Step by Step Guide on How to Vote by Mail
Step 1: Complete an ABS-Mail application before each election
To obtain this application:
The application to request a vote-by-mail ballot must be received no later than 11:59PM, 12 days before the election. It is important to note that the county or the state must have the application in their possession by this deadline. If the application is received after this deadline – even if it’s postmarked before the deadline – it cannot be processed.
Step 2: Mail your application to the local election office
Voters can deliver or mail their application to the Absentee Voters office at least 12 days before election day.
Step 3: Receive your Absentee-By-Mail Ballot
When your application is reviewed and approved by bi-partisan county election officials, a ballot packet is mailed to you.
Step 4: Sign your signature on signature line on return envelope
If you have assistance with marking your ballot or placing your ballot in the envelope and sealing it, be sure the assistor signs the ballot envelope on the line under the voters signature line. A voter’s power of attorney (POA) may attest to the voter’s signature but is to enclose their POA with the ballot materials inside the security envelope and complete the affidavit found on the absentee return envelope.
Step 5: Return your Absentee-By-Mail Ballot
County election officials must receive an absentee-by-mail ballot no later than noon (local prevailing time) on Election Day. County election officials must have possession of the ballot by this deadline. Even if it is postmarked on or before the date of the election, ballots cannot be considered timely.
To obtain this application:
- Voters can download and print the ABS-Mail Form from the Indiana Secretary of State website
- Voters can call the Vigo County Absentee Voters office at (812) 462-3235 for an application to be mailed to the voter
- Voters can visit their county election office or election division to pick-up an application in-person
- Voters can visit Indianavoters.com to complete an ABS-Mail application electronically.
The application to request a vote-by-mail ballot must be received no later than 11:59PM, 12 days before the election. It is important to note that the county or the state must have the application in their possession by this deadline. If the application is received after this deadline – even if it’s postmarked before the deadline – it cannot be processed.
Step 2: Mail your application to the local election office
Voters can deliver or mail their application to the Absentee Voters office at least 12 days before election day.
Step 3: Receive your Absentee-By-Mail Ballot
When your application is reviewed and approved by bi-partisan county election officials, a ballot packet is mailed to you.
Step 4: Sign your signature on signature line on return envelope
If you have assistance with marking your ballot or placing your ballot in the envelope and sealing it, be sure the assistor signs the ballot envelope on the line under the voters signature line. A voter’s power of attorney (POA) may attest to the voter’s signature but is to enclose their POA with the ballot materials inside the security envelope and complete the affidavit found on the absentee return envelope.
Step 5: Return your Absentee-By-Mail Ballot
County election officials must receive an absentee-by-mail ballot no later than noon (local prevailing time) on Election Day. County election officials must have possession of the ballot by this deadline. Even if it is postmarked on or before the date of the election, ballots cannot be considered timely.
Information on Absentee Voting
Reasons for Requesting an absentee vote-by-mail ballot.
Contact the county election office directly to determine office hours.
You are to deliver or mail your application to the election official no later than the application deadline. Physical addresses to the county election boards are found on the back of the ABS-Mail application.
Guidelines required for assistance completing your mail in application.
Only a power of attorney can sign the application for the voter and a copy of the POA paperwork should be attached. If the voter has assistance completing the form, Section 6 of the application should be completed by the assistor. The person providing the assistance may not be the voter’s employer or union representative and must complete the affidavit of assistance found on the application. If the assistor is the voter’s power of attorney (POA), the POA paperwork should be submitted with the application.
Return your Absentee-By-Mail Ballot.
County election officials must receive an absentee-by-mail ballot no later than noon (local prevailing time) on Election Day. County election officials must have possession of the ballot by this deadline. Even if it is postmarked on or before the date of the election, ballots cannot be considered timely. In pursuant to state law, only the voter, the voter’s attorney-in-fact, a bonder courier, or a member of the voter’s immediate household may hand-deliver a completed absentee ballot to the county election board. Any person other than the voter doing so is to complete the ABS-19 affidavit.
Absentee/Mail In Ballots CANNOT be returned to a vote center.
- You have a specific, reasonable expectation that you will be absent from the county on Election Day during the entire 12 hours that the polls are open (6 a.m. until 6 p.m.).
- You have a disability.
- You are at least 65 years of age.
- You will have official election duties outside of your voting precinct.
- You are scheduled to work at your regular place of employment during the entire 12 hours that the polls are open.
- You will be confined due to illness or injury
- You will be caring for an individual confined due to illness or injury during the entire 12 hours that the polls are open.
- You are prevented from voting because of a religious discipline or religious holiday during the entire 12 hours that the polls are open.
- You are a participant in the state's address confidentiality program.
- You are a member of the military or a public safety officer.
- You are a "serious sex offender" as defined in Indiana Code 35-42-4-14(a).
- You are prevented from voting due to the unavailability of transportation to the polls.
Contact the county election office directly to determine office hours.
You are to deliver or mail your application to the election official no later than the application deadline. Physical addresses to the county election boards are found on the back of the ABS-Mail application.
Guidelines required for assistance completing your mail in application.
Only a power of attorney can sign the application for the voter and a copy of the POA paperwork should be attached. If the voter has assistance completing the form, Section 6 of the application should be completed by the assistor. The person providing the assistance may not be the voter’s employer or union representative and must complete the affidavit of assistance found on the application. If the assistor is the voter’s power of attorney (POA), the POA paperwork should be submitted with the application.
Return your Absentee-By-Mail Ballot.
County election officials must receive an absentee-by-mail ballot no later than noon (local prevailing time) on Election Day. County election officials must have possession of the ballot by this deadline. Even if it is postmarked on or before the date of the election, ballots cannot be considered timely. In pursuant to state law, only the voter, the voter’s attorney-in-fact, a bonder courier, or a member of the voter’s immediate household may hand-deliver a completed absentee ballot to the county election board. Any person other than the voter doing so is to complete the ABS-19 affidavit.
Absentee/Mail In Ballots CANNOT be returned to a vote center.