Absentee Ballot Application & Requirements

Absentee ballot application requirements vary depending on the elector's category of eligibility. Registered voters may be eligible for an Absentee Ballot if:

• If a voter will be away from his/her municipality of residence because of occupation, business or duties;
• If a Voter is away from home at a school, college, or university;
• If a voter will be unable to go to the polls because of illness or disability;
• If a voter must observe a religious holiday; or
• If a voter is a county employee with duties on Election Day relating to the conduction of the election.

Where to Get an Absentee Ballot Application:

An absentee elector must file an application for an absentee ballot prior to each primary and election in which he/she is eligible to vote by absentee ballot. Applications for absentee ballots are available by phoning the county Board of Elections at 215-686-3469 0r 215-686-3943. Those interested in applying for an absentee ballot may also pick up an application in person, or may submit a written request to: County Board of Elections, Room 142 City Hall, Philadelphia, PA 19107.

Absentee Ballot Application Deadline

Applications for Absentee Ballots MUST be received by the County Board of Elections no later than 5:00 PM the Tuesday before an election. Postmarks are NOT honored; applications must be in the office before the deadline.

Emergency Absentee Ballot Applications

If an emergency (an unexpected trip or illness, for example) arises after the deadline for applications, an "emergency application" may be obtained from the Board of Elections, either in person, or by mail or messenger. The applicant must attest to the fact of the emergency before a notary public. Emergency applications MUST be received no later then 5:00 p.m. the Friday before the election. Postmarks are NOT honored; the application MUST be in the office of the County Board of Elections.

Return of Absentee Ballots

All Absentee Ballots must be returned by MAIL or in PERSON by the VOTER. No unauthorized agent is permitted to return Absentee Ballots.

Deadline for Returning Absentee and Emergency Ballots

All Absentee Ballots and Emergency Absentee Ballots must be RECEIVED by the County Board of Elections no later then 5:00 PM the Friday before an Election. Postmarks are NOT honored; the ballots MUST be in the office of the County Board of Elections.

Alternative Ballot Requirements

If you are a registered voter who is disabled or age 65 or older AND who is assigned to an inaccessible polling place, you are qualified to vote using an Alternative Ballot.

How to Determine if your Polling Place is Accessible

Contact the County Board of Elections in Room 142, City Hall by phoning 215-686-3469.

Where to Obtain an Alternative Ballot Application

An Alternative Ballot may be obtained for any election, upon your request on an Alternative Ballot Application. Alternative Ballot Applications may be obtained at the County Board of Elections in Room 142, City Hall or by contacting 215-686-3469 VOICE, or TTY/TDD through the AT&T Relay System. TDD users may utilize this service by calling 1-800-654-5984 and telling the communications assistant they want to speak to the Pennsylvania Bureau of Elections at 717-787-5280.

Deadline for Alternative Ballot Applications

Alternative Ballot Applications by mail must be submitted to the County Board of Elections not later than 7 days before the election.

Deadline for Alternative Ballots

Alternative Ballots must be returned to the County Board of Elections no later than the close of the polls, at 8:00 PM on Election Day. Postmarks are NOT honored; the ballots must be in the office of the County Board of Elections.

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