Vote-by-Mail
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 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 (spouse, parent, child, grandparent, grandchild, or sibling of the person or person’s spouse.)
Requesting a Vote-by-Mail Ballot
The voter or authorized person must 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's license number, Florida ID card number, or the last four digits of the voter's social security number
4. In person at the Lake County Supervisor of Elections office, located at 1898 E. Burleigh Blvd. Tavares, FL 32778
A designee requesting a Vote-by-Mail ballot on behalf of another must disclose:
- The voter’s name
- The voter's address
- The voter's date of birth
- The voter's Florida driver’s license number, or Florida ID card number, or the last four digits of their social security number, whichever may be verified in the voter’s record.
Additionally the designee must disclose:
- Their name and address
- Their relationship to the voter
- Their driver’s license number, or ID card number, or the last four digits of their social security number, if available.
- If the request is in writing (paper, fax, or email), the request must be signed by the requestor.
The deadline to request a vote-by-mail ballot is no later than 5:00 p.m. on the tenth day before the election. However, the ballot must be received by the Supervisor of Elections no later than 7 p.m. on Election Day.
Vote-by-Mail Counter Pickups
Voters have the option of picking up their Vote-by-Mail ballot at the Supervisor of Elections office front desk. To pick up a VBM ballot voters are required to:
- present a current and valid photo ID with signature.
- complete a VBM request form.
A designee picking up a VBM ballot is required to:
- present a VBM request signed by the requestor.
- a current and valid photo ID with signature.
- complete a VBM request form.
A desginee is also required to disclose:
- The voter’s name
- The voter's address
- The voter's date of birth
- The voter's Florida driver’s license number, or Florida ID card number, or the last four digits of their social security number, whichever may be verified in the voter’s record.
Additionally the designee must disclose:
- Their name and address
- Their relationship to the voter
- Their driver’s license number, or ID card number, or the last four digits of their social security number, if available.
PLEASE NOTE: Designee Counter Pickups are not available until 9 days preceding Election Day
Correcting 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 correct the discrepancy by completing and returning a Vote-By-Mail Ballot Cure Affidavit Vote-by-Mail Cure Affidavit English/Spanish. The deadline to submit the Affidavit is no later than 5:00 p.m. the 2nd day after the election. Failure to follow the Affidavit instructions carefully may cause his or her ballot not to count.
Tracking a Vote-by-Mail Ballot Request & Returned Ballot
Any voter who has requested a vote-by-mail ballot can track the status of his or her ballot online through the Voter Information Lookup Tool.
Voters may also sign up to track their ballot at lakevotes.ballottrax.net.
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.
Federal Voting Assistance Program (Uniformed Military and Overseas Citizens)
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.
The Director of FVAP administers the Uniformed and Overseas Citizens Absentee Voting Act (UOCAVA) on behalf of the Secretary of Defense. UOCAVA, as amended by the Military and Overseas Voter Empowerment (MOVE) Act, requires states to transmit requested Vote-by-Mail ballots to UOCAVA voters no later than 45 days before a federal election. Those citizens protected by UOCAVA include:
- Members of the Uniformed Services (Army, Navy, Marine Corps, Air Force, Coast Guard, United States Public Health Service Commissioned Corps, and National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Commissioned Corps)
- Members of the Merchant Marines
- Eligible family members of the above
- U.S. citizens residing outside the U.S.
FVAP assists voters through partnerships with the Military Services, Department of State, Department of Justice and election officials from 50 States, U.S. territories and the District of Columbia.
For more information about the FVAP program, download the necessary Election Material Forms, or view their online Voting Assistance Guide.
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.