Permanent Absentee Voters

Voters who are unable to vote in person due to medical disability may request to be permanent absentee voters. Permanent absentee voters, unlike other absentee voters, do not have to request absentee ballots for every election. Instead, the Election Commission will automatically send these voters simplified applications to vote by mail.

How Does Permanent Absentee Voting Work?

Before every election, the Election Commission will mail you an application for absentee ballots. If you would like to vote in the upcoming election, sign the form and mail it back to the Election Commission.

If you sign and return the application indicating that you would like to vote, the Election Commission will mail you a ballot prior to Election Day. You must complete this ballot and mail it back to the Election Commission. The Election Commission must receive your ballot on or before Election Day for your vote to be counted.

If you indicate that you do not wish to vote, or if you do not return the application, the Election Commission will not mail you a ballot for that election. You will remain on permanent absentee status, and the Election Commission will mail you a new application to vote before the next election.


Who is Eligible to Become a Permanent Absentee Voter?

Registered voters who are medically unable to appear at their polling places on Election Day and are medically unable to go to the Election Commission during early voting are eligible to become Permanent Absentee Voters.


How May I Request Permanent Absentee Status?

You must have your licensed physician complete and file a Physician's Statement with the Election Commission. By completing and signing this statement, your physician swears under penalty of perjury that, in his/her judgment, you are medically unable to vote in person.


When Should I File My Physician's Statement?

You must file the Physician's Statement with the Election Commission at least seven (7) days prior to the first election in which you would like to vote by mail.

Please keep in mind that voting by mail takes some time. The Election Commission must mail and receive your application, and must then mail your ballot; you must complete and return your ballot by mail, and the Election Commission must receive your completed ballot on or before Election Day for your ballot to be counted (an Election-Day postmark is not sufficient). Please plan the timing of your request accordingly.