Absentee Voting

Early Absentee Voting In-Person

Allen County voters may cast absentee ballots in person prior to Election Day at the Allen County Board of Elections. The early in-person absentee voting period begins 35 days before the day of an election and ends on the day before the election at 2:00 pm.

Absentee Voting by Mail

Voters who prefer to vote by mail can complete an absentee ballot request form and mailing it to our office. You will receive your ballot in the mail with instructions for returning the ballot. For your absentee ballot to be counted, it must be received as follows:

• By U.S. mail: The return envelope containing your marked ballot must either be received by the board of elections prior to 7:30 p.m. on Election Day, or postmarked no later than the day before the election and received by the board of elections no later than 10 days after that election. (Note: Ohio’s election law states that “postmarked” does not include a date marked by a postage evidence system, such as a postage meter. Therefore, the return envelope must bear a valid postage cancellation stamp affixed by the U.S. Postal Service.)
• In person, either by you or an eligible family member: Your marked ballot, which must be sealed in the completed and signed identification envelope provided with the ballot, must be delivered to the board of elections office no later than 7:30 p.m. on Election Day.

(Note: No voted ballot may be returned to a board of elections by fax or e-mail. If a voted ballot is returned by fax or e-mail, it will not be accepted, processed, or counted.)

Complete and mail application to:
Allen County Board of Elections
P.O. Box 5008
Lima, Ohio 45802

Deadline for Returning your Application

If requesting your ballot by mail, your written request for an absentee ballot must be received at the board of elections by:Noon of the third day (Saturday) before Election Day