Voter ID: What's New?

At this time, voters must show ONE of the forms of government-issued photo ID set forth at ShowIt2Vote.com to vote absentee in person or a regular ballot on Election Day. 

YOU CAN USE AN EXPIRED QUALIFYING PHOTO ID AS LONG AS IT EXPIRED AFTER NOV. 3, 2020.

Voters who do not have a qualifying ID as shown at ShowIt2Vote.com can cast a provisional ballot on Election Day that a bipartisan team at the Election Board can validate via signature matching.

Reasons for Voting Absentee

You can vote absentee before Election Day if you expect to have ONE of the following reasons:

• Absence on Election Day from your election jurisdiction (like being out of town).  If voting absentee by mail, your signature on ballot return envelope must be NOTARIZED;

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• Incapacity or confinement due to illness or physical disability, including a caregiver in the same household who is primarily responsible for the physical care of a person who is incapacitated or confined due to illness or disability (NO NOTARY REQUIRED);

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• Religious belief or practice (ballot envelope signature must be NOTARIZED);

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• Employment as a first responder, healthcare worker, law enforcement, or as an an election worker (ballot envelope signature must be notarized)

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• Incarceration, provided all qualifications for voting are retained (NO NOTARY REQUIRED); or

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• Certified participation in the Safe At Home address confidentiality program established under sections 589.660 to 589.681 because of safety concerns.

Voters who are PERMANENTLY DISABLED may also apply for permanent absentee by mail status by filling out the form below. This status means that voters will automatically get an APPLICATION for an absentee ballot

before every election, and

no notary is required on

 the ballot return

envelope.

 Permanent Absentee Status 

 Your Absentee by Mail   Ballot: Things to Know  

Absentee ballots cast for a health- or disability-related reason DO NOT require voters to have the signature on the ballot return envelope notarized,  but most other absentee ballots require a notarized signature. Need to find a notary?  Check with your election authority office or local library.  Banks and UPS stores also often have notaries on staff. Notary services for the signature on a ballot return envelope should be free.

Need help filling out your ballot?  You can have someone help you with your ballot, but your helper MUST fill out the assistance statement on the ballot return envelope (along with assisting you in completing all the other required information on the return envelope) in order for the ballot to be counted.

Don't cover up or mark out your return address or any bar codes on the return envelope, as that information is needed to help verify your ballot. Don't worry--the ballot inside will still be private!​

DEADLINE: Your ballot must be RECEIVED by the election authority by 7pm on Election Day.  Late-arriving ballots will not be counted. Completed ballots may be returned to your election authority by mail or in person by the voter or a close relative.  If you choose mail, mailing can take up to 7-10 days, so plan ahead!

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Ballot lost, damaged, or never received?

You can fill out a Lost Ballot Affidavit at your local election authority office or at your polling place on Election Day & cast a regular (not provisional) ballot.

Running late or changed your mind about voting absentee?

You can surrender your ballot and vote in person instead.     Need more help?  Call or text the Election Protection Hotline at 1-866-OUR-VOTE.