Requesting an Absentee Ballot

Who Can Vote By Absentee?

If you are a qualified registered Hillsborough County voter, you are entitled to vote by absentee ballot.

Requesting An Absentee Ballot

An absentee ballot may be requested for a specific election or for all elections through the next two general elections. The request can be made in person, by mail, by fax (813-612-4199), or by telephone 813-612-4180. You can also request an absentee ballot on-line. If you would like to request an absentee ballot on line, click here. Only the voter or a designated member of his or her immediate family or legal guardian can request an absentee ballot for the voter. Immediate family means the voter's spouse or the parent, child, grandparent, or sibling of the voter or of the voter's spouse or legal guardian.

A request made through any of the above mentioned methods from the voter must include the following information:

• The name of the voter for whom the ballot is requested.
  
• The voter's address.
  
• The voter's date of birth.
  
• The voter's signature (written request only).

If the voter has designated an immediate family member or legal guardian to request an absentee ballot for him or herself, that designee must provide the above information in addition to the following:

• The requester's name.
  
• The requester's address.
  
• The requester's driver's license number if available.
  
• The requester's relationship to the voter.
  
• The requester's signature (written request only).

Obtaining Your Absentee Ballot

Absentee ballots are mailed approximately 30 days prior to each election to those voters who have requested an absentee ballot. Absentee ballots cannot be forwarded so it is important that the elections office is provided with a correct mailing address.

A qualified absentee voter may designate in writing another person to pick up an absentee ballot for the voter. Carry out ballots are available to a designee on election day or up to five days prior to the day of the election. The designee may only pick up two (2) absentee ballots per election other than his or her own, except for ballots picked up for members of his or her immediate family. The designee must provide picture identification, the written authorization from the voter and complete an affidavit.

If you have obtained an absentee ballot but wish to vote at an early voting location or in your precinct on Election Day, you must take the absentee ballot with you to the polls, whether or not it has been marked. However, if you are unable to return the ballot, you may be required to vote a provisional ballot.