ATLANTA — Georgia Secretary of State Karen Handel encouraged Georgians to request an absentee ballot for the July 15 general primary election and the Nov. 4 general election.

Registered voters in Georgia can request an absentee ballot for the general primary and the general election beginning Thursday.

“We will likely see high turnout in this year’s general primary and general election. That could mean extended wait times at some precincts,” Handel said. “Absentee voting is a convenient way for voters to exercise their civic duty without having to visit a polling place on Election Day.”

Registered voters can request an absentee ballot from their county registrar by completing the application located on the Secretary of State’s Web site: http://www.sos.ga.gov/elections/ElectionCenter08.htm.

Voters then submit the form to their county registrar by mail or fax. Contact information for county registrars can be found at: http://www.sos.ga.gov/elections/ElectionCenter08.htm.

Voters can request an absentee ballot beginning 180 days prior to an election without providing a reason. Absentee ballots will be mailed 45 days prior to federal, state and county elections and 21 days prior to elections featuring only municipal candidates.

Voters must submit a separate absentee ballot application for each election, unless they are physically disabled, of advanced age, or exempted by the Uniformed and Overseas Citizens Absentee Voting Act.

Voters participating by absentee ballot by mail are not required to provide photo identification. Absentee ballots must be received by the county registrar by Election Day.

Georgians with more questions regarding elections and absentee ballots can call the Secretary of State’s Elections Division at (404) 656-2871 or visit http://www.sos.ga.gov/elections/.