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.