Can you explain the process for applying for an absentee ballot?

Request an Application by:

• Calling the County Clerk’s Office at 479-444-1711, or
• Emailing the County Clerk at blewallen@co.washington.ar.us, or
• Downloading the application here   

Return application before the deadline: 

• Applications by mail must be received in the County Clerk's office 7 days before the Election
  • For the November 5, 2024 General Election: October 29, 2024
  • Due to postal concerns please return as soon as you receive and complete your application
• In Person or by Designated Bearer: The Friday before the Election
  • For the November 5, 2024 General Election: November 1, 2024
• An Authorized Agent may deliver the application in the office of the County Clerk no later than 1:30 p.m. on Election Day
  • The 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 their regular polling site.
• For more information call 444-1711

Receive your absentee ballot

• Ballots are mailed out starting 46 days before the Election
• Overseas and Military ballots will be mailed first

Complete your absentee ballot by:

• Voting your ballot
• Filling out your Voter Statement
• Include in your return envelope
  • Completed Voter Statement
  • Copy of Approved Photo ID 
  • Completed ballot in "Ballot Only" Envelope
• Returning your ballot by the deadline

What do voters specifically need in order to apply?

Be registered to vote in Washington County

• If not registered to vote: register 30 days before the Election
• Download and return your Voter Registration Card
• If transferring from one county to another complete a new voter registration card
• Complete and return an Absentee Ballot Application

When would absentee ballots be mailed to voters who apply?

46 days before an Election is the deadline for the County Clerk to mail absentee ballots for applications that they have received by that date

When is the deadline to apply for an absentee ballot?

• Applications by mail must be received in the County Clerk's office 7 days before the Election
  • For the November 5, 2024 General Election: October 29, 2024
  • Due to postal concerns please return as soon as you receive and complete your application
• In Person or by Designated Bearer: The Friday before the Election
  • For the November 5, 2024 General Election: November 1, 2024
• An Authorized Agent may deliver the application in the office of the County Clerk no later than 1:30 p.m. on Election Day
• For more information call 444-1711

When is the deadline for voters to return their absentee ballots?

• By mail: Election Day ( For Regular Absentee Ballots)
  • November 5, 2024 General Election
• For UOCAVA ballots:  The tenth day following the Election
• In person: The Friday before the Election
  • November 1, 2024 for the General Election
• Designated bearer: The Friday before the Election
  • November 1, 2024 for the General Election
• Go to www.voterview.org to track the progress of your absentee ballot.    

Can you apply and then receive an absentee ballot but change your mind and vote on-site? If so, what do you need to do with the absentee ballot?

Yes. However, you will have to vote a Provisional Ballot. This is strongly discouraged unless you have:

• Lost your original absentee ballot, and do not have time to receive a new ballot and return it by mail by Election Day
• Believe that your mailed ballot may not be received in the Clerk’s office by Election Day

Your Provisional Ballot will count if the Election Commission did not receive your original absentee ballot

• Do not bring your absentee ballot to the polling location on Election Day or Early Vote
• Poll workers have been trained to not accept the ballot at the polling location

Can absentee ballots be hand-delivered to a precinct or the Washington Co. Clerk's office on Election Day?

No. The only absentee ballots accepted on Election Day are the ones received in the mail, or by an authorized agent.