Absentee Ballots

You can vote absentee in any election if you are unable to vote in person because:

• You will be out of town on election day; or
• You have a religious observance that prevents you from voting in person; or
• You have a physical disability or illness that prevents you from voting in person; or
• You have an employment commitment or must care for an adult or child during the entire time polls are open; or
• You are confined in a penal institution for a conviction of a misdemeanor or while awaiting trial; or
• You are a member of the Attorney General’s Address Confidentiality Program or are protected by a Domestic Violence Protective Order; or
• The National Weather Service has issued a winter storm, blizzard, or ice storm warning for your town/ ward for election day, and you have concerns about safely traveling in the storm.

How to request an absentee ballot

If you qualify to vote absentee, you will need to complete an Absentee Ballot Application and return it to your local clerk. You can find contact information for your local clerk using our Voter Information Lookup.

After you have applied for an absentee ballot, you can use the Voter Information Lookup to find out if your clerk has received your request, when the absentee ballot was sent to you, and when your clerk received your completed absentee ballot.

The deadline to request an absentee ballot by mail is 12:00 p.m. the day before the election. The deadline to request in person is 5:00 p.m. the day before the election.

The United States Postal Service recommends putting your completed absentee ballot in the mail at least one week before the election. Therefore, if you rely on receiving and returning your absentee ballot by mail, you should request your ballot more than two weeks before election day.

How to register by mail

If you plan on voting absentee but are not registered to vote yet, you can request absentee registration forms and instructions from your clerk before requesting an absentee ballot. Use the Voter Information Lookup to find your local clerk’s information.

Deadlines for absentee ballots

Completed absentee ballots must be returned to your local clerk by mail or in person.

           Deadline by mail: 5:00 p.m. on election day.

           Deadline in person: By 5:00 p.m. the day before the election.

Accessible Absentee Voting

If you have a print disability, you may apply for an Accessible Electronic Absentee Ballot. Visit our Voting with Disabilities page for information on how to apply. 

Uniformed & Overseas (UOCAVA) Ballots

If you are a member of the military or living temporarily overseas, visit our UOCAVA page for voting Information.