Numbered Memo 2012-07: Civilian Absentee Ballot Instructions

The absentee ballot request form that county boards must issue pursuant to G.S. § 163‐230.2 has been modified. This new form replaces the December 2011 version that was distributed on Jan. 23, 2012 in Numbered Memo 2012‐01.

As was stated in Numbered Memo 2012‐01:

• This form will now replace previous versions of the County Absentee Ballot Request Form.
• This form is for both civilian and military‐overseas voters.
• Only existing registered voters may use the new Absentee Ballot Request Form. If a requestor is not registered, he or she will need to register to vote using a regular voter registration application or the Federal Postcard Application or Federal Write‐in Absentee Ballot.
• A voter must meet the statutory definition of a uniformed services or overseas voter to be eligible to vote absentee under UMOVA; otherwise the request must be treated as a civilian absentee request.
• Unlike civilian absentee requests, to become eligible under UMOVA, only the eligible UOCAVA voter may sign the State Absentee Ballot Request Form; otherwise, as long as the form is signed by a near relative, it shall be treated as a civilian absentee ballot request.
• Current state law still requires that the State Absentee Ballot Request Form be uniquely issued to a voter upon request. Blank copies of this form may not be widely distributed. 

There is a sample version of this form on the State Board of Elections’ website. No third‐party group, committee, organization or any other entity may distribute the sample form for purposes of permitting individuals to request an absentee ballot. By state law, a “county board of elections shall issue a request form only to the voter seeking to vote by absentee ballot or to a [near relative].” See G.S. § 163‐230.2 (emphasis added).

Remember, when issuing these absentee ballot request forms, you must keep an absentee ballot request log. At a minimum, the request log should include the following information:

• Request Number
• Request Date
• Voter Name
• VRN
• Name of requestor
• Requestor’s address
• Requestor’s contact phone or email (if provided)
• Request Send Date
• Request Return Status
• Request Return Date

[Download the PDF below for the state absentee ballot request form attachment.]

↓ Civilian Absentee Ballot Instructions: Numbered Memo 2012-07 (PDF)

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