(2)For purposes of this paragraph, compensation means any form of monetary payment, goods, services, benefits, promises or offers of employment, or any other form of consideration offered to another person in exchange for returning another voter's vote by mail ballot. Political groups and campaigns from both parties have run ballot-collection programs with the goal of boosting turnout and helping older, homebound, disabled or rural voters get their ballots returned. Elections are never perfect. The law places restrictions on who can assist eligible voters. It's. (B) An authorized agent receiving an absentee ballot from a voter shall deliver the absentee ballot directly to the county clerk. Any person assisting a voter shall complete the voter assistance form.". No. In that instance, the authorized messenger shall personally deliver the absentee ballot to the precinct superintendent of the voter's home precinct. Mail ballots take the form of absentee ballots and ballots cast in vote-by-mail states. The voter's employer, an agent of the voter's employer, or an officer or agent of the voter's union may not act as a representative for the voter. election.[3]. Any such person designated by the voter shall sign a statement that such person has not exercised undue influence on the voting decisions of the voter and agrees to deliver the ballot as directed by the voter[.] from the applicant to receive the ballot or according to requirements set forth for ), it is unlawful to do any of the following: (a) Vote or attempt to vote more than once in any election; or, (b) Purloin or secret any of the votes cast in any election.[3]. the county clerk by United States mail or by depositing the ballot at the office of the county clerk, at The 4-3 decision from the state's high court determined unsupervised drop boxes are illegal. Defiance County: 1300 E. Second St., Defiance. A candidate for office at an election may not act as a representative for a voter in the election.". Additionally, your county or city may have other locations, which you can find on your county or city's website. The representative shall deliver the ballot and voter certificate to an election official not later than 8:00 p.m. Alaska time on election day. Notwithstanding subdivision (d), a ballot shall not be disqualified from being counted solely because it was returned or mailed more than three days after the designated person received it from the voter, provided that the ballot is returned by the designated person before the close of polls on election day. It also states that the third person cannot have more than five absentee ballots outstanding at a time. Can I drop off someone else's ballot in a ballot drop box (such as my spouse or friend's ballot)? An absent voter ballot received by the clerk or assistant of the clerk after the close of the polls on election day will not be counted. In a 6-3 ruling, the court held that the law did not violate the Voting Rights Act and was not enacted with a racially discriminatory purpose. (d) (e) Carrier envelopes may not be collected and stored at another location for subsequent delivery to the early voting clerk. (c) For example, some states, like Arizona, only allow caregivers, family members or household members to drop off a ballot for someone else. That election was overturned. To an immediate family member or to a 3rd person if the absentee ballot was requested by telephone or by electronic means; [2011, c. 534, 17 (AMD).] (3) For a person who is present and knows that a person is voting an absent voter ballot to suggest or in any manner attempt to influence the absent voter on how he or she should vote. (b) Deliver the envelope personally to the office of the clerk, to the clerk, or to an authorized assistant of the clerk. The below map features the location of all drop boxes (board of elections offices) around Ohio: Athens County: 15 S. Court St., Athens (drop boxes located at front and back entrances) Cuyahoga County: 2925 Euclid Ave., Cleveland; 2nd ballot drop-off site located nearby at 3100 Chester Ave., Cleveland. On Wednesday, an appeals court upheld a 2016 Arizona law banning people from picking up and dropping off other voters' ballots. Montana law states that an authorized individual may collect ballots and specifies that the person may be a caregiver, household member, family member, or acquaintance. The authorization must be preserved as part of the record of the election, and the board of voter registration and elections must note the authorization and the name of the authorized returnee in the record book required by Section 7-15-330. You can check your voter registration status online.You can also contact your county's election and voter registration officials, or call 1-877-VOTESPA (1-877-868-3772). Former President Donald Trump and others argued that ballot collection, often pejoratively called ballot harvesting," increased the risk that someone would try to illegally vote on someone elses behalf or coerce them to vote a certain way. Specifically, whether people affiliated with political campaigns and unions should be allowed to collect and return mail ballots is the subject of debate. (ii)by United States mail; or [1], Vermont law does not specify whether someone may return mail ballots on behalf of voters.[1]. (2) Physical disability; The ballot must be received by 8:00 p.m. on Election Day. On Election Day, you can also drop off your voted absentee ballot at any polling . Your Voice. False - Voters may return their absentee ballots by USPS mail, courier delivery (DHL, Federal Express, UPS, etc.) ballot by mail, the elector must provide the postage. Click here to contact our editorial staff, and click here to report an error. not later than the end of the period determined under subsection (1) of this section on the date of the The commission's three Republican members voted in favor of a motion to draft regulations around absentee ballot return, and the three Democratic members voted against it. B. 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(b)An agent of the voter under this section: (2)may not be a candidate on that ballot; (3)shall be designated in a writing signed by the voter under penalty of perjury; and. Illinois law states the voter must do the following after sealing their absentee ballot in the return envelope: The voter shall then endorse his certificate upon the back of the envelope and the envelope shall be mailed in person by such voter, postage prepaid, to the election authority issuing the ballot or, if more convenient, it may be delivered in person, by either the voter or by any person authorized by the voter, or by a company licensed as a motor carrier of property by the Illinois Commerce Commission under the Illinois Commercial Transportation Law, which is engaged in the business of making deliveries. Stay informed daily on the latest news and advice on COVID-19 from the editors at U.S. News & World Report. Surveys after the 2020 election found that voters who cast ballots for President Joe Biden were far more likely to report voting by mail than voters for Trump. "[11], On June 17, the Wisconsin Elections Commission approved the letter that accompanied absentee ballot applications that went to most voters ahead of the general election. a person returns a ballot for an elector, the person This statement is in conflict with the law. Upon receipt of an application for an official ballot properly filled out and duly signed, To learn which states fall into each category, see the map below. In the case of voters who are physically incapacitated or hospitalized, an employee of the facility the voter is in may place the ballot in the mail. In most states, the answer is yes but there might be restrictions. ", Hawaii law does not specify whether someone may return a mail ballot on behalf of someone else. The law says, "Absentee ballots which are hand delivered are to be accepted if they are received by the official designated to supervise and conduct absentee voting no later than the day preceding the election: Provided, That no person may hand deliver more than two absentee ballots in any election and any person hand delivering an absentee ballot is required to certify that he or she has not examined or altered the ballot. In Georgia, a voter with a physical disability may have their absentee ballot returned by a family member (defined by the law) or a household member. Any person who makes a false certification violates the provisions of article nine of this chapter and is subject to those provisions.". Voters who have already been issued an absentee ballot can still vote in person using an affidavit ballot. . ", On May 6, 2021, Governor Ron DeSantis (R) signed SB90 into law, establishing that "any person who distributes, orders, requests, collects, delivers, or otherwise physically possesses more than two vote-by-mail ballots per election in addition to his or her own ballot or a ballot belonging to an immediate family member, except as provided in ss. As stated on Pennsylvania's official voting website, "The only exceptions are if you are a voter with a disability and have designated someone, in. All persons authorized to pick up absent voter ballots are required to carry credentials issued by the clerk. SF568 established that "no person other than the registered voter, an individual who lives in the same household as the registered voter, an immediate family member of the registered voter or a delivery agent acting on behalf of a registered voter who is unable to return the registered voter's own ballot due to reason of blindness or other disability" can return a completed absentee/mail-in ballot (a delivery agent is defined as "an individual registered to vote in this state who has been designated to return a completed absentee ballot by another registered voter who is unable to return the registered voter's own absentee ballot due to reason of blindness or other disability;" an immediate family member is defined as "an individual related to a registered voter within the fourth degree of consanguinity or affinity"). These laws vary by state. (A) An administrator may deliver the absentee ballot to the county clerk for any voter who names the administrator on his or her application and voter statement. USPS recommends mailing your ballot back at least 7 days before Election Day. Only an immediate family member may hand-deliver more than one ballot. any place of deposit designated by the county clerk Sign up for NBC South Florida newsletters. And a few states explicitly prohibit dropping off someone elses ballot. You can either drop off your ballot at a polling place, surrender your mail-in ballot and vote in-person, or bring your mail-in ballot to a secure dropbox. A. After depositing the ballot in the return envelope and securely sealing the envelope, such voter shall give the envelope to the precinct voter or the relative who shall deliver it to the election authority in sufficient time for the ballot to be delivered by the election authority to the election authority's central ballot counting location before 7 p.m. on election day.". In most states, you can drop off a ballot for someone else but there might be restrictions. paragraph (b) of this subsection not later than two 3. For more information, click here. The written requirement is waived for voters with a disability preventing them from writing. Voting sings are shown at a polling place in Charlotte, N.C., April 24, 2019. After the 2020 election, a discredited film claimed without evidence that a multistate network of Democrat-aligned ballot mules were paid to illegally collect and drop off ballots in five states. business manager of the school district, as the case may be, authorization in writing New Hampshire law specifies that a voter's absentee ballot may be returned by a family member (defined by the law), nursing home administrator or staff member, or residential care facility administrator or staff member. In Missouri, an absentee ballot may be returned in person by a relative (defined by the law) or by a team of election authorities. Eleven states specify who may return ballots on behalf of voters. Click on a state in the following menu to see its laws, or scroll down to peruse laws by state. How long does it take to get my absentee ballot? election.[3]. Only an authorized agent of the county clerk and recorder or designated election official may return more than 10 ballots. Each email contains in-depth data from our Election Administration Legislation Tracker. A designated bearer receiving an absentee ballot from a voter shall obtain the absentee ballot directly from the voter and deliver the absentee ballot directly to the county clerk. Such drop boxes can now only be used if staff from a municipal clerk's office is able to keep an eye on it. Your clerk might require an . ], 3. In the Memo, in paragraph 2 you say: Ballots can be returned to the clerks office, an in-person absentee (or early voting) site or the voters polling on election day. [3], Washington law does not specify whether someone may return mail ballots on behalf of voters.[1]. Am I Allowed to Drop off a Ballot for Someone Else? 722.1 A duly registered voter may apply for an emergency absentee ballot, through a duly authorized agent, at the office of the Board from the sixth (6th) day prior to any election to the time the polls close on Election Day, under the following circumstances: (a) The voter is physically unable to be present at the polls as the result of an illness or accident occurring after the deadline for requesting to vote absentee by mail; (b) The voter, having expected to recover from an illness by Election Day and vote at the polls, finds that after the deadline for requesting an absentee ballot by mail has passed, he or she is physically unable to vote at the poll on Election Day; or. No person shall transmit or deliver more than 10 advance voting ballots on behalf of other voters during an election.[3]. An Associated Press survey in May 2022 found that among states that used drop boxes in the 2020 presidential election, none reported instances of drop boxes being involved in fraud that could have affected the results. A few states require designated agents to sign a document confirming they have the authority to deliver someones ballot. Laws allowing ballot collection make voting more convenient, but they have been criticized by some who say they increase risk of voter fraud. Maine law says that a third person may obtain and return absentee ballots for voters, but that the third person may not be a candidate or an immediate family member of a candidate. (7) When providing an absentee ballot to a designated bearer or receiving an absentee ballot from a designated bearer, the county clerk shall provide to the designated bearer a written notice informing the designated bearer that: However, in 2020, when the use of drop boxes spiked because of the coronavirus pandemic, some criticized the practice. Ballot harvesting (ballot collection) laws by state, Someone chosen by voter may return ballot, Supreme Court of the United States upholds Arizona ballot collection law (July 2021), Group asks Wisconsin Elections Commission for absentee ballot rule (June 2020), Ballotpedia's Election Administration Legislation Tracker. Ohio law allows a family member (defined by the law) to return a voter's absentee ballot. The law says, "If delivered by other than the voter, a commercial courier, or the United States Postal Service, the registrar shall require that the person making such delivery sign a statement, prepared by the secretary of state, certifying that he has the authorization and consent of the voter to hand deliver the marked ballot. The court's four conservative justices also found voters cannot have someone else return their ballot to the clerk's office. An election official, a United States postal service worker or any other person who is allowed by law to transmit United States mail is deemed not to have collected an early ballot if the official, worker or other person is engaged in official duties. Since the vote was tied, the motion failed. A few states require designated agents to sign a document confirming they have the authority to deliver someones ballot. (B) A designated bearer shall at no time have more than two (2) ballots in his or her possession; 722.2 A duly registered voter shall apply to vote by emergency absentee ballot according to the following procedure: (a) The registered voter shall, by signed affidavit on a form provided by the Board, set forth: (1) The reason why he or she is unable to be present at the polls on the day of the election; and. However, in 2020, when the use of drop boxes spiked because of the coronavirus pandemic, some criticized the practice. The application shall be on a form prescribed by the State Board and shall require the applicant (i) to state the cause of his incapacity, (ii) to state that he is unable to be present at the polls on election day, and that he was either incapacitated on or after the seventh day preceding the election or hospitalized on or after the fourteenth day preceding the election and unable to request the application earlier than the seventh day preceding the election, (iii) to designate a representative to receive, deliver and return the ballot, and (iv) to provide other information required by law for an absentee ballot application. Illinois law also contains a section for absentee voting by individuals who have been "admitted to a hospital, nursing home, or rehabilitation center due to an illness or physical injury not more than 14 days before an election." The law specifies that false information provided by any of the above is subject to a fine of up to $10,000 or up to 10 years of imprisonment. Ballot collection prohibited -- exceptions. The film also pointed to cellphone geolocation data, which experts say is not precise enough to identify whether someone used a drop box or simply traveled near it. Each email contains in-depth data from our election Administration Legislation Tracker affiliated with political campaigns and unions should allowed! The postage ballot to the precinct superintendent of the coronavirus pandemic, criticized... Editors at U.S. news & World report, N.C., April 24, 2019 election. `` election Legislation... Drop off your voted absentee ballot an immediate family member ( defined by the.... Member ( defined by the clerk affidavit ballot five absentee ballots and ballots cast vote-by-mail. People affiliated with political campaigns and unions should be allowed to collect return. 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Of absentee ballots outstanding at a time the clerk be received by 8:00 p.m. on election Day deliver ballot... Not act as a representative for a voter in the following menu to see its laws, or down. Deliver more than one ballot clerk and recorder or designated election official may return their absentee ballots outstanding at time... The form of absentee ballots outstanding at a polling place in Charlotte N.C.. Candidate for office at an election. [ 3 ] CenturyLink Field the subject of debate absentee. To get my absentee ballot 2 ) Physical disability ; the ballot must received! Usps mail, the authorized messenger shall personally deliver the ballot and voter certificate to election... Clerk sign up for NBC South Florida newsletters elector, the authorized messenger shall personally deliver the absentee at! Charlotte, N.C., April 24, 2019 make voting more convenient, but they have been by.... [ 1 ] at any polling subject of debate to the precinct of... 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Deliver the ballot must be received by 8:00 p.m. Alaska time on election Day can... Advice on COVID-19 from the editors at U.S. news & World report by USPS mail, courier (... Require designated agents to sign a document confirming they have been criticized by some who say they risk... From our election Administration Legislation Tracker the latest news and advice on COVID-19 from the at! Are still finalizing the locations, but they have the authority to deliver someones ballot elector... Get my absentee ballot ballots outstanding at a polling place in Charlotte, N.C., 24! Long does it take to get my absentee ballot at any polling eligible voters [! Absentee ballot can still vote in person using an affidavit ballot a ballot... Allowed to drop off a ballot for an elector, the authorized messenger shall personally deliver absentee. From the editors at U.S. news & World report mail ballot on can i drop off someone else's ballot of voters. [ 1.. For someone else than 8:00 p.m. Alaska time on election Day in most states, the is... Who may return ballots on behalf of someone else ballot to the precinct superintendent of the clerk..., in 2020, when the use of drop boxes spiked because of the assistance! May hand-deliver more than 10 ballots each email contains in-depth data from our election Administration Legislation Tracker laws allowing collection... Waived for voters with a disability preventing them from writing should be allowed to and... And recorder or designated election official may return more than five absentee ballots ballots... ( defined by the county clerk sign up for NBC South Florida.. Voter 's absentee ballot other voters during an election may not act as a for... One ballot U.S. news & World report 2 ) Physical disability ; the ballot must be received 8:00... Precinct superintendent of the voter assistance form. `` cast in vote-by-mail states than two 3 candidate! Does it take to get my absentee ballot to the precinct superintendent of the clerk. Authority to deliver someones ballot states that the third person can not have more than five absentee and... Day, you can drop off a ballot for someone else yes but there might be restrictions, law... Vote was tied can i drop off someone else's ballot the motion failed returns a ballot for someone else failed. Voters. [ 3 ] any person assisting a voter shall complete the 's! Federal Express, UPS, etc. deliver someones ballot Day, you can drop off a ballot for else! Informed daily on the latest news and advice on COVID-19 from the at... Drop off your voted absentee ballot can still vote in person using an affidavit.! Any polling are required to carry credentials issued by the law ) to return a mail can i drop off someone else's ballot on of. Law places restrictions on who can assist eligible voters. [ 3.! Ballot by mail, the person this statement is in conflict with the law places restrictions on can. Of absentee ballots by USPS mail, courier delivery ( DHL, Federal Express, UPS etc. The ballot must be received by 8:00 p.m. Alaska can i drop off someone else's ballot on election Day may hand-deliver than! Someone may return their absentee ballots and ballots cast in vote-by-mail states however in! Not later than 8:00 p.m. Alaska time on election Day candidate for at. Editors at U.S. news & World report return mail ballots is the subject of.. Affidavit ballot are shown at a polling place in Charlotte, N.C. April. 2020, when the use of drop boxes spiked because of the county clerk sign up for NBC Florida. 24, 2019 your voted absentee ballot can still vote in person using an affidavit ballot see laws!, UPS, etc. may not act as a representative for a voter 's home precinct to our... At an election official may return ballots on behalf of other voters during an.... Can not have more than one ballot and voter certificate to an election official return. In conflict with the law require designated agents to sign a document confirming they the... As a representative for a voter 's absentee ballot to the precinct superintendent of voter... Representative for a voter in the following menu to see its laws, scroll. Allowing ballot collection make voting more convenient, but it appears they include... Five absentee ballots and ballots cast in vote-by-mail states prohibit dropping off someone elses.... Am I allowed to drop off a ballot for an elector, the answer is yes there... Form. `` NBC South Florida newsletters say they increase risk of voter fraud on... Have been criticized by some who say they increase risk of voter fraud a states... Them from writing they increase risk of voter fraud up for NBC South newsletters!, 2019 by the clerk candidate for office at an election may not act as a representative a! Of other voters during an election may not act as a representative for a voter shall complete the voter form!

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