Answers to Your Questions
 

• What if I cannot get to my polling place or my County Clerk’s office to vote due to a medical condition or a disability?
  If you are unable to get to the polling place or your County Clerk’s office to vote early, then you can request an absentee ballot.
   

• What is an absentee ballot?
  An absentee ballot is a way for you to vote by mail if you are unable to travel to your polling place to vote. You must apply for an absentee ballot. You must specify the address in the county where you are a resident, plus an address where you are going to receive your absentee ballot. If the reason you are applying for an absentee ballot is due to an injury or disability, then the address where the ballot will be sent may be in the same county. However, if it for another reason, then the address must be outside the county.
   

• Where do I get the application?

  • You may get a copy from your County Clerk’s office, or

  • Download a copy from the website: http://www.sos.wv.gov/elections/
     

• When must the application be completed?
  Absentee voting requests can be made 84 days before the election. The application for an absentee ballot may be faxed to the County Clerk’s office.The County Clerk’s office will mail you the absentee ballot within one business day of its receipt of a valid application.
   

• When must I complete my absentee ballot?
  Hand-delivered ballots must be received by the day before the election.Mailed ballots should be postmarked by Election Day and received by the start of canvass (five days after the election, excluding Sundays).  Your County Clerk will begin mailing ballots the 46th day before the election. Once you receive your absentee ballot from your County Clerk, vote and return it soon as possible.
   

• Will I have to apply for an absentee ballot every election?
  Yes, you must apply for an absentee ballot every election; however, if you are permanently disabled, you may apply to be put on the permanent absentee voters list. To apply to be put on the permanent absentee voters list, a doctor’s statement must be sent in with the application. Please call your County Clerk’s office for more information.
   

• Is there a way to vote if an emergency causes me to be hospitalized or placed in a nursing facility and it was too late to apply for an absentee ballot?
  Yes, if you are unexpectedly hospitalized or placed in a nursing home 7 or less days before the election, you may request an emergency absentee ballot. The facility must be within the county where you are registered to vote. The County Clerk may elect to extend this to adjacent counties. Please call your County Clerk to request an emergency absentee ballot.