Absentee & Mail-In Ballots

Ballot Status FAQs: 

  • You can look up your voter record to find out if you have applied for a ballot. To aid you in understanding your application status, please click here.
  • You can track your Absentee or Mail-In Ballot using the ballot tracker on the PA Department of State website. To aid you in understanding the ballot tracker site, please click here.

Absentee Voting:

  • Online Absentee Ballot Application: Civilian voters can complete an application online using their PA Driver's License or PA Identification Card. This link will direct you to the PA Voter Services website.
  • Absentee Ballot Application (PDF): This form is for civilians needing an absentee ballot but whose ballot will be sent to a U.S. address.
  • Absentee Assistance Form (PDF): This form is used for individuals with an illness or physical disability to designate someone to pick up and/or deliver an Absentee Ballot on their behalf. This form must accompany a signed and completed Absentee Ballot Application when picking up a ballot.

Absentee Voting for Military:

  • Military, their spouses and dependents: A Federal Post Card Application is for use by military members, their spouses & their dependents. This form serves as both an application for an absentee ballot and a registration form. This form can be used for more than one primary or election.

Absentee Voting for Civilians Overseas: 

  • Civilians Overseas: A Federal Post Card Application is for use by civilians who will be out of the country and require their ballot be sent to an address outside of the United States. This form serves as both an application for an absentee ballot and a registration form. This form can be used for more than one primary or election.

Mail-In Voting: 

  • Mail-In Ballot Application (PDF): This form is for civilians wishing to vote by mail but who do not qualify for an Absentee Ballot.
  • Online Mail-In Ballot Application: Civilian voters can complete an application online using their PA Driver's License or PA Identification Card. This link will direct you to the PA Voter Services website.

Canceling Your Mail-In/Absentee Ballot Request:

  • Permanent Mail Ballot Cancellation Form: This form is for voters wishing to cancel their ballot request for the upcoming primary/election and wish to cancel their permanent mail-in or absentee ballot status for future elections.

Deadline to Apply

Absentee and mail-in ballot applications must be received at the Elections Office no later than 5:00 p.m. on the Tuesday prior to the primary or election. However, we highly recommend that you apply as early as possible to allow time for necessary mailings. Signed & completed applications should be returned to Cumberland County Bureau of Elections, 1601 Ritner Hwy, Suite 201, Carlisle, PA 17013. Postmarks are not accepted.

Deadline to Return Ballots

All voted absentee and mail-in ballots must be received in the Elections Office no later than 8:00 p.m. on the day of the election. Postmarks are not accepted. (Military ballots must be postmarked for return no later than the day prior to the primary or election and received in the Elections Office no later than the Tuesday following the primary or election.)

Voter ID and Ballots

Absentee and mail-in ballot applications must contain a driver’s license # or PennDOT ID#. If the voter does not have either of those then the voter may provide the last 4 digits of the Social Security #. If the voter does not have a driver’s license number, PennDOT ID number or Social Security Number, the voter may provide a copy of another acceptable form of ID, as listed below. Applications that are received without the required information will still be processed. The ballot will be sent to the voter along with a notice requesting that the information be provided. The voter has 6 days after the election to either provide the missing information via email, fax, telephone, or in person, or provide a copy of an acceptable form of ID in order for their submitted ballot to be counted.

For absentee and mail-in voters without a PA Driver’s License Number, PennDOT ID Number or Social Security Number, a copy of one of the following will be accepted: 

  • Photo IDs issued by the U.S. Government or the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, including:
    •     U.S. passport 
    •     U.S. military ID (active duty and retired military IDs may designate an expiration date that is indefinite). Military dependents’ IDs must contain a current expiration date. 
    •     Pennsylvania Certificate of Voter Registration
  • Employee photo identification issued by Federal, Pennsylvania, a Pennsylvania County, or Pennsylvania Municipal government
  • Photo identification issued by an accredited Pennsylvania public or private institution of higher learning
  • Photo identification issued by a Pennsylvania care facility, including long-term care facilities, assisted living residences and personal care homes
  • In the case of a voter who has a RELIGIOUS OBJECTION to being photographed, acceptable IDs include the following: 
    •     Pennsylvania valid without-photo driver’s license