SPRINGFIELD, Ga. — The ballot is set for Effingham County’s Nov. 3 general election, giving voters a month to prepare for Election Day and early voting.

Laura Bassett, director of Effingham County Elections and Registration Services, said the final piece of the ballot fell into place Sept. 21 with the certification of two write-in candidates.

James Daniels was certified as a write-in candidate for Effingham County Commission District 5, where Phil Kieffer is the only candidate whose name appears on the printed sample ballot.

Mary Joe Press also was certified as a write-in candidate for Effingham County Soil and Water Conservation District supervisor. No candidate qualified for the position, Bassett said.

Because Daniels and Press are write-in candidates, their names will not appear on the printed ballot. Voters who want to vote for either candidate must select the write-in option and enter the candidate’s name.

The November election is a general election, so all voters receive the same general-election ballot. The local races on each ballot depend on where the voter lives.

That means a composite sample ballot may show several county commission races, but voters will see only the race for the district in which they live.

Key dates

• Oct. 5: Voter registration deadline. Absentee ballots begin being mailed.
• Oct. 13: Early voting begins at the Effingham County Elections Office, 284 State Highway 119 S., Springfield. Hours are 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
• Oct. 17 and 24: Saturday early voting, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
• Oct. 23: Deadline to request an absentee-by-mail ballot.
• Oct. 30: Last day of early voting.
• Nov. 3: Election Day. Polls are open from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.

The Elections Office is the county’s early-voting location. On Election Day, voters must go to their assigned polling place.

Bassett encouraged voters to make a plan and not wait until the last few days to vote.

“The last Friday (of early voting) is always the busiest,” Bassett said. “So, if you come before the last Friday, you know, less wait time, whatever it might be.”

Voters who plan to vote on Election Day also should make sure they know where to go.

“If you're going to go on Election Day, know where you go on Election Day,” Bassett said. “You have to go to your correct local polling place on Election Day.”

Mail voting stays the same

Bassett said a recent U.S. Supreme Court decision means Effingham County election officials can continue using the same absentee-by-mail proceduresthey have been using.

That means voters who choose to vote by mail will not face changes to the process in the middle of the election.

“As election officials, our priority is making sure voters have a clear, consistent and secure process for casting their ballots,” Bassett said. “The Supreme Court’s decision provides stability for the 2026 election by allowing election officials to continue following the established procedures for absentee-by-mail voting rather than having to implement significant changes in the middle of an election cycle.”

Bassett said changes to the way absentee ballots are requested, mailed or processed would require careful planning.

“Having consistent procedures is important for both voters and election officials,” she said.

She encouraged voters who choose to vote by mail to request their ballots early, follow the instructions that come with the ballot and return it as soon as possible.

“Voting by mail is a convenient option for voters who are unable to or prefer not to vote in person,” Bassett said. “Voters should request their absentee ballot early, carefully follow the instructions included with the ballot, and return it as soon as possible to allow plenty of time for it to be received by the Elections Office.”

Check your ballot

Voters can check their individual sample ballot through Georgia’s My Voter Page, or MVP.

The site also allows voters to check their registration and find their polling place.

Bassett said voters can print their sample ballot, mark it privately and bring it with them to the polling place as a reference.

The composite sample ballot available for publication (below) shows every possible Effingham County district race. Voters should check MVP to see which races will actually appear on their ballot.

Bassett said she expects strong interest in the November election.

“I have a feeling we're going to have a big turnout for this one,” she said.

The Effingham County Elections and Registration Office can be reached at 912-754-8030.