Vote-by-Mail Information
A Vote-by-Mail ballot (formerly known as an absentee ballot) enables a voter to vote from the comfort of their home. Voting has never been easier!
Any registered voter may request a Vote-by-Mail ballot.
- Vote-by-Mail ballot requests do expire. Requests made before November 8, 2022 have expired.
- Vote-by-Mail ballot requests made after the November 2022 General Election for all elections will cover all elections through the end of 2024.
- Vote-by-Mail requests must be renewed every two years.
*NOTE: No person may distribute, order, request, collect, deliver or possess more than two Vote-by-Mail ballots, in addition to their own ballot or ballots belonging to an immediate family member. Immediate family is defined as a voter's or designee's spouse, parent, child, grandparent, grandchild, or sibling for the parent) or the voter's legal guardian.
Requesting a Vote-by-Mail Ballot
The voter or the voter's *immediate family or the voter's legal guardian is authorized to make a request in one of the following ways:
1. Complete an Online Request
2. Print and complete a 2023 Mail Ballot Request Form
- Mail to: Lake County Supervisor of Elections, P.O. Box 457, Tavares, FL 32778
3. Call (352-343-9734), email ([email protected]), or fax (352-253-1422) the following voter information:
- Voter's name
- Voter's address
- Voter's date of birth
- Voter's Florida driver license number, Florida ID card number, or the last four digits of the voter's social security number
- If you are making a request on behalf of a voter as the voter's legal guardian or as an *immediate family member, you will also be required to provide your name, phone number, address, Florida driver license or Florida ID card number or the last four digits of your Social Secruity number (if available), and your relationship to the voter. The requestor's signature will also be required for written requests only.
4. In person at the Lake County Supervisor of Elections office, located at 1898 E. Burleigh Blvd. Tavares, FL 32778. You will need to complete a Vote-by-Mail Request Form and present a valid photo ID that has your signature.
NOTE:
- The deadline to request a Vote-by-Mail ballot to be mailed is 5:00pm on the 12th day before the election, and the deadline to pick up a Vote-by-Mail ballot is 5:00pm on the day before the election, unless it is an emergency.
- Vote-by-Mail ballots must be received by the Supervisor of Elections office no later than 7:00pm on Election Day. Overseas voters have until 10 days after the election to return their ballots for any presidential preference primary or general election if it is postmarked or dated on or before the date of the election.
Designating Someone to Pick up a Vote-by-Mail Ballot:
New content due to Senate Bill 70-50 coming soon.
Voting for Military and Overseas Voters
The Uniformed and Overseas Citizens Absentee Voting Act (UOCAVA) requires states to deliver requested Vote-by-Mail ballots to military and overseas voters no later than 45 days before a federal election. This includes:
- Active duty members of the Uniformed Services or Merchant Marines and their eligible family members
- U.S. citizens living outside the country
The Federal Voting Assistance Program (FVAP) works to ensure Service members, their eligible family members, and overseas citizens are aware of their right to vote and have the tools and resources to successfully do so - from anywhere in the world. To learn more about the FVAP program, download necessary forms, or view the online Voting Assistance Guide, visit FVAP.gov.
Tracking Vote-by-Mail Ballot Requests & Returned Ballots
Voters who request a Vote-by-Mail ballot can track the status of their ballot by using BallotTrax.
To learn more, view our info bulletin by selecting this link: BallotTrax Information
BallotTrax is a notification system that will notify you when:
- your ballot is mailed to you.
- your ballot is received by our office.
- there is an issue with your signature on your envelope.
To register for BallotTrax notifications, click HERE or call (352) 343-3734
Voters may also track the status of their ballots using the Voter Information Lookup Tool.
Returning a Vote-by-Mail Ballot
Once you've completed your ballot you may return it by one of the following methods:
- To our office during office hours.
- At a secure drop box at any Early Voting location during Early Voting hours.
- At any U.S. Post Office mailbox.
For a listing of Early Voting dates, times, and locations click here.
NOTE: Overseas voters may return their ballots via fax to (352) 253-1422.
Curing a Missing or Mismatched Signature on a Vote-by-Mail Ballot
If a voter forgets to sign the return envelope or provides a signature on his/her return envelope that does not match signature examples on file with the Lake County Supervisor of Elections office, he or she may cure the discrepancy by completing and returning a Vote-by-Mail Cure Affidavit English/Spanish. The deadline to submit the Affidavit is no later than 5:00pm the 2nd day after the election. Failure to follow the Affidavit instructions carefully may cause his/her her ballot not to be counted.
Vote-by-Mail Data Requests
Per F.S. 101.62, Vote-by-Mail ballot request information is confidential and exempt from public record disclosure except to the following person or entities who may obtain and use the information for political purposes only:
- A Registered Political Committee
- A Political Party or Official Thereof
- An Election Official
- A Candidate who has filed Qualification Papers and is Opposed in an Upcoming Election
Vote-by-Mail data requests will be provided in a comma-delimited text format via email and must be placed using the Vote-by-Mail Data Request Form. Be sure to complete all information, mark the applicable boxes, and sign before submitting your request. You can return your completed form along with payment in person at 1898 E. Burleigh Blvd., Tavares, Fl 32778 or by mail to Lake County Supervisor of Elections, PO Box 457, Tavares, FL 32778.
If you have questions about Vote-by-Mail Data Requests, please email [email protected] or call (352) 343-9734.