Arkansas voters can only apply to vote absentee if they meet certain criteria. If you meet the criteria, you can ask your county clerk to mail you an absentee ballot application, or you can complete the application form. The last day to request your ballot varies, as does the deadline to return the voted ballot. More information on the absentee ballot process below.
WHO IS ELIGIBLE TO VOTE BY MAIL?
To be qualified to vote an absentee ballot in Arkansas, you must meet one of the following criteria:
● You will be unavoidably absent from your polling site on Election Day (the law does not require you to give a reason)
● You will be unable to attend your polling site on Election Day due to illness or physical disability This includes those with concerns regarding COVID-19.
● You are a member of the US armed forces, merchant marines or the spouse or a dependent family member
● A US citizen domiciled in Arkansas but temporarily living outside the territorial limits of the United States
HOW DO I REQUEST A BALLOT BY MAIL?
You can obtain an application for an absentee voting ballot from your county clerk who may mail or fax you an application, or you can fill out an absentee ballot request form.
WHAT IS THE DEADLINE TO REQUEST AN ABSENTEE BALLOT?
You can submit your application in person, by the designated bearer, by mail or fax, or by an authorized agent, and the deadline to submit your absentee ballot varies depending on how you return the application to the county clerk.
● In Person by You: by close of business the Friday BEFORE the election
● By Designated Bearer: by close of business the Friday BEFORE the election
● By Mail, Email, or Fax: 7 days before the election
● By Authorized Agent: 1:30pm on Election Day
A designated bearer is anyone you choose to pick up and/or deliver your application or ballot. An authorized agent must file with the County Clerk an affidavit from the administrative head of a hospital or nursing home located in this state verifying that the applicant is a patient of the hospital or long-term care or residential care facility licensed by the state and is thereby unable to vote on the Election Day at his or her regular polling site.
WHAT IS THE DEADLINE FOR SUBMITTING AN ABSENTEE BALLOT?
The deadline to submit your ballot depends on your method of delivery:
● In-person by you: by close of business the Friday BEFORE the election.
● By mail: by 7:30 p.m. on Election Day
● By designated bearer: by close of business the Friday BEFORE the election.
● By authorized agent: 7:30 p.m. on Election Day
DO I HAVE TO REQUEST AN ABSENTEE BALLOT FOR EVERY ELECTION?
Yes, you will need to submit an absentee ballot application for each election.
If you are a voter with a disability, in a long-term or residential care facility, or living outside of the county in which you are registered to vote, you may qualify to receive an absentee ballot for all elections in the calendar year.
If you are a military or overseas voter, you may qualify to receive an absentee ballot for all elections through the next Federal General Election Cycle.
WHAT VOTER ID DO I NEED TO VOTE ABSENTEE?
If you are voting absentee, you must provide a copy of one of the following forms of ID:
● An Arkansas driver's license
● An Arkansas state ID
● An Arkansas concealed carry handgun license
● A US passport
● A US military ID document
● A student or employee ID card issued by a postsecondary educational institution
● A public assistance ID card with photo issued by Arkansas or the federal government
● A voter ID card with photo issued by the County Clerk
● Detailed list of Verification of Voter Registration ID requirements
You do not need to provide ID when voting absentee if you are:
● A uniformed service member or marine on active duty who is absent from the county because of active duty or service
● The spouse or dependent of a uniformed service member or marine, who is away from the county due to the active duty or service of the uniformed service member or merchant marine
● Residents of a long-term care or residential care facility. These voters must provide a letter or other document from the facility's administrator that the voter is a resident of the facility
WHEN ARE ABSENTEE BALLOTS MAILED OUT TO VOTERS WHO HAVE REQUESTED THEM?
Election officials can start mailing out absentee ballots 46 days before the election.
HOW CAN I TRACK MY ABSENTEE BALLOT?
You can sign up to track your absentee ballot on your Secretary of State’s website.
WHAT IF I REQUESTED AN ABSENTEE BALLOT BUT WANT TO VOTE IN PERSON?
You can vote in person if you’ve requested an absentee ballot as long as you haven’t voted and submitted your absentee ballot. If you requested an absentee ballot but want to vote in person, a poll worker will provide you with a provisional ballot at your polling location if you do not bring your mailed absentee ballot with you. Your provisional ballot will be counted after your county elections official has confirmed you are registered to vote and did not vote more than once in that election.
HOW DO I REQUEST AN ABSENTEE BALLOT AS AN OVERSEAS OR U.S. MILITARY VOTER?
Overseas citizens and U.S. military personnel can find information on how to register to vote and request a mail ballot at the Overseas Vote Foundation.
Request your Ballot