Absentee Voting

If you will be unable to get to the polling place on Election Day, you may download the Application for Absentee Ballot (GAB-121), complete and submit to the City Clerk prior to the election. Applications are also available at the front desk at City Hall. You must be a registered voter to apply.

If you are indefinitely confined because of age, illness, infirmity or disability, you may submit an application for absentee ballot and check the appropriate certification in section 5.  Ballots will automatically be sent to you for every subsequent election until you are no longer confined or fail to return a ballot for an election.   

What is an absentee ballot?
In some cases voters are unable to get to the polling place on election day.  An absentee ballot is a paper ballot marked by an absent voter, sealed in a special envelope and given or mailed to the municipal clerk.  The municipal clerk is responsible for the absentee ballot being delivered to the polling location on election day for processing.  If accepted, the absentee ballot is counted as if the voter had cast the ballot in person.

Who can request and receive an absentee ballot?
Any qualified elector.  A qualified elector is a United States citizen, 18 years of age or older, who has resided in the district in which he or she intends to vote for at least ten days prior to the election.  If registration is required, the elector must also be registered.

How does an elector request an absentee ballot?
The request is made to the municipal clerk in writing by using the Application for Absentee Ballot (EB-121) or by letter requesting an absentee ballot which substantially provides the information required on the application form.  The elector making the request must sign the application.

What are the deadlines for making a request?

• By mail – the request must be in the office of the municipal clerk no later than 5:00 p.m. on the Thursday preceding an election.  This is the last day a clerk can mail an absentee ballot to an elector. 

• In person – in the clerk’s office up to 5:00 p.m. on the day preceding the election. 

Special provisions are made for hospitalized electors and sequestered jurors to request and vote by absentee ballot on election day.

Are absentee ballots ever rejected?
Yes.  Along with meeting all the usual requirements, voters who vote by absentee ballot must follow special instructions in completing and signing the certificate on the ballot envelope, and having the certificate witnessed.  If any of these are not followed, officials at the polling place will have to reject the absentee ballot. 

What is the deadline for returning an absentee ballot?
The completed ballot must be received by the City Clerk's Office no later than 5:00pm on the day of the election so that it can be delivered to the polling location by 8:00pm.  A ballot may be also be delivered directly to a polling place prior to 8:00pm.