Absentee Voting

Absentee Voter Information

Requesting an Absentee Ballot by mail

Affidavit to Obtain an Absentee Ballot

Frequently Asked Questions

Q      Who is entitled to vote by absentee ballot?

A   Anyone registered to vote can request and vote an absentee ballot.

Q     How may a person request an absentee ballot?

A   A voter may request an absentee ballot for either all elections in a calendar year or for a specific election by sending a signed letter to the Supervisor of Elections office. Voter must supply their name, residence address, and date of birth. While written requests are preferred, a voter may also call the elections office to request a ballot. (filling out the above form completely qualifies)

Q     Is there a deadline for requesting an absentee ballot?

A   Yes, A request for a ballot to be mailed to a voter must must allow enough time for the Supervisor to prepare and mail the ballot, and the voter must be able to return the voted ballot to the Supervisor’s office by 7 p.m. on election day.

Q     When are absentee ballots available?

A   Absentee ballots are available approximately three to four weeks prior to each election.

Q     Where do I mail the absentee ballot when completed?

A    Supervisor of Elections
229 S.W. Pinckney Street
Court House Annex Room 113
Madison, FL 32340

Q     May a person other than the voter request an absentee ballot?

A   Only the voter, a member of the voter’s immediate family or legal guardian may request an absentee ballot. If a family member or legal guardian requests the ballot, they must provide their name, address, Florida Driver License number, if available, and relationship to the voter.

Q     Can absentee ballots be sent to any address?

A   No: Changes to Florida Statutes enacted in 1998 state that ballots must be sent by non-forwardable mail to the voter’s current mailing address on file with the Supervisor. Exceptions are: (1) The voter is away from Madison County and does not plan to return before election day; (2) The voter is in a hospital, nursing home, etc; or (3) The elector is temporarily unable to occupy the residence because of a natural disaster (hurricane, fire, etc). Simply stated, we can mail a ballot to any address if the voter is away from his/her residence, but the ballots are non-forwardable, so the voter must be at this address when the ballot arrives. Military and overseas voters ballots may be sent by forwardable mail.

Q     Are there any other options?

A   Yes: Any qualified and registered elector may vote in the Supervisor of Elections offices beginning on the 15th day before election day.

Q     May I pick up a ballot for another person?

A   You may pick up an absentee ballot for another person if: (1) The request is made no earlier than the fourth day prior to election day; (2) You have a letter signed by the voter giving you authority to pick up a ballot; (3) You present picture ID of yourself; and (4) You sign an affidavit.

Q     May I pick up absentee ballots for my three neighbors?

A   No: For each election you may pick up absentee ballots for only two people other than yourself, unless they are members of your immediate family.

Q     What are the restrictions on returning voted absentee ballots?

A   None: As of January 1, 2002 , all restrictions on returning voted absentee ballots have been lifted.

Q     May I use a courier service such as FEDEX or UPS?

A   Yes.

Q     How many people vote by absentee ballot?

A   Absentee ballots normally account for 5 -11% of all ballots cast.

Q     Are all absentee ballots counted?

A   Unless an absentee ballot is rejected as illegal by the Canvassing Board, the ballot is counted.

Q     What would cause an absentee ballot to be rejected as illegal?

A   An absentee ballot will be rejected if: (1) It is not signed by the voter; (2) Ballot is not properly witnessed; (3) Witness fails to include all information (e.g. address) required by Florida Statutes; or (4) Ballot is not returned to elections office by deadline ( 7 pm on election day.)

Q     Will an absentee ballot be counted if it is postmarked on election day?

A   An absentee ballot can be counted only if it is received in the Supervisor’s office by 7 p.m. election day and is otherwise valid.

Q     May a candidate look through the absentee ballots which are returned?

A   A candidate (as well as any member of the public) may be present when the absentee ballots are being canvassed and while they are being opened. However, only the Supervisor, her employees, or the Canvassing Board shall handle any official ballot (F.S. 101.572)

Q     Where may I obtain additional information about absentee ballots?

A   You may call the office of the Supervisor of Elections at 850-973-6507.

To become a permanent absentee voter, call the Office of the Supervisor of Elections (850) 973-6507.
[F.S. 101.67(2) and 101.6103(2)]

Note: Voted absentee ballots can not be accepted at polling places. They must be returned to the Supervisor of Elections offices by 7 PM on Election Day.

If you have additional questions about absentee voting please call or come by the Supervisor of Elections office. We will be happy to assist you.

Frequently Asked Questions

A Anyone registered to vote can request and vote an absentee ballot.

Q How may a person request an absentee ballot?

A Yes, A request for a ballot to be mailed to a voter must must allow enough time for the Supervisor to prepare and mail the ballot, and the voter must be able to return the voted ballot to the Supervisor’s office by 7 p.m. on election day.

A Absentee ballots are available approximately three to four weeks prior to each election.

A Supervisor of Elections
229 S.W. Pinckney Street
Court House Annex Room 113
Madison, FL 32340

A Only the voter, a member of the voter’s immediate family or legal guardian may request an absentee ballot. If a family member or legal guardian requests the ballot, they must provide their name, address, Florida Driver License number, if available, and relationship to the voter.

A Yes: Any qualified and registered elector may vote in the Supervisor of Elections offices beginning on the 15th day before election day.

A You may pick up an absentee ballot for another person if: (1) The request is made no earlier than the fourth day prior to election day; (2) You have a letter signed by the voter giving you authority to pick up a ballot; (3) You present picture ID of yourself; and (4) You sign an affidavit.

A No: For each election you may pick up absentee ballots for only two people other than yourself, unless they are members of your immediate family.

Q What are the restrictions on returning voted absentee ballots?

A None: As of January 1, 2002 , all restrictions on returning voted absentee ballots have been lifted.

A Unless an absentee ballot is rejected as illegal by the Canvassing Board, the ballot is counted.

A An absentee ballot will be rejected if: (1) It is not signed by the voter; (2) Ballot is not properly witnessed; (3) Witness fails to include all information (e.g. address) required by Florida Statutes; or (4) Ballot is not returned to elections office by deadline ( 7 pm on election day.)

Q Will an absentee ballot be counted if it is postmarked on election day?

A An absentee ballot can be counted only if it is received in the Supervisor’s office by 7 p.m. election day and is otherwise valid.

A A candidate (as well as any member of the public) may be present when the absentee ballots are being canvassed and while they are being opened. However, only the Supervisor, her employees, or the Canvassing Board shall handle any official ballot (F.S. 101.572)

Frequently Asked Questions

A Anyone registered to vote can request and vote an absentee ballot. Q How may a person request an absentee ballot?

A Yes, A request for a ballot to be mailed to a voter must must allow enough time for the Supervisor to prepare and mail the ballot, and the voter must be able to return the voted ballot to the Supervisor’s office by 7 p.m. on election day.

A Absentee ballots are available approximately three to four weeks prior to each election.

A Supervisor of Elections 229 S.W. Pinckney Street Court House Annex Room 113 Madison, FL 32340

A Only the voter, a member of the voter’s immediate family or legal guardian may request an absentee ballot. If a family member or legal guardian requests the ballot, they must provide their name, address, Florida Driver License number, if available, and relationship to the voter.

A Yes: Any qualified and registered elector may vote in the Supervisor of Elections offices beginning on the 15th day before election day.

A You may pick up an absentee ballot for another person if: (1) The request is made no earlier than the fourth day prior to election day; (2) You have a letter signed by the voter giving you authority to pick up a ballot; (3) You present picture ID of yourself; and (4) You sign an affidavit.

A No: For each election you may pick up absentee ballots for only two people other than yourself, unless they are members of your immediate family. Q What are the restrictions on returning voted absentee ballots?

A None: As of January 1, 2002 , all restrictions on returning voted absentee ballots have been lifted.

A Unless an absentee ballot is rejected as illegal by the Canvassing Board, the ballot is counted.

A An absentee ballot will be rejected if: (1) It is not signed by the voter; (2) Ballot is not properly witnessed; (3) Witness fails to include all information (e.g. address) required by Florida Statutes; or (4) Ballot is not returned to elections office by deadline ( 7 pm on election day.)

Q Will an absentee ballot be counted if it is postmarked on election day?

A An absentee ballot can be counted only if it is received in the Supervisor’s office by 7 p.m. election day and is otherwise valid.

A A candidate (as well as any member of the public) may be present when the absentee ballots are being canvassed and while they are being opened. However, only the Supervisor, her employees, or the Canvassing Board shall handle any official ballot (F.S. 101.572)

A Anyone registered to vote can request and vote an absentee ballot.

Q How may a person request an absentee ballot?

A Supervisor of Elections
229 S.W. Pinckney Street
Court House Annex Room 113
Madison, FL 32340

A No: For each election you may pick up absentee ballots for only two people other than yourself, unless they are members of your immediate family.

Q What are the restrictions on returning voted absentee ballots?