Absentee laws are created by the Florida Legislature. The requirements for voting by absentee ballot are explained below. 

If you are a qualified registered Jackson County voter, you are entitled to vote by absentee ballot.

An absentee ballot may be requested for a specific election or for all elections through the next two General Elections. The request can be made in person, by mail, by telephone or by email. Only the voter or a designated member of his or her immediate family or legal guardian can request an absentee ballot for the voter. Immediate family means the voter's spouse or the parent, child, grandparent or sibling of the voter or of the voter's spouse or legal guardian.  Requests for an absentee ballot to be mailed must be received no later than 5pm on the 6^th day preceding an election.

A request from the voter must include the following information:

• The name of the voter for whom the ballot is requested.

• The voter's address.

• The voter’s date of birth.

• The voter's signature (written request only).

If the voter has designated an immediate family member or legal guardian to request an absentee ballot for him or herself, that designee must provide the above information in addition to the following:

• The requester's name.

• The requester's address.

• The requester's driver's license number, if available.

• The requester's relationship to the voter.

• The requester's signature (written request only).

Absentee ballots are mailed approximately 30 days prior to each election to those voters who have requested an absentee ballot. Absentee ballots cannot be forwarded. Be sure the elections office has your correct mailing address.

A qualified absentee voter may designate in writing another person to pick up an absentee ballot for the voter. Carry out ballots are available to the designee on election day or up to five days prior to the day of the election. The designee may only pick up two (2) absentee ballots per election other than his or her own, except for ballots picked up for members of his or her immediate family. The designee must provide picture identification, the written authorization from the voter and complete an affidavit.

A qualified absentee voter may vote in person at the office of the Supervisor of Elections prior to an election. The voter must present a Florida drivers license, a Florida identification card or another form of picture and signature identification to vote in the office.

The voter must sign the voter’s certificate on the return envelope. Voted absentee ballots must be received by 7:00 p.m. on election day at the office of the Supervisor of Elections.