At anytime prior to an election, a voter may apply in person at the office of and to the person in charge of the election for an absentee ballot during regular office hours up to 5:00 p.m. on the day before the election. If the voter applies in person, the voter shall complete a combined absentee ballot application/return envelope and show the person in charge of the election the voter’s identification card as required in § 12-18-6.1 or complete the affidavit as provided in § 12-18-6.2.

In the event of confinement because of sickness or disability, a qualified voter may apply pursuant to the provisions of § 12-19-2 in writing and obtain an absentee ballot by authorized messenger so designated over the signature of the voter. The person in charge of the election may deliver to the authorized messenger a ballot to be delivered to the qualified voter. Any application for a ballot by authorized messenger must be received by the person in charge of the election before 3:00 p.m. the day of the election. If the application designating an authorized messenger also indicates a request for an absentee ballot for any future election, such absentee ballot shall be mailed to the address provided on the application. If no address is provided, the ballot shall be mailed to the person’s voter registration address.

Source: SL 1980, ch 115, § 3; SL 1983, ch 114; SL 2003, ch 82, § 4; SL 2005, ch 93, § 1; SL 2006, ch 72, § 3; SL 2012, ch 85, § 1; SL 2013, ch 66, § 3.