Judge orders Georgia to extend deadline for absentee ballots

ATLANTA (AP) — A federal judge has ordered Georgia to extend its deadline for accepting mail-in ballots for November’s general election from the close of polls on Election Day until three days later.

Georgia law says absentee ballots must be received by the close of polls on Election Day.

U.S. District Judge Eleanor Ross on Monday ordered that deadline extended until 7 p.m. three business days later, as long as they are postmarked by Election Day.

The secretary of state’s office says it plans to immediately appeal the ruling.