How and Where to Apply for an Absentee Ballot
Qualifications for Absentee Voters
In order to vote by Absentee Ballot, you must be a registered voter, (unless you are a member of the Armed Forces or a hospitalized or bedridden veteran outside your county of residence). You must also either be:
- Unable to attend your polling place due to illness or physical disability
- Absent from your municipality of residence on the day of the election during the time the polls are open due to duties, occupation or business; or
- Not attending your polling place on the day of the election during the time the polls are open due to your observance of a religious holiday.
How to Apply for an Absentee Ballot
Applications for Absentee Ballots are available at the Berks County Election Services Office, 1st Floor of the County Services Building, located at the corner of Reed and Court Streets, downtown Reading, PA 19601 or for more information you may call (610) 478-64900. Regular business hours are 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
You may also obtain an application from the Pennsylvania Department of State's Web site or the Election Services Web site under Forms & Applications There you may download, print, complete, sign and send the form to:
Attn: Election Services
County Services Center
Berks County
633 Court St
Reading, PA 19601
Upon receipt and approval of the completed Absentee Ballot application, the Office will then mail the Absentee Ballot as soon as it is printed.
For fastest results, personally visit the Office and complete an application. As soon as the ballots are printed, if you are properly registered, you will be handed an absentee ballot to vote right there. It takes only a few minutes.
Deadline to Apply for an Absentee Ballot
Completed Absentee Ballot applications must be received in the Election Services Office no later than 5:00 p.m. on the Tuesday prior to the Primary or Election.
It is strongly suggested that you secure, complete and return your Absentee Ballot application as soon as possible. This will provide sufficient mailing time for us to receive and process your application, mail your ballot, and allow you to vote and return your ballot by the deadline.
Deadline for Return of Your Voted Absentee Ballot
All voted Absentee Ballots must be received in the Election Services Office no later than 5:00 p.m. on the Friday prior to the prior Primary or Election in order to be counted.
Important Instructions for
Returning your Voted Absentee Ballot
All voted Absentee Ballots must be sent by mail or express or overnight mail (which includes DHL, FedEx and UPS, for example) or delivered IN PERSON by the absentee ballot voter. Voted absentee ballots returned by any other means will not be accepted or counted by the Board of Elections. Disabled voters may designate another person to assist in obtaining and delivering their absentee ballot. More information and the necessary form(s) or application(s) for this voting option may be obtained on the website under Forms & Applications
How and Where to Apply for an Alternative Ballot
Qualifications for Alternative Ballot Voters
Public Law 98-435 provides that elderly and disabled voters who are assigned to an inaccessible polling place be provided with an alternative means of casting their ballot on the day of the Primary or Election. In order to qualify for an Alternative Ballot pursuant to P.L.98-435, you must be a registered voter and:
- You must be 65 years of age (or older) or have a temporary or permanent physical disability which prohibits you from entering a polling place with architectural barriers and;
- Your polling place has been designated as "inaccessible"
In order to determine whether or not your polling place is "inaccessible", please contact the Election Services Office at (610) 478-6490.
How to Apply for an Alternative Ballot
Applications for Alternative Ballots are available at the Berks County Election Services Office, 1st Floor of the County Services Building, located at the corner of Reed and Court Streets, downtown Reading, PA 19601 or for more information you may call (610) 478-6490. Regular business hours are 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
You may also obtain an application from the Pennsylvania Department of State's Web site or the Election Services Web site under Forms & Applications. There you may download, print, complete, sign and send the form to:
Attn: Election Services
County Services Center
Berks County
633 Court St
Reading, PA 19601-2953
Upon receipt and approval of the completed Alternative Ballot application, the Elections Division will then mail the Alternative Ballot as soon as it has been printed.
Deadline to Apply for an Alternative Ballot
Completed Alternative Ballot applications must be received in the office of the Elections Division no later than 5:00 p.m. on the Tuesday prior to the Primary or Election.
It is strongly suggested that you secure, complete and return your Alternative Ballot applications as soon as possible. This will provide sufficient mailing time for us to receive and process your application, mail your ballot, and allow you to vote and return your ballot by the deadline.
Deadline for Return of Your Voted Alternative Ballot
All voted Absentee Ballots must be received in the office of the Elections Services no later than 8:00 p.m. on the day of the Primary or Election in order to be counted.
Important Instructions for
Returning your Voted Alternative Ballot
All voted Alternative Ballots must be sent by mail or express or overnight mail (which includes DHL, FedEx and UPS, for example) or delivered IN PERSON by the alternative ballot voter. Voted alternative ballots returned by any other means will not be accepted or counted by the Elections Division. Disabled voters may designate another person to assist in obtaining and delivering their alternative ballot. More information and the necessary form(s) or application(s) for this voting option may be obtained on the Pennsylvania Department of State's Web site.