Although the county election board can accept applications for absentee ballots until 5 p.m. Wednesday, Howard urged voters who want to vote by absentee ballot to apply early. The county election board must mail the ballots to the voter, and the voter must return the voted ballots by mail. To be counted, ballots must be in the hands of the county election board by 7 p.m. on election day.
Applications are available at the county election board office.
Howard said that any registered voter may vote by absentee ballot in any election in which he or she is eligible to vote. It is not necessary to give a reason or excuse for voting absentee. By stating the following reasons on their application, these voters can activate some special conditions that make it easier for them to use absentee ballots. Voters who are physically incapacitated and voters who care for a physically incapacitated person who cannot be left unattended, may vote absentee. These voters may apply only by mail.