Voters in DeKalb County, Georgia, are being urged to make their voting plans early for the upcoming November 4, 2025, Municipal General and Special Election, as county officials roll out a slate of early voting sites and absentee ballot drop boxes. The announcement, made after the DeKalb Board of Registration and Elections (DeKalb BRE) approved the plans during its August 13 regular meeting, comes at a time when election integrity remains a hot-button topic both locally and nationally.
DeKalb Voter Registration and Elections (DeKalb VRE) has outlined a clear roadmap for voters, including ten early voting locations scattered throughout the county. Of these, six sites will also feature official absentee ballot drop boxes, making it easier for residents to securely cast their ballots ahead of Election Day. Key dates have been set to help voters stay on track: August 18 marks the first day to request an absentee ballot, October 6 is the registration deadline, the early voting window runs from October 14 to October 31, and October 24 is the last day to request an absentee ballot. The main event, of course, falls on November 4, when polls will be open for the official Election Day.
Keisha Smith, director of DeKalb Voter Registration and Elections, emphasized the importance of preparation. "Whether you choose to vote early, cast your ballot on Election Day, or use an absentee ballot, planning ahead ensures your voice is heard," Smith said, according to official county communications. She encouraged residents to familiarize themselves with early voting sites and drop box locations in order to participate "with confidence and ease." Smith’s message echoes a broader push for civic engagement and voter preparedness, particularly as election rules and processes continue to evolve.
The approved early voting locations span a diverse range of settings, from churches and libraries to university campuses. The full list includes Berean Christian Church, Bessie Branham Recreation Center, Beulah Missionary Baptist Church, the DeKalb VRE Office, Dunwoody Library, Emory University, New Bethel AME Church, North DeKalb Senior Center, Salem-Panola Library, and Tucker–Reid H. Cofer Library. Notably, the Berean Christian Church, Beulah Missionary Baptist Church, DeKalb VRE Office, Dunwoody Library, Salem-Panola Library, and Tucker–Reid H. Cofer Library will serve as the sites equipped with official absentee ballot drop boxes. This network is designed to give voters multiple convenient options for participating in the democratic process.
Information on voter registration, absentee ballots, and the specifics of early voting locations is available at the county’s official website, www.dekalbvotes.com, or by calling 404-298-4020. County officials hope that by making this information widely accessible, they can increase turnout and reduce confusion as Election Day approaches.
The local push for voter readiness arrives against a backdrop of heightened scrutiny over election procedures, a climate shaped in part by recent high-profile cases and the lasting effects of the 2020 presidential election. On August 16, 2025, federal government employee Tobi Jenelle Edler-Slaughter was arrested in Columbia County, Georgia, on charges of voting in both Georgia and Maryland during the 2020 presidential contest. The case, which has drawn attention from both state and national media, underscores the ongoing debate over election security and public trust in the system.
Edler-Slaughter, 49, turned herself in nearly a year after a Columbia County grand jury indicted her in September 2024 for voting as an unqualified elector. According to court documents and officials cited by The Augusta Press, she submitted an absentee ballot in Columbia County, Georgia, in October 2020 after requesting a Democratic primary ballot in September of that year. Days later, on October 31, she voted again in person during early voting in Fort Washington, Maryland. In both instances, she signed affirmations declaring she had not voted elsewhere, a requirement meant to prevent double voting.
Authorities say Edler-Slaughter is listed as "unaffiliated" on her voter registration and works for the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service in Anchorage, Alaska. Her federal biography reveals more than two decades of government service, including roles at the General Services Administration and the Department of Defense. She has also been recognized for her outreach and mentoring work, identifying as Native American and being active in community service.
The investigation into Edler-Slaughter’s voting activity began after the Georgia Secretary of State’s office received several voter fraud complaints following the 2020 presidential election. Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger’s office reported that in 2021 alone, 24 cases of alleged double voting or similar offenses were referred for prosecution. After turning herself in, Edler-Slaughter was booked into the Columbia County Detention Center, where she remained over the weekend. On Monday, Chief Judge Sheryl B. Jolly granted her a $40,000 bond, despite objections from prosecutors.
This case is just one thread in the larger tapestry of election integrity debates that have persisted since the 2020 presidential race. Then-President Donald Trump and many of his allies repeatedly claimed that the election was "stolen" through widespread voter fraud. However, as The Augusta Press and numerous national outlets have reported, dozens of lawsuits filed by Trump’s team were dismissed by state and federal courts—often for lack of standing or insufficient evidence. Multiple recounts and audits in battleground states, including Georgia, confirmed the original results and found no irregularities that would have changed the outcome. The Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) described the 2020 election as "the most secure in American history," while then-Attorney General William Barr stated that the Justice Department had uncovered "no evidence of widespread voter fraud."
Still, incidents like the Edler-Slaughter case are often cited by those who argue for stricter voting laws and more robust verification measures. Supporters of these changes say that even isolated cases erode public trust and justify reforms such as expanded voter ID requirements, tighter controls on absentee ballots, and increased penalties for fraudulent activity. On the other side, voting rights advocates caution that focusing on rare instances of fraud can lead to policies that inadvertently suppress turnout or create barriers for eligible voters, particularly among marginalized groups.
In the middle of these debates, local election officials like those in DeKalb County are tasked with balancing accessibility and security. By publicizing early voting sites and deadlines, and by maintaining transparent channels of communication, they hope to foster both participation and confidence in the process. As Smith put it, "planning ahead ensures your voice is heard"—a sentiment that resonates regardless of where one stands on the broader political spectrum.
With the November 4 election just around the corner, DeKalb County’s approach serves as a microcosm of the challenges and opportunities facing American democracy. The county’s efforts to streamline voting, combined with the ongoing national conversation about election integrity, highlight the importance of vigilance, transparency, and community engagement in safeguarding the right to vote.
As the election season heats up, all eyes will be on how DeKalb and other counties manage turnout, handle allegations of misconduct, and ensure that every eligible vote is counted. For voters, the message is clear: stay informed, plan ahead, and participate—because every ballot matters.
