The FBI confirmed as much on Wednesday. “We have not seen, to date, a coordinated national voter fraud effort during a major election,” a senior Federal Bureau of Investigation official said in a call with reporters. “It would be extraordinarily difficult to change a federal election outcome through this type of fraud alone.”
How to Get Started
OK, so how do you do it? If you live in Colorado, Hawaii, Oregon, Washington, and Utah, you’ve already had almost total mail voting in previous elections, so just proceed as usual. But the first step is always to make sure you’re registered to vote. You can check your current status and find your state’s directions at Vote.gov. Once you’re registered, you’ll need to request a mail ballot if your state isn’t going to send you one automatically, fill it out when it arrives, and return it with as much time left as possible before Election Day. You can find all the state-by-state details below.
In most states you can also return your ballot in person, either at municipal offices like your county clerk’s office or to secure drop boxes set up specifically for this purpose in your area. You can also return your ballot to a polling place on Election Day in many states. If you want to go that route, find your state’s election website here for details.
Otherwise, the specifics of mail voting in every state are below. But first a quick note about who can and can’t vote in presidential elections. People born in and living in Puerto Rico, Guam, American Samoa, the Virgin Islands, or the Northern Mariana Islands are US citizens or US nationals and can vote in congressional elections and presidential primaries, but can’t vote in presidential elections. In many states people who have been convicted of a felony can’t vote for a period of time or indefinitely. Intellectual disabilities can also impact voting rights in different states. All other US citizens who are 18 or older can vote, even if they’re homeless (though this can be challenging in practice).
Now scroll to your home state for specific details. Happy voting!
Alabama
Deadline to register: October 19
Request a ballot: Here
Deadline to request ballot: October 29
Excuse Needed: No
Deadline to postmark: November 2
Ballot must be received by: November 3, Election Day, 12pm
Ballot Tracking: Yes
Alaska
Deadline to register: October 4
Request a ballot: Here
Deadline to request ballot: October 24
Excuse Needed: No
Deadline to postmark: November 3, Election Day
Ballot must be received by: November 13
Ballot Tracking: Yes
Arizona
Deadline to register: October 5
Request a ballot: Sent automatically
Deadline to request ballot: N/A
Excuse Needed: No
Deadline to postmark: N/A
Ballot must be received by: November 3, Election Day
Ballot Tracking: Yes
Arkansas
Deadline to register: October 5
Request a ballot: Here
Deadline to request ballot: October 27
Excuse Needed: No
Deadline to postmark: N/A
Ballot must be received by: November 3, Election Day
Ballot Tracking: Yes
California
Deadline to register: October 19
Request a ballot: Sent automatically
Deadline to request ballot: N/A
Excuse Needed: No
Deadline to postmark: November 3, Election Day
Ballot must be received by: November 20
Ballot Tracking: Yes
Notes: Register in person on Election Day
Colorado
Deadline to register: October 26
Request a ballot: Sent automatically
Deadline to request ballot: N/A
Excuse Needed: No
Deadline to postmark: N/A
Ballot must be received by: November 3, Election Day
Ballot Tracking: Yes
Notes: Register in person on Election Day
Connecticut
Deadline to register: October 27
Request a ballot: Sent automatically
Deadline to request ballot: N/A
Excuse Needed: No
Deadline to postmark: N/A
Ballot must be received by: November 3, Election Day
Ballot Tracking: No
Notes: Register in person on Election Day
Delaware
Deadline to register: October 10
Request a ballot: Sent automatically
Deadline to request ballot: N/A
Excuse Needed: No
Deadline to postmark: N/A
Ballot must be received by: November 3, Election Day
Ballot Tracking: Yes
District of Columbia
Deadline to register: October 13
Request a ballot: Sent automatically
Deadline to request ballot: N/A
Excuse Needed: No
Deadline to postmark: November 3, Election Day
Ballot must be received by: November 10
Ballot Tracking: Yes
Notes: Register in person on Election Day
Florida
Deadline to register: October 5
Request a ballot: Here
Deadline to request ballot: October 24
Excuse Needed: No
Deadline to postmark: N/A
Ballot must be received by: November 3, Election Day
Ballot Tracking: Yes
Georgia
Deadline to register: October 5
Request a ballot: Here
Deadline to request ballot: October 30
Excuse Needed: No
Deadline to postmark: N/A
Ballot must be received by: November 3, Election Day
Ballot Tracking: Yes
Hawaii
Deadline to register: October 5
Request a ballot: Sent automatically
Deadline to request ballot: N/A
Excuse Needed: No
Deadline to postmark: N/A
Ballot must be received by: November 3, Election Day
Ballot Tracking: No
Notes: Register in person on Election Day
Idaho
Deadline to register: October 9
Request a ballot: Here
Deadline to request ballot: October 23
Excuse Needed: No
Deadline to postmark: N/A
Ballot must be received by: November 3, Election Day
Ballot Tracking: Yes
Notes: Register in person on Election Day
Illinois
Deadline to register: October 18
Request a ballot: Here
Deadline to request ballot: October 29
Excuse Needed: No
Deadline to postmark: November 3, Election Day
Ballot must be received by: November 17
Ballot Tracking: No
Notes: Register in person on Election Day
Indiana
Deadline to register: October 5
Request a ballot: Here (Automatic PDF download)
Deadline to request ballot: October 22
Excuse Needed: Yes
Deadline to postmark: N/A
Ballot must be received by: November 3, Election Day
Ballot Tracking: No
Iowa
Deadline to register: October 24
Request a ballot: Here
Deadline to request ballot: October 24
Excuse Needed: No
Deadline to postmark: November 2
Ballot must be received by: November 9
Ballot Tracking: Yes
Notes: Register in person on Election Day
Kansas
Deadline to register: October 13
Request a ballot: Here
Deadline to request ballot: October 27
Excuse Needed: No
Deadline to postmark: November 3, Election Day
Ballot must be received by: November 6
Ballot Tracking: Yes
Kentucky
Deadline to register: October 5
Request a ballot: Here
Deadline to request ballot: October 27
Excuse Needed: Yes
Deadline to postmark: N/A
Ballot must be received by: November 3, Election Day
Ballot Tracking: Yes
Louisiana
Deadline to register: October 14
Request a ballot: Here or here
Deadline to request ballot: October 30
Excuse Needed: Yes
Deadline to postmark: N/A
Ballot must be received by: November 3, Election Day
Ballot Tracking: Yes
Maine
Deadline to register: October 13
Request a ballot: Here
Deadline to request ballot: October 29
Excuse Needed: No
Deadline to postmark: N/A
Ballot must be received by: November 3, Election Day
Ballot Tracking: No
Notes: Register in person on Election Day
Maryland
Deadline to register: October 13
Request a ballot: Here
Deadline to request ballot: October 20
Excuse Needed: No
Deadline to postmark: November 3, Election Day
Ballot must be received by: November 13
Ballot Tracking: Yes
Notes: Register in person on Election Day
Massachussetts
Deadline to register: October 24
Request a ballot: Here
Deadline to request ballot: October 30
Excuse Needed: No
Deadline to postmark: November 3, Election Day
Ballot must be received by: November 6
Ballot Tracking: Yes
Michigan
Deadline to register: October 19
Request a ballot: Here
Deadline to request ballot: October 30
Excuse Needed: No
Deadline to postmark: N/A
Ballot must be received by: November 3, Election Day
Ballot Tracking: Yes
Notes: Register in person on Election Day
Minnesota
Deadline to register: October 13
Request a ballot: Here
Deadline to request ballot: November 2
Excuse Needed: No
Deadline to postmark: November 3, Election Day
Ballot must be received by: November 10
Ballot Tracking: Yes
Notes: Register in person on Election Day
Mississippi
Deadline to register: October 5
Request a ballot: Here
Deadline to request ballot: November 2
Excuse Needed: Yes
Deadline to postmark: November 3, Election Day
Ballot must be received by: November 8
Ballot Tracking: No
Missouri
Deadline to register: October 7
Request a ballot: Here
Deadline to request ballot: October 21
Excuse Needed: No
Deadline to postmark: N/A
Ballot must be received by: November 3, Election Day
Ballot Tracking: No
Montana
Deadline to register: October 5
Request a ballot: Here
Deadline to request ballot: Varies by county
Excuse Needed: No
Deadline to postmark: N/A
Ballot must be received by: November 3, Election Day
Ballot Tracking: Yes
Notes: Register in person on Election Day
Nebraska
Deadline to register: October 16
Request a ballot: Here
Deadline to request ballot: October 23
Excuse Needed: No
Deadline to postmark: N/A
Ballot must be received by: November 3, Election Day
Ballot Tracking: Yes
Notes: Register in person until October 23
Nevada
Deadline to register: October 6
Request a ballot: Sent automatically
Deadline to request ballot: Sent automatically
Excuse Needed: No
Deadline to postmark: November 3, Election Day
Ballot must be received by: November 10
Ballot Tracking: Yes
Notes: Register online through October 29. In person registration available on Election Day
New Hampshire
Deadline to register: October 21
Request a ballot: Here
Deadline to request ballot: November 2
Excuse Needed: No
Deadline to postmark: N/A
Ballot must be received by: November 3, Election Day
Ballot Tracking: Yes
Notes: Register in person on Election Day
New Jersey
Deadline to register: October 13
Request a ballot: Sent automatically
Deadline to request ballot: N/A
Excuse Needed: No
Deadline to postmark: November 3, Election Day
Ballot must be received by: November 10
Ballot Tracking: Yes
New Mexico
Deadline to register: October 6
Request a ballot: Here
Deadline to request ballot: October 30
Excuse Needed: No
Deadline to postmark: N/A
Ballot must be received by: November 3, Election Day
Ballot Tracking: No
Notes: Register in person through October 31
New York
Deadline to register: October 9
Request a ballot: Here
Deadline to request ballot: October 27
Excuse Needed: No
Deadline to postmark: November 3, Election Day
Ballot must be received by: November 10
Ballot Tracking: No
Notes: Request an absentee ballot in person until November 2
North Carolina
Deadline to register: October 9
Request a ballot: Here
Deadline to request ballot: October 27
Excuse Needed: No
Deadline to postmark: November 3, Election Day
Ballot must be received by: November 6
Ballot Tracking: Yes
North Dakota
Deadline to register: Not required
Request a ballot: Here
Deadline to request ballot: Varies by county
Excuse Needed: No
Deadline to postmark: November 2
Ballot must be received by: November 9
Ballot Tracking: Yes
Ohio
Deadline to register: October 5
Request a ballot: Here
Deadline to request ballot: October 31
Excuse Needed: No
Deadline to postmark: November 2
Ballot must be received by: November 13
Ballot Tracking: Yes
Oklahoma
Deadline to register: October 9
Request a ballot: Here or here
Deadline to request ballot: October 27
Excuse Needed: No
Deadline to postmark: October 27
Ballot must be received by: November 3, Election Day
Ballot Tracking: Yes
Oregon
Deadline to register: October 13
Request a ballot: Sent automatically
Deadline to request ballot: N/A
Excuse Needed: No
Deadline to postmark: N/A
Ballot must be received by: November 3, Election Day
Ballot Tracking: Yes
Pennsylvania
Deadline to register: October 19
Request a ballot: Here
Deadline to request ballot: October 27
Excuse Needed: No
Deadline to postmark: N/A
Ballot must be received by: November 3, Election Day
Ballot Tracking: Yes
Rhode Island
Deadline to register: October 3
Request a ballot: Here
Deadline to request ballot: October 14
Excuse Needed: No
Deadline to postmark: N/A
Ballot must be received by: November 3, Election Day
Ballot Tracking: Yes
Notes: Register online or in person through October 4
South Carolina
Deadline to register: October 5
Request a ballot: Here
Deadline to request ballot: October 30
Excuse Needed: Yes
Deadline to postmark: N/A
Ballot must be received by: November 3, Election Day
Ballot Tracking: Yes
Notes: Register in person through October 2 or online through October 4
South Dakota
Deadline to register: October 19
Request a ballot: Here
Deadline to request ballot: November 2
Excuse Needed: No
Deadline to postmark: N/A
Ballot must be received by: November 2
Ballot Tracking: Yes
Tennessee
Deadline to register: October 5
Request a ballot: Here
Deadline to request ballot: October 27
Excuse Needed: Yes
Deadline to postmark: N/A
Ballot must be received by: November 3, Election Day
Ballot Tracking: Yes
Texas
Deadline to register: October 5
Request a ballot: Here
Deadline to request ballot: October 23
Excuse Needed: Yes
Deadline to postmark: November 3, Election Day
Ballot must be received by: November 4
Ballot Tracking: Yes
Utah
Deadline to register: October 5
Request a ballot: Sent automatically
Deadline to request ballot: N/A
Excuse Needed: No
Deadline to postmark: November 2
Ballot must be received by: November 9
Ballot Tracking: Yes
Notes: Register online through October 23 or in person on Election Day
Vermont
Deadline to register: November 3, Election Day
Request a ballot: Sent automatically
Deadline to request ballot: N/A
Excuse Needed: No
Deadline to postmark: N/A
Ballot must be received by: November 2
Ballot Tracking: Yes
Notes: Register in person on Election Day
Virginia
Deadline to register: October 13
Request a ballot: Here
Deadline to request ballot: October 23 by mail and online, October 31 in person
Excuse Needed: No
Deadline to postmark: November 3, Election Day
Ballot must be received by: November 6
Ballot Tracking: Yes
Washington
Deadline to register: October 26
Request a ballot: Sent automatically
Deadline to request ballot: N/A
Excuse Needed: No
Deadline to postmark: November 3, Election Day
Ballot must be received by: No deadline
Ballot Tracking: Yes
Notes: Register in person through Election Day
West Virginia
Deadline to register: October 13
Request a ballot: Here
Deadline to request ballot: October 28
Excuse Needed: No
Deadline to postmark: November 3, Election Day
Ballot must be received by: November 9
Ballot Tracking: Yes
Wisconsin
Deadline to register: October 14
Request a ballot: Here
Deadline to request ballot: October 29
Excuse Needed: No
Deadline to postmark: N/A
Ballot must be received by: November 3, Election Day
Ballot Tracking: Yes
Notes: Register in person on Election Day
Wyoming
Deadline to register: October 20
Request a ballot: Here
Deadline to request ballot: November 2
Excuse Needed: No
Deadline to postmark: N/A
Ballot must be received by: November 2
Ballot Tracking: Yes
Notes: Register in person on Election Day
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