Absentee Voting

Absentee voter ballots are available for all elections.

Many registered voters are unable to vote in person at the polling place on Election Day. Here is general information regarding the correct procedures to follow in order to vote by absentee ballot:

Who may vote by absentee ballot?

• Registered voters expecting to be absent from the county/parish of residence on Election Day.

• Registered voters appointed to be judges of election in a precinct different from where they reside.

• Registered voters unable to be present at the polls because of a physical incapacity.

• Registered voters observing a religious holiday and unable to be present at the polls because of the tenets of their religion.

• Registered voters who because of election duties in the office of a state’s attorney, county clerk, a board of election commissioners or state board of elections will be unable to be present at the polls.

• Registered voters who are serving as sequestered jurors on a state or federal jury only.

• Registered members of the U.S. armed forces while on active duty and members of the Merchant Marines, as well as their spouses and dependents who expect to be absent from their county of residence on Election Day.

• State and federal employees who had a voting residence in the precinct at the time they entered employment but now reside elsewhere due to state or federal employment.

• A registered citizen temporarily residing overseas.

Did you know?

Absentee voters have the same obligations as those who vote in the polling place on Election Day. They must complete an application and vote their absentee ballot in secrecy.

The affidavits on the application and the ballot envelope must be signed. These affidavits attest to the accuracy of the information provided on the application. The affidavit on the envelope attests that the absentee voter is voting his/her own ballot in secret.

If the voter receives assistance in voting, the voter shall attest that due to physical incapacity, he/she received assistance in casting his/her absentee ballot. The name and address of the individual rendering the assistance must be placed on the ballot envelope certification.

Absentee voting procedure

When can you apply for an absentee ballot?

(Time frame may vary state by state).

• By mail, not more than 40 days or fewer than five days prior to the election.

• In person, not more than 45 days or fewer than one day prior to the election.

Note: Some voters, primarily those who are temporarily out of the country, may apply for an absentee ballot not fewer than 10 days prior to the election. Such a request shall entitle the applicant to an absentee ballot for every election in one calendar year in which federal offices are filed. Contact your election authority (county clerk or board of election commissioners) early for specific details if you plan to be out of the country. Absent members of the armed forces while on active duty may apply for an absentee ballot by fax machine.

Step 1

Obtain the proper application for absentee ballot either by mail or in person from your election authority (county clerk or board of election commissioners).

Step 2

Upon receipt, complete the application. Make certain to include your name, home address and the address where you want the ballot to be mailed and be sure to sign the application. (In primary elections you must state your party affiliation.)

Step 3

After completing the application, either mail it or deliver it yourself to your election authority. If you mail the application and it is properly completed, the election authority will mail your absentee ballot to you.

Step 4

After receiving your ballot, vote the ballot in secret. Insert the ballot into the envelope provided, complete and sign the certification on the back, and personally return it or mail it. (The absentee voter may authorize in writing a spouse, parent, child, brother, sister or a licensed motor carrier to deliver to the election authority the completed absentee ballot in sufficient time to be delivered to the polling place on Election Day.)
(Procedure may vary state by state.)