How do I apply?
Write or go to the board of elections in your county and request an absentee ballot, giving the following information (an
absentee form (PDF) is available from your county board of elections for convenience, but is not required):
- Your name and voting residence.
- The election for which you are requesting a ballot.
- Your party choice if the election is a primary, or that you want to vote an issues-only ballot.
- The mailing address to which you want your ballot sent.
- Your signature.
- Date of Birth
- Form of Identification
Note: The absentee ballot request deadline is 3 p.m. on election day in the case of medical emergencies. To be eligible under this provision, you must be confined in a hospital because of a medical emergency. A close relative may deliver and return your ballot if you so request, and state the relative’s name and relationship on the application, or representatives of the board of elections can be requested to deliver the ballot.
Returning Ballot by Mail
If you return your ballot by mail, it must be postmarked no later than the day before election day and received by your county board of elections no later than 10 days after the election. If you return your ballot in person or if a near relative delivers it to the board for you, it must be delivered to your county board of elections no later than the close of the polls on election day.
Exception: Ballots mailed from out of the country will be counted if received by the board up to 10 days after election day, if post-marked by election day.