Absentee Ballot Voting


Absentee Ballot Voting is a process whereby qualified voters may cast their vote by means of a paper ballot prior to Election Day if they are unable to attend their polling place in person on Election Day. To vote by absentee ballot, a voter must apply to the county Board of Elections and complete an Absentee Ballot Application.


Absentee Ballots 


Who Is Eligible To Vote By Absentee Ballot?

Any registered voter (unless otherwise indicated) who will not be present in their municipality between the hours of 7:00 a.m. and 8:00 p.m. on Election Day may vote by Absentee Ballot. Any registered voter may apply for a Mail-in Ballot. Ballots may be mailed to: P.O. Box 2139 Lancaster, PA 17608.

Voters may drop off their own ballots at 150 N Queen St. Suite 117 Lancaster, PA 17603.




Civilian Electors


  • An individual and their spouse and dependents residing with or accompanying them who, due to his/her duties, occupation or personal business, expects to be absent from his/her municipality of residence during the entire period the polls are open for voting (This includes leaves of absence for teaching, vacations and sabbatical leaves.)
  • Any person who, due to an illness or physical disability, is unable to attend his/her polling place (A voter with a disability may have permanent absentee voter status.)
  • A spouse or dependent accompanying an individual employed by the Commonwealth or the federal government, whose duties, occupation or business on Election Day require them to be away from the Commonwealth or their municipality of residence
  • A county employee who expects that his/her Election Day duties relating to the conduct of the election will prevent the employee from voting, including all poll workers who are working in a district other than the one in which they reside
  • A person who cannot attend their polling place on Election Day because of the observance of a religious holiday
  • Any qualified civilian voter who is residing overseas

Military Electors

  • Any member of the armed forces, regardless of whether at the time of voting they are in the election district of residence or in the Commonwealth and regardless of whether they are registered to vote.
  • A spouse or dependent residing with or accompanying a member of the armed forces who expects to be absent from his/her municipality of residence during the entire period in which the polling places are open for voting may register to vote at the time of applying for an absentee ballot.
  • A member of the Merchant Marine and his/her spouse and dependents who expect to be absent from the municipality of residence during the entire period in which the polling places are open for voting may register to vote at the time of applying for an absentee ballot.
  • A member of a religious or welfare group attached to and serving with the armed forces and his/her spouse and dependents who expect to be absent from the municipality or residence during the entire period in which the polling places are open for voting may register to vote at the time of applying for an absentee ballot.
  • A qualified war veteran elector who is bedridden or hospitalized due to illness or physical disability, if absent from the municipality of residence and unable to attend his/her polling place because of such illness or disability, regardless of whether he/she is registered to vote.