COBB COUNTY, Georgia. – A Cobb County judge has extended the deadline for absentee ballots mailed this week to be returned and counted. following delays attributed to equipment failure and an increase in last-minute requests.

Cobb County Superior Court Chief Judge Robert Flournoy approved an order Thursday, supported by four members of the Board of Elections and Registration and proposed by attorneys representing three voters affected by the issue.

The Cobb County Elections Department announced that approximately 3,200 absentee ballot applications were processed late due to an increase in applications before last Friday’s deadline and technical issues. The department sent these ballots by mail or overnight delivery, including prepaid express return envelopes.

“We appreciate that the court, the plaintiffs, and both political parties recognized the extraordinary efforts made by the Board of Elections and Registration to ensure that these ballots can be delivered, returned, and counted quickly,” said Board President Tori Silas.

According to the court order, absentee ballots mailed after October 30 will be counted if they are received by 5 pm on Friday, November 8 and postmarked by 7 pm on Election Day, November 5. . rights of those affected by delays.

“The agreement provides us with a solution that helps ensure the voting rights of those affected and provides the public with assurance that all those who want to cast their vote legally can do so,” Silas added.

Daniel White, representing the four Board members who supported her, expressed gratitude for the cooperative efforts: “My clients wanted a solution that would ensure these ballots were counted. We are grateful to the plaintiffs working with us on this solution. “My clients support the order and the relief it provides.”

The order includes several specific measures:

• The Board of Elections must mail absentee ballots with prepaid express return envelopes by the end of the day on November 1, 2024.
• The Department of Elections must separate ballots received after 7 pm on Election Day but before 5 pm on November 8 and place them in a secure container.
• Affected voters should be notified of the situation and court order by phone or email if contact information is available.
• The Department of Elections must provide a list of affected voters to all parties involved.

Voters who have not yet received their absentee ballots still have the option to vote in person on Election Day.