Emergency Absentee Ballots

If you become physically disabled or ill after 5:00 pm on the Tuesday prior to the election, or if you find out after 5:00 pm on the Tuesday prior to the election 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. The deadline for a voter to request an Emergency Absentee Ballot is 8:00 pm on Election Day.

    Application

    Step 1.Download the Emergency Application for Absentee Ballot

    Emergency Application for Absentee Ballot(PDF, 102KB)

    Designate a representative to deliver your completed application, receive your ballot, and then return it once it is complete.

    Step 2.Designate an Authorized Representative

    Both the voter and the person designated as the representative must fill in and sign parts of the form.

    Authorization for a Representative to Pick Up or Return Emergency Absentee Ballot(PDF, 141KB)

    Step 3.Submit Documents to the Elections Division

    The authorized representative should bring the Emergency Application for Absentee Ballot and the Authorization for a Representative to the Allegheny County Elections Division, where they will be processed. The agent will be given balloting materials to take to the emergency absentee voter. The agent needs to retain a copy of the Authorization for a Representative in order to return the completed ballot. A photo copy of the original is acceptable.

    Step 4.Authorized Agent Returns the Ballot

    When the voter has completed their ballot and placed it in the secrecy envelope, and placed the secrecy envelope inside a signed and dated declaration envelope, the authorized representative will need to return the ballot to the Elections Division. The completed ballot should be accompanied by a copy of the signed authorization for the authorized agent to return the voted ballot. The ballot may also be mailed, if sufficient time is available. 

    The completed ballot must be returned to the Elections Division by 8:00 pm on Election Day to be counted.

    In Person

    Apply for an Emergency Absentee Ballot In Person

    Go to the Allegheny County Elections Division office and apply at the counter. You'll receive your ballot and materials while there and can vote and submit your ballot while in the office.

    Note

    • Act 77 eliminated the requirement for an order of court and notary for this application.
    • A person serving as an authorized representative should be doing so for only one voter unless dealing with a hospital or nursing home setting.