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Absentee By Mail
No excuse is needed to vote an absentee ballot by mail. Following are the steps to vote an absentee ballot by mail.
Absentee voting by mail begins 60 days before a General Election, 50 days before a Primary Election and 30 days prior to a Municipal Election. If a second Primary is necessary absentee ballots will be available as quickly as possible after the ballot information for the election has been determined. Requests must be received in the Scotland County Board of Elections office by 5 p.m. on the Tuesday before the election.
If you have any questions, please call the Scotland County Board of Elections at 910-277-2595.
Absentee voting by mail begins 60 days before a General Election, 50 days before a Primary Election and 30 days prior to a Municipal Election. If a second Primary is necessary absentee ballots will be available as quickly as possible after the ballot information for the election has been determined. Requests must be received in the Scotland County Board of Elections office by 5 p.m. on the Tuesday before the election.
Step 1
To receive an absentee by mail ballot, the voter or the voter's near relative or legal guardian must use the State Absentee Ballot Request Form. The Absentee Ballot Request Form can be picked up at the County Board of Elections office or printed from the county and/or the state board's website. Note - the State Board of Elections approved absentee request is the only one that is acceptable by law. Also, note if requested by a near relative, they must state their relationship to you, their address, and they must sign it. If it is for a primary, state your party affiliation.Step 2
Upon receipt of the absentee ballot request form, fill it out completely. Make sure you fill it out correctly and it is signed by the voter, near relative, or verifiable legal guardian. In primary elections you must state your party affiliation. If you send in or drop off a request, make certain to include your name, home address, and address where you want the ballot mailed. If it is requested by a near relative, they must state their relationship to you, their address, and they must sign it. If it is for a primary, state your party affiliation. Once the completed request form is received and checked, a ballot will be mailed to you.Step 3
After receiving your ballot, in the presence of one witness, the voter should mark the ballot, or if unable to mark the ballot, shall cause the ballot to be marked according to the voter's instructions. Insert the ballot in the envelope and seal, fill out the envelope completely, sign it and have your witness to complete and sign in the space designated as Witness Certification. You or a near relative can drop off the ballot envelope at the Board of Elections office or you can mail it. Absentee ballots must be returned to the Board of Elections by 5 p.m. on the day before the election.Step 5
Before returning your ballot, check and check again to make sure the return envelope is filled out completely with all the information that is required. If it is not filled out properly, your ballot may not be counted.If you have any questions, please call the Scotland County Board of Elections at 910-277-2595.