Want to Vote Absentee? Here's How

Voters who want to cast their ballot through the mail this fall can request an application now. 

For Cuyahoga County voters, this is a bit of a change. In recent years, the county  to all registered voters. But after , the county  this fall. 

But anyone can still vote absentee in Ohio by requesting a ballot. Download an application from the Cuyahoga County Board of Elections website or call the board at 216-443-3298. Applications are also available at the and .

Mike Gallagher, a member of the Cuyahoga County Council, said encouraging voting by mail became necessary after there were problems at crowded polling locations, including lines out the door and late closings.

"Ohio in particular, with Florida, became laughingstocks because of those problems," Gallagher said.

Absentee ballot applications will again be mailed in 2012.

According to the Board of Elections, applications for absentee ballots must be received by the Saturday before an election. To vote absentee in the Nov. 8 election, that means the board must have a voter’s request by Nov. 5. 

Returned ballots must be postmarked by Nov. 7 to be counted. 

Voters can also drop absentee ballots off in person on Election Day, Nov. 8.