Physically Incapacitated Voters and Caregivers

Physically incapacitated voters and voters who care for a physically incapacitated person (caregivers), who cannot be left alone, may apply for a Physically Incapacitated Absentee Ballot. Special request and return procedures apply to these types of ballots.

The easiest way to apply is online through the OK Voter Portal. You can also download an application form from the website, or contact your County Election Board to have an application mailed to any address.

You may apply for absentee ballots for one election, for several elections, or for all elections during the calendar year, in which the application is submitted.

State law requires voters to provide an identification number that matches the identification number on their voter registration record when applying for an absentee ballot.

If you are eligible for a Physically Incapacitated Absentee Ballot you may submit your application to the appropriate County Election Board through the OK Voter Portal, by mail, fax, or email. You may also have an agent hand-deliver your application. Absentee ballot requests must be received no later than 5 p.m. the third Monday (15 days) before the election.

If you choose to have your application submitted to the County Election Board by an agent, the agent must meet the statutory requirements below.

• The agent must be at least 16 years old.
• The agent may not be employed by or related within the third degree by blood or marriage to a candidate whose name is on the ballot.
• The agent may act for only one voter, per election.
• The agent will be asked to sign a form at the County Election Board office providing his or her name and attesting to these facts.

Absentee ballot packets are mailed to physically incapacitated voters and their caregivers by the County Election Board.

Mailing dates vary from county to county. Please contact your County Election Board for questions about mailing.

You can confirm the mailing of your packet and track your absentee ballot using the OK Voter Portal or contact your County Election Board for more information.

Your absentee ballot packet will include absentee ballots, as well as instructions for voting, preparing, and returning an absentee ballot.

Here is a checklist:

Physically Incapacitated Voters and Caregivers of Physically Incapacitated Voters

• Ballot(s)
• White “Secrecy” Envelope
• Pink Affidavit Envelope
• Green Return Envelope
• Voting Instructions
• Warning Message
   

Voters Confined to a Nursing Home or Veterans' Center

• Ballot(s)
• White “Secrecy” Envelope
• Pink Affidavit Envelope
• Green Return Envelope
• Voting Instructions
• Warning Message

Please inspect your packet carefully before voting. If you are missing a ballot, instructions, need a replacement or have questions regarding your packet, please contact your County Election Board directly for assistance.

Please read all instructions thoroughly before marking or returning your ballot. Absentee ballot laws are subject to change. Any changes to procedures will be noted in your absentee ballot packet.

Physically incapacitated voters and their caregivers are not required to have absentee ballot affidavits notarized; however, they are required to have their signatures witnessed by two people.

Except as permitted by law, you must return your own absentee ballot to county election officials.

NOTE: Effective November 1, 2023, physically incapacitated voters and their caregivers may hand deliver their own absentee ballot to the County Election Board no later than the end of the business day, the Monday prior to the election.

You can return your voted absentee ballots to the County Election Board by U.S. mail or by a private mail service that has delivery documentation, such as FedEx or UPS. First class postage is required for U.S. mail. (We recommend using your outer envelope as a guide to determine return postage.) Private mail service rates apply.

Absentee ballots returned by mail or private delivery service must be received by the County Election Board no later than 7 p.m. (CST) on Election Day to be counted.

Please consider the distance your absentee ballot must travel and allow sufficient time for your absentee ballot to be received by the County Election Board. The U.S. Postal Service recommends mailing absentee ballots at least one week prior to the due date.

The OK Voter Portal provides information on your absentee ballot.

• You can see when your absentee ballot was sent.
• You can see when your absentee ballot is received by the County Election Board.

If your absentee ballot was rejected, you will receive a letter from the County Election Board following the election. The letter will explain why your ballot could not be counted.

NOTE: The OK Voter Portal is a voter information system only, it does not “count” ballots or “tally” votes.