• Members of the armed forces whether registered or not.
• Hospitalized or bedridden veterans OUTSIDE the county of residence, whether registered or not.

The following must be registered to vote:

• Spouses and dependents of members of the armed forces residing with or accompanying them and absent from the municipality of residence.
• Members of the Merchant Marine, and their spouses and dependents residing with or accompanying them and absent from the municipality of residence.
• Persons in a religious or welfare group attached to and service with the armed forces  and their spouses and dependents residing with or accompanying them and absent from the municipality  of residence.
• Persons who because of illness or physical disability are unable to attend their polling place.
• Persons that expect to be absent from the municipality of residence because of duties, occupation or business.
• Persons that will be observing of a religious holiday.
• A county employee who cannot vote due to duties on election day.

How do I apply for an absentee ballot?

You may make application for an absentee ballot by submitting (in person or by mail) a letter or application to Chester County Voter Services.  If submitting a letter, it should contain the following information: 

• voter’s name,
• residential address,
• date of birth,
• reason for requesting absentee ballot,
• where to mail ballot, and
• signature of voter requesting ballot

Absentee ballot applications may be requested by calling Voter Services at 610-344-6410 or you may print out the application attached here and mail as per instructions on application.

What is the deadline for applying for an absentee ballot?

Absentee ballot applications must be received by Voter Services no later than 5:00 p.m. on the Tuesday prior to the primary or election.  However, it is recommended that you apply as early as possible to allow time for necessary mailings. 

What type(s) of Identification are required / permitted?

***	First time voters to Chester County must submit a copy of a valid approved form of I.D. with the absentee ballot application: See:  Information fo First Time Voters

When must the ballot be returned?

All voted absentee ballots must be received by Voter Services no later 5:00 p.m. on the Friday prior to the primary or election.

SEMI-EMERGENCY AND EMERGENCY ABSENTEE BALLOTS

After 5:00 P.M. on 5/11/10 to 5:00 P.M. on 5/14/10

Between 8:30 A.M. on Wednesday, May 12, 2010 and 4:30 P.M. on Friday, May 14, 2010, a qualified registered voter may obtain a Semi-Emergency Absentee Ballot at Voter Services at the Government Services Center  at 601 Westtown Road, Suite 150, West Chester, Chester County, Pennsylvania, during business hours only. 

To qualify, the voter must meet the following criteria:

1. Be legally entitled to vote on Tuesday, May 18, 2010,
   and
2. Have discovered after 5:00 P.M. on Tuesday, May 11, 2010, that due to illness or disability the voter is unable to appear at the voter’s designated polling place,
   or
3. Found out after 5:00 P.M. on Tuesday, May 11, 2010, that because of the conduct of the voter’s business duties or occupation the voter will necessarily be absent from the municipality of the voter’s residence on Tuesday, May 18, 2010.

Between 5:00 P.M. on Friday, May 14, 2010 and 8:00 P.M. on Tuesday, May 18, 2010, a qualified registered voter in Chester County may obtain an Emergency Absentee Ballot by calling the following number:
610-344-6429. 

In order to qualify for an Emergency Absentee Ballot a voter must meet the following criteria:

1. Be legally entitled to vote on Tuesday, May 18, 2010,
   and
   Became ill or disabled after 5:00 P.M. on Friday, May 14, 2010, and  due to such illness or disability cannot go to the voter’s designated polling place,
   
   OR
   
   
2. Be legally entitled to vote on Tuesday, May 18, 2010,
   and
   Found out after 5:00 P.M. on Friday, May 14, 2010, that because of the conduct of the voter’s business duties or occupation, the voter will necessarily  be absent from the municipality of the voter’s residence on Tuesday, May 18, 2010.