Absentee Voting

Who can vote absentee?
Any registered voter who, for any of the following reasons, is eligible to vote an absentee ballot:
  • Students, their spouses and dependents residing with them
  • Members of the Armed Forces, Merchant Marines, Red Cross, USO, government employees, their spouses and dependents residing with them 
  • For reasons of employment will not be able to vote on election day
  • Physically disabled persons 
  • Persons on vacation 
  • Persons age 65 or older 
  • Persons admitted to the hospital as emergency patients on day of election or at least four days prior to the election 
  • Electors with a death or funeral in the family within 3 days before the election 
  • Persons confined to a jail or pre-trial facility pending disposition of arrest or trial 
  • Persons attending sick or physically disabled persons 
  • Certified poll watchers and poll managers

When can I apply for an absentee ballot?
Voters can begin applying as early as January 1 to vote absentee for any election held during that same year.

How do I request an absentee ballot?
You may request an absentee ballot in person, by phone (except authorized representatives), by mail, or by contacting your county voter registration office in the county in which you are registered. Find your county office and contact information.

Who can request an absentee ballot application?
A voter, a member of the voter's immediate family, or an authorized representative may request an absentee ballot.  An authorized representative is a registered voter who, with a voter's permission, can request an absentee ballot application on behalf of a voter who qualifies because of illness or handicap.  Candidates and paid campaign workers may not serve as an authorized representative.

When should I return my absentee ballot application?
If applying by mail, the county voter registration office must receive your application no later than four days prior to the election.  If you wish, you may apply and vote in person up until 5:00 p.m. the day before the election.

Can I apply for an absentee ballot and vote on the same day?
If the ballots are prepared, you can vote on the day you submit your absentee ballot application.

Can I authorize anyone to return my ballot for me?
To have your absentee ballot returned by a person other than yourself, it is necessary for the absentee voter to compete an "Authorization to Return Absentee Ballot Form."  The absentee voter will complete Part I and the person returning the ballot will complete Part II of the form.  Candidates and paid campaign workers may not return absentee ballots except for an immediate family member.

Is there a special envelope I need to use to return the ballot?
Your completed absentee ballot must be placed in the "Ballots Herein" envelope provided with your absentee ballot.  The "Ballots Herein" envelope will then be placed inside a "Return Envelope" which you must sign and have witnessed before returning.

If you qualify for absentee voter status and would like to learn more, click here.