Lori Edwards, Polk County Supervisor of Elections

Absentee FAQ

Questions:

Question: When may a voter request an absentee ballot?

Answer:  Deadline for request must be made no later than 5:00 p.m. on Wednesday before the election.  

Question: How may a person request an absentee ballot?

  • Call Election Headquarters at (863) 534-5888
  • Fill Out Request   click here
  • Stop By Election Headquarters at 250 South Broadway Avenue, Bartow, Florida 33830

Question: May a person other than the voter request an absentee ballot?

Answer: Only the voter, a member of the voter's immediate family, or the legal guardian may request an absentee ballot. A requester other than the voter must provide his/her name, address, drivers license (if available) and relationship to the voter, and must have permission from the voter to make such request.

Question: May I pick up an absentee ballot?

Answer: A registered voter may pick up an absentee ballot at any Supervisor of Elections offices with picture identification.

Question: May I pick up a ballot for another person?

Answer: You may pick up an absentee ballot for another person if:

  • The request is made no earlier than the fifth day prior to election day
  • You have a letter signed by the voter giving you authority to pick up a ballot
  • You present picture ID of yourself and complete an affidavit

Question: Can absentee ballots be sent to any address?

Answer: Yes. A ballot may be sent to the voter's current mailing address, or any other address the voter specifies in the request.   

Question: May a candidate solicit requests for absentee ballots?

Answer: Yes. However, if you are going to solicit by mail, we urge you to let us review your mailer to make sure that it asks for the correct information from the voter.

Question: Will an absentee ballot be counted if it is mailed on election day?

Answer: An absentee ballot is only counted if it is received in the Election Headquarters by 7:00 p.m. election day.

Question: Can I bring my absentee ballot to my precinct on election day?

Answer: If you do, you will be required to turn in that ballot and vote at the precinct.

Question: What if I request a ballot, but don't mail it in?

Answer: Up until 7:00 p.m. on election day you can turn it in at Supervisor of Elections office. Or, if you decide to vote at your precinct, take the ballot and turn it in and vote a precinct ballot.