Oconee County elections directors outline advance voting dates, site and ID rules

Sharon Gregg, Oconee County Elections Director, and Jennifer Stone, the county's Assistant Elections Director, outlined the advance voting schedule, location and identification rules for the upcoming election.

"Advance Voting begins Monday, April 27 through Friday, May 15," Gregg said, adding that weekday hours will be 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. and the two Saturday sessions will be May 2 and May 9 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Officials said the Oconee County Administrative Building is the county’s only advance voting site.

The elections directors urged voters to bring a valid, government-issued photo identification. "Digital copies cannot be presented, only in physical format," Gregg said.

Inside the Administrative Building, staff will have sample ballots on hand and voters can also view sample ballots on the county website and at mvp.sos.ga.gov, the officials said. Gregg and Stone advised that, because the ballot is long, voters should wait while their paper ballot prints front and back and review both sides before casting it.

The directors reminded voters that electronic devices and cell phones are not allowed inside a polling place while voting is taking place, and that no campaigning is permitted inside the building or within 150 feet of the building’s outer edge.

Voters 75 or older and voters with disabilities may request to go to the front of the line by notifying a poll official, Gregg said.

The elections office also noted that the absentee ballot drop box is available only during advanced voting hours and is located at the Administrative Building's front entrance. For Election Day, voters should go to their assigned polling location; voters can find that information at mvp.sos.ga.gov or by calling the elections office.

"Our team and polling officials are here to make the voting process smooth, secure, and accessible for everyone," Gregg said. "Come out and vote. We look forward to seeing you."