Emergency Absentee Ballots

Obtaining an Emergency Absentee Ballot Application

Emergency absentee ballot applications are available at the Elections Office.

If you did not know or have a reason to apply for an absentee ballot by 5 p.m. on the Tuesday prior to Election Day, you may download and apply for an Emergency Absentee Ballot. This application must be notarized before it is submitted.

Requirements for Emergency Absentee Ballot Applications

The county board of elections will process and approve only those emergency absentee ballot applications that have been completed and signed by the applicant elector before a notary public.

Emergency Absentee Ballot Application Deadline

Emergency absentee ballot applications must be submitted to the county board of elections between 5 p.m. on the Tuesday before Election Day and 5 p.m. on the Friday before Election Day.

How to Obtain an Emergency Absentee Ballot if an Emergency Occurs After the Deadline

If you become physically disabled or ill between 5 p.m. on the Friday before Election Day and 8 p.m. on Election Day or if you find out after 5 p.m.. on the Friday before Election Day that you will be absent from your municipality of residence on Election Day because of your business, duties or occupation, you can receive an emergency absentee ballot if you complete and file with the Centre County Court of Common Pleas an emergency application or a letter or other signed document, which includes the same information as that provided on the emergency application.

Obtaining an Emergency Absentee Ballot if You Are Not Able to Appear in Court

If you are not able to appear in court to receive the ballot, you can designate, in writing, a representative to deliver the absentee ballot to you and return your completed absentee ballot to the county board of elections.

If you are not able to appear in court or obtain assistance from an authorized representative, the judge will direct a deputy sheriff of the county to deliver the absentee ballot to you if you are at a physical location within the County.

Deadline to Apply for an Absentee Ballot When an Emergency After the Deadline

Emergency absentee ballot applications from voters who experience an emergency after 5 p.m. on the Friday before Election Day must be submitted to the Court of Common Pleas no later than 8 p.m. on Election Day.

Important Notice: To designate an authorized representative to deliver your emergency absentee ballot, you must complete and sign the Authorized Representative Form and the authorized representative must complete and sign the Certification of Authorized Representative.

• Emergency Application (for voters who experience an emergency between 5 p.m. on the Friday before Election Day and 8 p.m. on Election Day) (PDF)
• Authorized Representative Form (PDF)
• Certification of Authorized Representative Form (PDF)

To apply for an Emergency Absentee Ballot when the election office is closed between 5 p.m. on the Friday before the election and 8:30 a.m. on the Monday before the election, call the Centre County Emergency Operations Center at 800-479-0050

The Emergency Operations Center will contact an election official who will get in touch with you immediately.

Make Sure That Your Vote Counts!

In completing an absentee ballot and related absentee ballot material and returning the completed absentee ballot to the County Board of Elections, please be sure to follow all instructions received from the County Board of Elections. Improper completion of the absentee ballot or related material, or improper delivery of the absentee ballot to the county Board of Elections, can result in your absentee ballot being challenged and set aside by the County Board of Elections or court of law.