Return your ballot

If you got your absentee ballot in the mail, there are a few ways to return it. 

Return your ballot by mail

• Voters in the U.S. can use the postage paid envelope that came with your ballot to return it.
• Voters overseas or in the military will need to pay for the postage in many cases.
• Mail the ballot as soon as possible to leave time for postal processing.
• Within a week of Election Day, consider dropping off the ballot instead.
• Election officials must receive the ballot by Election Day--being postmarked before Election Day does not count.

Drop your ballot off yourself

• You may drop off your own ballot no later than 5 p.m. on Election Day.
• Return the ballot to the office that sent the ballot, during office hours.
• Some jurisdictions have a special Ballot Drop Box that can be used 24 hours a day.
• DO NOT bring your absentee ballot to a polling place on Election Day.

Have someone else drop your ballot off

• A person can drop off ballots for up to three other voters.
• A person will need to show identification with name and signature when returning a ballot for someone else.
• Return the ballot to the office that sent the ballot, during office hours, or by 5 p.m. on Election Day.
• If you are using the Agent Delivery process, the ballot can be returned as late as 8 p.m. on Election Day.

If you are in a city or town that votes by mail

Some cities and towns vote by mail--they send ballots to every registered voter instead of having an Election Day polling place. Ballots sent to voters this way may be dropped off at the election office as late as 8 p.m. on Election Day.