ATLANTA (AP) - Absentee voting by mail in Georgia's 2012 presidential primary is now open.

Absentee voting by mail starts Saturday and voters can request a ballot through Friday, March 2. Georgia residents must return their absentee ballot to their county election office by close of polls on Election Day, March 6.

Absentee ballots cast overseas and military voters must be postmarked on or before March 6 but will be accepted until the end of business on March 9.

Voters are not required to provide a reason when requesting an absentee ballot, and can obtain a request form from the Secretary of State's website. Completed forms must be returned to the voter's county election office.

Citizens who are eligible to vote but have not yet registered may do so through Feb. 6. In person advance voting begins Feb. 13.