The Athens-Clarke County Elections Department announced on May 7 the schedule for processing and tabulating absentee ballots and advance votes for the upcoming General Primary and Non-Partisan General Election set for Tuesday, May 19, 2026.
This notice informs voters about when their absentee ballots will be processed to ensure transparency in the election process. Processing will begin a week before Election Day and continue through Election Day itself.
According to the announcement, absentee ballot processing at the Athens-Clarke County Facilities Management Building at 2555 Lexington Road will occur from Tuesday, May 12 through Thursday, May 14 and again on Monday, May 18 between 2:00 p.m. and 5:00 p.m. On Election Day—Tuesday, May 19—processing will start at 4:00 p.m. and continue until completion. Early tabulation of absentee ballots cast and votes from advance voting is scheduled to begin on Election Day at two different times: absentee ballots at 4:00 p.m., with advance votes starting at 6:00 p.m.
The City of Athens operates as a consolidated city-county government that delivers municipal services including management of parks, facilities such as the restored Morton Theatre—which is listed on the National Register of Historic Places—and community programs across both Athens and Clarke County in Georgia, according to the official website.
These preparations reflect ongoing efforts by local officials to manage elections efficiently while providing unified public services throughout the consolidated area.
