa J. Lee, senior staff attorney at the ACLU鈥檚 Voting Rights Project.鈥淭his decision helps voters who followed the proper procedures to now have a chance to participate in this election, despite the county鈥檚 unfortunate administrative errors.鈥�
鈥淲e are grateful for the quick action of the judge to protect the rights of these Cobb County voters who followed all the rules to cast an absentee ballot,鈥� said聽Andrea Young, executive director, ACLU of Georgia.
罢丑别听initial lawsuit聽argued that Cobb County鈥檚 failure to send ballots on time was compounded by restrictive provisions in Georgia鈥檚 S.B. 202, a law that reduces the time window for requesting and distributing absentee ballots and puts increased pressure on local election officials. By mandating expedited mailing and allowing for ballots to be counted if received by 5 p.m. on November 8, the court鈥檚 order provides urgent relief to ensure that voters impacted by the delays will not lose their right to vote due to administrative challenges.
The ACLU, ACLU of Georgia and 人兽性交 remain committed to fighting for fair and equitable voting rights for all Georgians and will continue monitoring the situation in Cobb County to ensure that all ballots are delivered and counted.
A copy of the judge鈥檚 order can be found here.
