Request an Absentee Ballot

An individual who is unable to attend their polling place in person on Election Day may be eligible to vote by absentee ballot.

A first-time voter who plans to vote by absentee ballot must provide a copy of a driver's license or any other type of acceptable ID.

Voters ineligible for an absentee ballot may choose to apply for a Mail-in Ballot.

To obtain an absentee ballot application:

• Ensure you are registered to vote. Voter registration may be confirmed here.
• Option 1: Apply online
• Option 2: Apply by mail
  Download and print an Absentee Ballot Application, then mail it to the County Election Office. The return address is indicated on page two of the Absentee Ballot Application. Send all applications to PO Box 2139 Lancaster, PA 17608.
• Option 3: Apply in person at 150 N. Queen Suite 117 Lancaster, PA 17603.
• For Military and Civilians Overseas Electors, click here.

Applying for an Absentee Ballot

An application by letter or other document must be signed by the voter and must include the same information as required on forms provided by the Secretary of the Commonwealth. The County Board of Elections must receive mail applications no later than 5 p.m. on the Tuesday before Election Day.

Submitting an Absentee Ballot Application

Excepting military and civilian voters who require an emergency application for absentee ballot, an absentee ballot application must be completed, signed by the voter, and received by the County Board of Elections no later than 5 p.m. on the Tuesday before Election Day.

Deadline to Return a Voted Absentee Ballot

Voted absentee ballots must be returned to the County Board of Elections no later than 8:00 p.m. on Election Day.

Unless a voter is disabled and needs assistance to deliver an absentee ballot to the Board of Elections through a designated agent, it is not permissible under Pennsylvania law for anyone other than the voter to hand-deliver an absentee ballot to the Board of Elections. Delivery of absentee ballots cast by voters who are not disabled may be delivered only through the U.S. Mail service or by the voter in person.

Designating an Agent

If you are eligible to designate another person to assist you in delivering a completed absentee or alternative ballot, print, complete, and return the following forms to the County Board of Elections:

Voter ID Law Provisions for Absentee Electors

Voters must indicate their PA Driver's License number, Penn DOT ID# or the last four digits of their Social Security number on their application or provide a copy of an acceptable photo ID when applying for an absentee ballot.

Identification will be verified by the County Board of Elections before the voter's ballot will be counted. If ID is not able to be verified at the time of application, voters have six days following an election to provide the necessary identification.

Uniformed and Overseas Citizens Absentee Voting Act (UOCAVA) voters and voters affected by the Voting Accessibility for Elderly and Handicapped Act are exempt from ID verification.