Absentee voting is available if you meet any of the criteria below. The last day to request an absentee ballot is 12 days before the election. You can return your absentee ballot request form through the mail, in person at your local elections office, or online. Voted ballots must be received by 6 pm (close of polls) on Election Day in order to be counted. You can sign up to track your absentee ballot on your Secretary of State website. Absentee ballots begin being counted on Election Day.  

If you wish to have your absentee ballot sent to you by mail, you must meet at least one of the qualifying excuses on Election Day:

• Have a specific, reasonable expectation that you will be absent from your county of residence on Election Day during the entire 12 hours that the polls are open (6:00 am to 6:00 pm)
• Be an election official
• Be confined on Election Day due to illness or injury during the entire 12 hours that the polls are open or caring for a confined person at a private residence.
• Be a voter with disabilities that believes their polling place is not accessible to them
• Be 65 years of age or older
• Be a caretaker of an individual(s) confined to a private residence due to illness or injury and prevented from voting during the entire 12 hours that the polls are open
• Be scheduled to work for the entire 12 hours that the poll is open
• Are prevented from voting due to observing a religious discipline or holiday during the entire 12 hours that the polls are open
• Be participating in the address confidentiality program
• Be a member of the military or public safety officer
• Be considered a "serious sex offender"
• Are prevented from voting due to not having transportation to the polls
• A voter who is physically unable to complete the ballot and sign the affidavit on their own

Requesting an Absentee Ballot:

If you are eligible to vote absentee, you must fill out the absentee voting application. You must submit your application for an absentee ballot at least 12 days before the election. If you are a confined voter or a voter caring for a confined individual, there are other deadlines and requirements that apply. 

ID Requirements for Requesting Absentee Ballot

NOTE: Starting in July 2023, when you request your absentee ballot using either the paper application or online, you will need to provide the last four digits of your social security number and either your driver's license number, state identification card number, unique voter identification number, or submit a photocopy of acceptable photo identification. If you fail to provide these ID numbers, you will have an opportunity to cure your request, but it may result in a delay in receiving your mail ballot. 

Voted ballots must be received by 6 pm (close of polls) on Election Day in order to be counted.

Those who requested an absentee ballot but end up voting in person may only do so on Election Day. A voter may not surrender their absentee ballot and vote in person during early voting. If your absentee ballot is lost, spoiled, or defective you can fill out the ABS-5 form (https://forms.in.gov/download.aspx?id=9942) and the election office will issue you a new ballot by mail or you can vote on a machine at early voting.