Absentee ballots can be requested by any registered voter or the voter's near relative (Near relative includes spouse, sibling, parent, grandparent, child, grandchild, father-in-law, mother-in-law, son-in-law, daughter-in-law, step-parent, or step-child.) or verifiable legal guardian.

Requests can be made only for the elections to be held in the calendar year that the request is made.

The written request for an absentee ballot may be sent by the methods noted below.  In all cases please make sure to sign the request:

• By mail to:  Board of Elections, Attn: Absentee Ballots, PO Box 868, Durham, NC, 27702
• By Fax to: Board of Elections (919) 560-0688.
• By email:   The written request can sent as a scanned attachment to absentee@durhamcountync.gov  (See below for email tips*)  This attachment must contain your signature.
  
  The request should be written entirely by the requester personally and include the:

• voter's name
• address in Durham County which should be the same address as your current voter registration
• address to mail ballot to
• date of birth
• signature
• It also is very helpful to include a phone number and/or and email address in case we need to contact you with any questions or problems concerning your request.
  

If the request is made by a near relative, it must include their name, address and relationship to the voter.

A separate request must be made for both the primary and election unless the person making the request is in the Military or sickness or physical disability is expected to keep the voter unable to go the polls during the entire period (NCGS 163-226 (a2)). If this is the case, please state so in your request, and all ballots for elections that you are qualified to vote in for this calendar year will be sent to you. This request must be renewed each year.

Military and Overseas Voters:  You are encouraged to use the Federal Post Card Application (FPCA) to request your absentee ballot.  If you are not registered to vote in Durham County it will also serve to accomplish that.  Please fill it out as thoroughly as possible and mail/fax/scan and email to us at your earliest convenience.  For military and overseas voters, that will insure you get ballots for all elections to be held this calendar year.  Click here to visit the Federal Voting Assistance Program and  to download a FPCA form and for more information.

If you have any questions, please contact the Board of Elections at the 919-560-0700, or email: absentee@durhamcountync.gov (See below for email tips*)