Any qualified elector may vote by absent voter’s ballot for an election.

How do I apply?

·        You may appear in person at the Board Office, apply and vote approximately 35 days prior to an election.

·        You may print and complete the application for an absentee ballot  available online and mail it to the Board of Elections.     

·        You may call the Board of Elections and request that an application for an absentee ballot be mailed to you.

      The following applications are available:

	Application for Absent Voter's Ballot
	Application for Absent Voter Ballot by Voter Requiring Assistance or Voter Hospitalized because of Accident or Medical Emergency
	Application by Relative for Absent Voter Ballot for Member of the Organized State Militia
	Application for Armed Service Absent Voter Ballot
	Application by Relative for Armed Service Absent Voter Ballot

·        You may write to the Board of Elections and request an absentee ballot, giving the following information :

The following information must be included on your application or a ballot will not be issued to you.

	Your name and home address.
	The election for which you are requesting a ballot.
	Your date of birth.
	One of the following:

ü	Your driver’s license number; or
ü	The last four digits of your social security number; or
ü	A copy of your current and valid photo identification or a copy of a current utility bill, bank statement, government check, paycheck, or other government document that shows your name and address.

	If the election is a primary, your party choice, or that you want to vote an issues-only ballot.
	The mailing address to which you want your ballot sent.
	You must state that you are a qualified elector.
	Your signature.

What are the deadlines for voting an absentee ballot?

·         The last day ballots will be mailed is 3 days prior to an election (Saturday before Election Day).  All applications must be received by the Board of Elections not later than 12:00 p.m.

·         The last day absentee voting is available at our office is the Monday prior to an election by 4:30 p.m.

·         The deadline to request an absentee ballot for voters hospitalized for medical emergencies is 3:00 p.m. on Election Day.  Representatives of the Board of Elections will deliver ballots to voters hospitalized within the county.

·         Voted absentee ballots must be received at the Board Office by 7:30 p.m. on Election Day in order to be counted.  Ballots mailed from out of the country will be counted if received by the Board up to 10 days after the election, if post-marked by Election Day, or for the Presidential Primary Election, up to 20 days after the election.

Note: Voters should request an absentee ballot as early as possible in order to meet the return deadline.

How do I return my absentee ballot?

·         Absentee ballots can be mailed to the Board of Elections using regular postage.

·         Absentee ballots can be hand delivered to the Board of Elections by you or a close relative.

 Armed Service Absentee Voting

Who may vote using the armed service absentee ballot?

If you are serving in the U.S. armed forces on active duty outside the state, you, your spouse and dependents may vote by an armed service absentee ballot if you otherwise meet the requirements for voting in Ohio. Your spouse and dependents may vote by an armed service absentee ballot only if they left Ohio to be with you.

What is the voting residence of a service member?

That place where you resided when you first entered the service, unless you later establish a voting residence elsewhere in Ohio.

Must armed service absentee voters register?

No.

How do I apply for an armed service absentee ballot?

You, your spouse or a close relative may request the Board of Elections to mail or fax a ballot to you. Application may be made in person or by mail or fax. An Ohio application form or a federal post card application may be used for convenience, but neither is required; however, all mail requests must include the following information:

	Your name and voting residence.
	A statement that you are serving in the U.S. armed forces on active duty or are the spouse or dependent of a service member.
	The election for which a ballot is requested.
	Your date of birth.
	One of the following:

ü	Your driver’s license number; or
ü	The last four digits of your social security number; or
ü	A copy of your current and valid photo identification or a copy of a current utility bill, bank statement, government check, paycheck, or other government document that shows your name and address.

	If the election is a primary, your party choice, or that you want to vote an issues-only ballot.
	The mailing address or fax number to which you want your ballot sent.
	Signature of person requesting ballot