Vote-by-mail refers to voting a ballot received by mail or picked up by or for a voter instead of going to the polls to vote during early voting or on Election Day. Any registered voter can vote by mail. You can request a vote-by-mail ballot for a specific election or for all elections through the end of the calendar year of the next regularly scheduled general election. Once expired, you will need to renew your request.
A vote-by-mail ballot is not forwardable by the U.S. Postal Service. A ballot returned undeliverable will cancel all future requests and must be renewed. Make sure you provide the Elections Office with the correct address where you would like your ballot mailed. Your ballot will be mailed to your residential address unless the Elections Office has another authorized address on file. By law, special accommodations are available for military and overseas voters.
Request A Mail Ballot
Track Your Mail Ballot
REQUESTING YOUR VOTE-BY-MAIL BALLOT
A request for a vote-by-mail ballot may be made in one of the following ways:
Online: Vote-By-Mail Service
Phone: (772) 226-4700
In Person: Indian River County Supervisor of Elections, 4375 43rd Ave, Vero Beach, FL 32967
In Writing: English Request Form / Formulario de solicitud en español
Email: [email protected] (You can email a picture of your signed written request)
Fax: 772-770-5367
Mail: Indian River County Supervisor of Elections, 4375 43rd Ave, Vero Beach, FL 32967
When sending a vote-by-mail ballot to an address not on file with the Florida Voter Registration System, the request must be in writing and signed by the voter. The online mail ballot request service system will notify you if the address is not already on file and you will be prompted to print, sign and submit your request to the Elections Office.
To request an ADA Accessible Ballot, contact the Elections Office at 772-226-4702 or 772-226-4718.
Voters with Special Needs
DEADLINE TO REQUEST
The deadline to request a vote-by-mail ballot to be mailed is 5 p.m. on the 12th day before Election Day.
A voter can pick up a vote-by-mail ballot at the Indian River County Supervisor of Elections office; these ballots are generally available (6) weeks before the date of the election.
If a voter is unable to pick up their own ballot, he or she may designate another person to pick up their vote-by-mail ballot after vote-by-mail ballots have been mailed and up to 7 p.m. on Election Day. The designee must provide a picture ID along with a written and signed authorization from the voter or provide the following affidavit (DS-DE 37). The designee may only pick up two (2) mail ballots per election other than his or her own, except for the ballots picked up for members of his or her immediate family.
In order to receive a vote-by-mail ballot during the mandatory early voting period and up to 7 p.m. on Election Day, you must complete the affidavit (DS-DE 136) to affirm that you have an emergency keeping you from being able to vote at a designated early voting site.
The Florida Division of Elections DS-DE 37 & DS-DE 136 can be found on the Florida Division of Elections website.
The Florida Division of Elections website is elections.myflorida.com
VOTING YOUR VOTE-BY-MAIL BALLOT
Detailed instructions are included with the vote-by-mail ballot, please follow them carefully. Make sure to include your signature or legal mark on the Voter's Certificate Envelope, as failure to do so may cause your ballot not to count.
You must personally vote your own ballot unless assistance is required due to blindness, disability, or inability to read or write. Power of attorney cannot sign for a voter.
If you misplace or make a mistake on your ballot, let us know immediately so that we can send you a replacement ballot. A voter can receive up to (3) vote-by-mail ballots, but the first one received by our office will be the one that is counted. Once the Elections Office has received your vote-by-mail ballot, your ballot has been cast and no changes can be made.
If you decide to go to the polls to vote instead of voting your vote-by-mail ballot, bring your vote-by-mail ballot (marked or not) with you. The vote-by-mail ballot will be cancelled and you can vote a regular ballot. If you arrive to the polls without your vote-by-mail ballot, our office will need to confirm that we have not received your vote-by-mail ballot in order for you to be eligible to vote a regular ballot. If the Elections Office has received your vote-by-mail ballot, you cannot vote a regular ballot. However, if you dispute that you have already voted, you will be allowed to vote a provisional ballot. The status of your provisional ballot will be determined by the canvassing board.
RETURNING YOUR VOTE-BY-MAIL BALLOT
Don't forget to put your ballot in the return envelope provided and sign the envelope.
Your ballot must be received at the Supervisor of Elections office by 7 p.m. on Election Day for it to be counted.
You can return your ballot in person at the Elections Office during business hours, by mail (USPS, FedEx, UPS, etc.), or at each early voting location (during early voting hours). If you return your ballot by mail, the Post Office recommends that ballots be mailed to the Elections Office at least one week prior to Election Day.
It is important to keep your signature/identifying mark up to date with the Elections Office. Your signature on file with the Elections Office is used to verify the signature on your vote-by-mail ballot certificate envelope. You can update your signature/identifying mark by completing and submitting a Voter Registration Application (DS-DE 39) to the Elections Office before your voted ballot is received.
The Florida Division of Elections DS-DE 39 can be found on the Florida Division of Elections website.
The Florida Division of Elections website is elections.myflorida.com
For more information about voting by mail, Email the Vote-by-Mail Department.