Absentee Ballots
As a registered voter, you may obtain an absent voter ballot if you:
- Expect to be absent from the community in which you are registered for the entire time the polls are open on election day.
- Are physically unable to attend the polls without the assistance of another.
- Cannot attend the polls because of the tenets of your religion.
- Have been appointed an election precinct inspector in a precinct other than the precinct where you reside.
- Are 60 years of age or older.
- Cannot attend the polls because of confinement in jail awaiting arraignment or trial.
Your request for an absent voter ballot must be in writing and be submitted to the City Clerk. Your request must include one of the six statutory reasons stated above and your signature. You may request an absent voter ballot by downloading an Absentee Ballot Application Form (pdf file) from this web site, with a letter or post card, or you can obtain a pre-printed application form at the Clerk's Office.
Requests to have an absent voter ballot mailed to you must be submitted to the Clerk no later than 2 p.m. the Saturday before the election. Please remember to allow enough time for you to receive the ballot and to return it to the City Clerk's Office by 8:00 p.m. on election day. Once your request is received by the City Clerk, your signature on the request will be checked against your voter registration record before a ballot is issued. Requests for absent voter ballots are processed immediately. Absent voter ballots will be issued to you at your home address unless you specify a different mailing address. Signed ballots must be received by the City Clerk's office by 8:00 p.m. on election day to be counted.
If you received assistance voting the ballot, then, the signature of the person who helped you must also be on the return envelope. Only you, a family member or person residing in your household, a mail carrier, or election official is authorized to deliver your signed absent voter ballot to the Clerk's Office.
A person who registers to vote by mail must vote in person in the first election in which he or she participates. The restriction does not apply to overseas voters, voters who are handicapped or voters who are 60 years of age or older. (Voting in person on one governmental level clears the restriction on the other levels. For example, if a voter subject to the restriction votes in person at a school election, the voter would be free to obtain an absentee ballot for the first state election in which he or she wishes to participate.)
Contact the Clerk's Office if you need additional information on elections, absentee ballots or your voter registration.