Absentee Ballot Deadlines

Requesting a ballot

• In person: After absentee ballots are available for voting, a Uniformed and Overseas Citizens Absentee Voting Act (UOCAVA) voter may go to his or her county board of elections office or other designated location during regular business hours until the close of polls on Election Day and cast a ballot at the board office or other designated in-person voting location. Please note that if you are a UOCAVA voter voting in-person on the day before Election Day or on Election Day, you may vote only at the office of your county board of elections.
   
• By mail: Beginning January 1 of any year, or 90 days before the date of an election, whichever is earlier, you may mail your properly-completed absentee ballot application bearing your signature to the board of elections of the county in which your voting residence is located. The board must receive your request by noon on the Saturday before the election. However, you should submit your request as far in advance of the election as possible to ensure there is sufficient time for the board to mail you a ballot and for you to timely return that ballot.
   
• By fax: If you are an individual eligible to vote under UOCAVA, you may fax your absentee ballot request to the board of elections of the county in which your voting residence is located. The board must receive your request by noon on the Saturday before the election. You may request that the board fax your ballot to you, but you must return your marked ballot by mail.
   
• By e-mail: If you are an individual eligible to vote under the UOCAVA, you may e-mail your absentee ballot request to the board of elections of the county in which your voting residence is located. The board must receive your request by noon on the Saturday before the election. You may request that the board e-mail your ballot to you, but you must return your marked ballot by mail.

UOCAVA ballots may be returned:

1. By U.S. Mail: The return envelope containing your marked ballot must be submitted for mailing no later than 12:01 a.m. on Election Day and received by the board of elections no later than 10 days after the election.
2. In person, either by you or an eligible family member: Your marked ballot, which must be sealed in the completed and signed identification envelope provided with the ballot, must be delivered to the board of elections office no later than 7:30 p.m. on Election Day.
   
   (Note: Voted ballots may be returned by mail only. If a voted ballot is returned by fax or e-mail, it may not be accepted, processed, or counted.)