FAQs for Absentee Voting

Unless a voter is disabled, only the voter or a designated family member (spouse, parents, siblings, children, grandparents, in-laws, or household members) can return an absentee ballot. A disabled voter may select any person of their choosing to deliver their ballot, other than their employer or an officer in their union.

• By Mail:

  • Must be postmarked no later than the day before Election Day (November 4).

  • Postmarked absentee ballots must be received by Boards of Election by the 4th day after the election (November 9)

  • If the ballot lacks a postmark or you would like to deliver it in person, it must be received by 7:30 p.m. on Election Day (November 5) at the Board of Election (see guidance for returning a ballot “In Person” below).

  • Voters are responsible for postage.

    • If you buy postage at a USPS customer service window or vending machine, the date on the label is the postmark. This is the USPS recommended way to postmark your ballot.

    • If you use stamps, ask at the post office that it be postmarked. You should not use a postage meter or an online service (such as stamps.com) to affix postage.

• You or a qualifying family member may deliver the ballot in person to the board of elections office using the secure drop box designated for returning ballots.

• Ballots must be delivered by the close of polls on Election Day to be counted.

• Do not return your ballot on election day at your polling place.