Absentee Ballot Information
Who may vote absentee?
You may vote by absentee ballot under the following circumstances.
- You will be absent from the county on election day
- You are 62 years of age or older
- You or a family member will be hospitalized on election day
- You have a personal illness or physical disability that prevents you from getting to the polling location
- You are an election official or board of elections employee
- You cannot vote on election day because of a religious belief
- You will be in jail under sentence for a misdemeanor or awaiting trial on a criminal charge
- You are a full-time firefighter, peace officer or full-time provider of emergency medical services, which may prevent you from getting to the polling location
- You are on active duty in the state with the organized militia, which prevents you from getting to the polling location
How do I apply for an absentee ballot?
To request an absentee ballot, you may either:
- obtain an application from the Board
of Elections or call
(216) 443-3200 to have an application mailed to
you, or obtain an application
from your
local library, or
- write to the Board of Elections, 2925 Euclid Avenue, Cleveland, OH 44115, and include in your letter the following information:
YOUR NAME AND VOTING RESIDENCE
NAME AND DATE OF THE ELECTION in which you want to vote absentee (e.g. General Election, November 8, 2005)
Your REASON for voting absentee (see list above)
The ADDRESS you want the absentee ballot sent to, and
YOUR SIGNATURE and the date of your request.
Note: The absentee ballot request deadline in the case of medical emergencies is 3 p.m. on election day. To be eligible under this provision, you must be confined in a hospital because of a medical emergency. A close relative may deliver and return your ballot if you so request and state the relative`s name and relationship on the application, or representatives of the board of elections can deliver the ballot.
All voted absentee ballots must be received at the board office by 7:30 p.m. on election day in order to be counted. Voters should request an absentee ballot as early as possible in order to meet the return deadline.
Exceptions:
Ballots mailed by out-of-country civilians will be counted if received
by the board up to 20 days after a presidential primary, and 10 days
after any
other election, if post-marked or signed by election day.
Out-of-country armed service absentee ballots must be signed on or before close of polls and received by the board no later than 20 days after a presidential primary, and 10 days after any other election.