Who may vote absentee?

If you will be absent from Franklin County on Election Day or are physically unable to vote in person and wish to vote an absentee ballot, you must meet one of the criteria below:

Student away at college
Spouse of a student away at college
Out-of-town on Business
Out-of-town on Personal Business or Vacation
Physical Disability
Primary Caretaker of a confined family member
Awaiting Trial
Convicted of a misdemeanor and confined
Electoral Board Member, Registrar, or Officer of Election
Active Duty of a U.S. Uniformed Service or the U.S. Merchant Marine
Spouse or Dependent residing with the above
Employed in business outside the continental limits of the U.S.
Spouse or Dependent residing with the above
Religious obligation.

How do I vote absentee?

There are two ways to vote absentee:

Absentee voting in person:

Voter must come to our office and show valid identification, fill out the absentee ballot application, then vote their ballot in the office.
All absentee ballots are counted election night.
You must submit an application for an absentee ballot for each election you will be voting absentee.

Absentee voting by mail:

STEP 1: The Absentee Ballot Application

Voter must first submit an application for an absentee ballot.
To request an application for an absentee ballot: call, write, fax, or e-mail our office. See Office Information.  You may also print an application from the following web link: www.sbe.virginia.gov
Applications for an absentee ballot may be received in person, by mail, or by fax.
Applications for absentee ballots must be received no later than 7 days prior to the election.

STEP 2: The Absentee Ballot

Once an application is on file, we will mail you an absentee ballot.
Ballots that have been mailed must be returned by mail or personally brought into the office by the voter.
Ballots may not be faxed to the voter or returned to us by fax.
Ballots are not available on the internet.
The absentee ballot must be witnessed by someone 18 years of age or older. It does not have to be notarized.
You must submit an application for an absentee ballot for each election you will be voting absentee.

When can I vote absentee?

In Person:

Absentee voting in person begins 45 days prior to each General Election
You will cast your vote at the Voter Registration Office.

By Mail:

We begin mailing absentee ballots 45 days before each general election; however, you may submit your application for an absentee ballot up to 10 months prior to the election.
The last day absentee ballots can be mailed from our office is 7 days prior to the election.
Ballots must be received by election day.

If I become hospitalized shortly before the election, can I vote?

Yes, if you are a qualified voter and you become hospitalized on or after the Thursday before an election. Or if you go to the hospital in the two weeks before an election and your condition prevents you from requesting an application sooner than the Thursday before the election. Before noon on the day before the election, call your registrar. Ask for an emergency absentee ballot application. Choose someone who is at least 18 years of age to deliver this application to you. Instructions for completion and deadline for return are provided with the application and ballot.