Georgia Supreme Court Stays Extension for Cobb County to Receive and Count Absentee Ballots

Marietta, GA (Nov. 4, 2024) — The Georgia Supreme Court issued an order on Monday staying a Cobb County judge’s extension to allow absentee ballots to be received through Friday. The judge had granted the extension last week after Cobb County’s Elections Department mailed out approximately 3,400 absentee ballots via express mail just days before the election.

The order in Republican National Committee et al. v. Naomi Ayota et al. requires that all absentee ballots be returned to Cobb County Elections at 995 Roswell St., Marietta by 7 p.m. on Tuesday.

“The Cobb County Board of Elections is aware of and will comply with the Georgia Supreme Court’s order granting a stay,” said Board of Elections and Registration Chairwoman Tori Silas. “However, because the order only addressed to the motion for a stay, we will anticipate the Supreme Court’s final ruling to see whether it ultimately allows these voters additional time to return their ballots or whether we must only count those received by the close of polls on Tuesday.”

The Georgia Supreme Court’s order mandates that Cobb Elections keep all absentee ballots from the affected group that arrive after the deadline “in a secure, safe, and sealed container, separate from other ballots,” pending further court hearings.

Cobb Elections cited a surge of last-minute absentee ballot requests and an equipment failure as reasons for the delay. Voters who requested an absentee ballot but are concerned it will not arrive in time can still vote in person at their assigned precinct on Tuesday. To find their precinct, voters can visit the state’s My Voter Page at https://mvp.sos.ga.gov/s/.