It's best to double check with your state for any recent changes to election rules in your state.
Military and Overseas voters should visit the Overseas Vote Foundation. Vote.org's information should only be used by voters with US mailing addresses.
What is Absentee Voting?
Absentee voting (aka “mail-in voting” and “by-mail voting”) is conducted by mail-in ballot before the day of Election Day. All states will mail a ballot to voters if certain conditions are met. The voter may return the ballot in person or by mail. Some states will let voters apply for an absentee ballot in person before Election Day and then vote the ballot that same day.
Excuse: Voters in these states will need to provide a valid excuse for not voting on Election Day in order to vote by absentee ballot.
No excuse: Any voter in these states can vote by absentee ballot, even if they are able to vote in person on Election Day.
Mail-in Only: Voters in these states only need to request an absentee ballot if they need their ballot mailed to a different address.
Pick your state from the list below to learn more about the absentee rules in your state.
Alabama absentee ballot rules
You need to include a copy of your ID with this form. Check our Alabama Voter ID Laws page for a list of acceptable forms of ID
No absentee ballot application may be mailed in the same envelope as another voter's absentee ballot application.
You will be absent from the county on Election Day.
You are ill or have a physical disability that prevents a trip to the polling place.
You are a registered Alabama voter who is temporarily living outside the county (such as a member of the armed forces, a voter employed outside of the United States, a college student, or a spouse or child of such a person).
You are an appointed election officer or poll watcher at a polling place other than your regular polling place.
You work a required shift - 10 hours or more - that coincides with polling hours.
You are a caregiver for a family member who is confined to the home.
You are incarcerated but otherwise eligible to vote.
You need to include a copy of your photo ID when you return your absentee ballot. Check our Arkansas Voter ID Laws page for a list of acceptable forms of ID.
Absentee ballots will automatically be sent to all registered voters. If you need your ballot sent somewhere other than your usual address, contact your local election official at least one month before the election so you have time to receive the ballot.
Mail ballots must be received by the time the polls close at 7:00pm on Election Day. If you are dropping off your ballot in person or at a dropbox, you are allowed to cast your ballot if you’re in line by 7:00pm on Tuesday, November 8.
Mail ballots will automatically be sent to all registered voters. If you need your ballot sent somewhere other than your usual address, contact your local election official at least one month before the election so you have time to receive the ballot. The deadline to request a mail ballot a new address is 8 days before Election Day.
You may vote by absentee ballot in Connecticut if:
You will be absent from town during all the hours of voting.
You have an illness which prevents you from voting in person.
You have a physical disability which prevents you from voting in person.
You are on active duty within the U.S. military.
Your religious tenets forbid secular (non-religious) activity on Election Day.
You are required to perform of duties as a primary, referendum, or election official at a polling place other than your own during all the hours of voting on Election Day.
Some counties will let you order your absentee ballot online. Please check with your Supervisor of Elections to see if this is possible in your county.
Due to a change in the law, your absentee ballot application must now be received by the County Board of Registrars at least 11 days before Election Day.
Absentee ballots will automatically be sent to all registered voters. If you need your ballot sent somewhere other than your usual address, contact your local election official as soon as possible (but at least seven days before the election) to fill out an Absentee Ballot Application so you have time to receive the ballot.
There are special deadlines for requesting an absentee ballot when a voter is physically unable to vote in-person on Election Day because of a hospital stay starting after the normal deadline to request an absentee ballot. In this situation, the voter may request an "emergency situation absentee ballot" from the county clerk no earlier than 5 days prior to the election and no later than 5pm on the Monday before the election.
You have a specific, reasonable expectation that you will be absent from the county on Election Day during the entire 12 hours that the polls are open (6am until 6pm).
You have a disability.
You are at least 65 years of age.
You will have official election duties outside of your voting precinct (election officer, official poll watcher, challenger, pollbook holder, or employed by the election board to work during the election).
You are scheduled to work at your regular place of employment during the entire 12 hours that the polls are open.
You will be confined due to illness or injury or you will be caring for an individual confined due to illness or injury during the entire 12 hours that the polls are open.
You are prevented from voting because of a religious discipline or religious holiday during the entire 12 hours that the polls are open.
You are a participant in the state's address confidentiality program.
You are a serious sex offender as defined in Indiana Code 35-42-4-14(a).
You are a member of the Indiana National Guard deployed or on assignment inside Indiana, or a public safety officer.
You are prevented from voting due to the unavailability of transportation to the polls.
You are eligible under the relevant provisions of state law to vote at your place of previous registration.
You are an absent uniformed services voter or overseas voter.
If you registered to vote by mail or online, you must vote in person the first time you vote. This rule does not apply if you are a military or overseas voter; a senior citizen (65+); homebound because of a disability; a participant in the state's address confidentiality program; or student who included a copy of your student ID or tuition bill with your voter registration form; or if you visited your registrar of voters in-person after registering to vote to verify identity.
Be sure to complete the entire affidavit on the ballot envelope. You must write in the date of the election, your ward and precinct, and your mother's maiden name. You must also have a witness sign the ballot envelope.
The following individuals are qualified to apply for an absentee ballot and vote by mail in Louisiana:
You are a student or teacher located and living outside of your parish of registration, or the spouse/dependent thereof.
You are 65 years of age or older.
An active member of the armed services, or the spouse/dependent thereof.
You reside outside of the United States.
You have a disability and submit any of the following: proof of disability from your healthcare provider; a copy of a current mobility impairment ID card; or documentation showing eligibility for social security disability benefits, veterans disability benefits, paratransit services, benefits from the office for citizens with developmental disabilities, or benefits from Louisiana Rehabilitation Services (or is otherwise eligible to participate in the Special Program for Handicapped Voters).
You are a minister, priest, rabbi, or other member of the clergy assigned outside of your parish of registration, or the spouse/dependent thereof.
You are or expect to be temporarily outside the territorial limits of the state or absent from your parish of registration during the early voting period and on Election Day.
You moved your residence to another parish more than 100 miles from the parish seat of your former residence after the voter registration books closed (the books close 30 days prior to Election Day).
You are involuntarily confined in an institution for mental treatment outside your parish of registration and you are not interdicted and not judicially declared incompetent.
You expect to be hospitalized on Election Day and did not have knowledge until after the time for early voting had expired; you were hospitalized during the time for early voting and you expect to be hospitalized on Election Day; or you were either hospitalized or restricted to bed by your physician during early voting and on Election Day.
You work or expect to be offshore working and expect to be out of your precinct of registration both during the early voting period and on Election Day because of your employment or occupation.
You are incarcerated in an institution inside or outside of your parish of registration and you are not serving time for a felony conviction;
You are a program participant in the Department of State's Address Confidentiality Program.
You will be sequestered for jury service on the day of Election Day.
You are the secretary of state, an employee of the secretary of state, or an employee of the registrar of voters.
A witness must sign your absentee ballot envelope to verify that your ballot was delivered blank and that you marked the ballot in private. The witness can be a notary from any state or a registered Minnesota voter.
Only certain voters can request an absentee ballot and only a few categories of absentee voters may request a mailed ballot. Voters who are required to be at work while the polling places are open on Election Day or will be out of town, must absentee vote in person. Voters who are 65 or older, have a permanent or temporary physical disability, or are temporarily residing outside their county of residence may absentee vote by mail. Additionally, any person who is the parent, spouse or dependent of a temporarily or permanently physically disabled person who is hospitalized outside of their county of residence (or more than 50 miles away from their residence), and such parent, spouse or dependent will be with such person on election day, may obtain absentee ballots by mail.
You may vote by absentee ballot in Mississippi if:
You will be away from your county on Election Day for any reason.
You are a student, teacher, or administrator at a school whose studies or employment there necessitates your absence from your county on Election Day; or you are the spouse or dependent thereof.
You have a temporary or permanent physical disability that renders you unable to vote in person without substantial hardship.
You are the parent, spouse, or dependent of a person with a temporary or permanent physical disability who is hospitalized outside of their county of residence or more than fifty (50) miles away, and you (the parent, spouse or dependent) will be with that person on Election Day.
You are sixty-five (65) years of age or older.
You will be unable to vote in person because you are required to be at work on Election Day during the times at which the polls will be open.
You are a member, spouse, or dependent of the congressional delegation absent from Mississippi on Election Day.
You are a disabled war veteran (or spouse or dependent of such a person) in a hospital.
You are a member (or spouse or dependent of such a person) of the Merchant Marine or American Red Cross.
No excuse is required to vote in-person by absentee ballot beginning the second Tuesday before Election Day.
Before that date, you can vote by absentee ballot in Missouri if:
You will be absent from your voting jurisdiction on Election Day.
You are incapacitated or confined due to illness or physical disability on Election Day, or primarily responsible for caring for a person who resides at the same address who is incapacitated or confined due to illness or disability.
You are restricted by religious belief or practice.
You are employed as or by an Election Day authority at a location other than your polling place.
You are employed as a first responder.
You are employed as a health care worker.
You are employed as a member of law enforcement.
You are incarcerated but have retained all your voting qualifications.
You are a program participant in the Department of State's Address Confidentiality Program.
Absentee ballots will automatically be sent to all registered voters. If you need your ballot sent somewhere other than your usual address, contact your local election official at least one month before the election so you have time to receive the ballot.
You may vote by absentee ballot in New Hampshire if:
You will be absent on the day of any state election from the county, city, or town in which you are registered to vote.
You are unable appear in public on Election Day because of your observance of a religious commitment.
You are unable to vote in person by reason of physical disability.
You are unable to vote in person by reason of military service.
You are unable to appear at any time during polling hours at your polling place because an employment obligation (including the care of children or infirm adults, with or without compensation) requires you to remain physically at work or to be in transit to or from work from the time the polls open until after the time the polls close.
You may vote by absentee ballot in New York if you expect to be:
Absent from your county or, if a resident of New York City, absent from New York City, on Election Day.
Unable to appear at the polling place because of illness or physical disability or duties related to the primary care of one or more individuals who are ill or physically disabled, or because you will be or are a patient in a hospital.
A resident or patient of a Veterans Health Administration Hospital.
Detained in jail awaiting Grand Jury action or confined in prison after conviction for an offense other than a felony.
You must put your NC driver's license number, state ID number or the last four digits of your social security number on the absentee application. One notary public or two witnesses must be in your presence when you mark your absentee ballot. They should only observe you marking your ballot, not how you vote.
You must put your OH driver's license number or the last four digits of your Social Security number on this form. If you don't have one of these numbers then you'll need to include a photocopy of your ID with this form. Check our Ohio Voter ID Laws page for a list of acceptable forms of ID.
Unless you are physically incapacitated or caring for a person who is incapacitated, you must have your absentee ballot affidavit notarized. (Note: Oklahoma limits the number of absentee ballot affidavits a single notary can sign to no more than 20 without special authorization.)
Absentee ballots will automatically be sent to all registered voters. If you need your ballot sent somewhere other than your usual address, contact your local election official at least one month before the election so you have time to receive the ballot.
To submit an application for an absentee or mail-in ballot, you must provide identification including a Pennsylvania driver's license number or PennDOT photo ID card number. A voter without one of those may provide the last four digits of their Social Security number. If a voter does not have any of those forms of ID, they will need to include a photocopy of a current and valid ID that includes their name, photo, and an expiration date with their application. Examples of these IDs include: U.S. Passport; U.S. Military ID (active duty and retired military ID may designate an expiration date that is indefinite). Military dependents' ID must contain a current expiration date; employee photo identification issued by Federal, Pennsylvania, Pennsylvania county, or Pennsylvania municipal government; photo identification issued by an accredited Pennsylvania public or private institution of higher learning; or photo identification issued by a Pennsylvania care facility, including long-term care facilities, assisted living residences and personal care homes.
To have your absentee or mail-in ballot counted, you must seal the inner secrecy envelope and be sure to sign and date the voter's declaration on the outer return envelope.
Pennsylvania voters have different options to vote by mail including absentee and mail-in ballot.
Any qualified voter may apply for a mail-in ballot. You may simply request a mail-in ballot without a reason.
Alternatively, a voter may also request an absentee ballot in Pennsylvania if the voter is:
A college student who is not registered to vote at their school address.
Serving in the US military or the spouse or dependent of someone serving in the US military who expects to be absent on Election Day.
A member of a religious or welfare group attached to and serving with the armed forces or the spouse or a dependent resident with or accompanying them, who expect to be absent on election day.
A member of the Merchant Marine or the spouse or dependent resident with or accompanying a Merchant Marine, who expects to be absent on Election Day.
Unable to attend your polling place or operate a voting machine and obtain assistance by distinct and audible statements because of illness or physical disability.
Will not attend a polling place on Election Day because of observance of a religious holiday.
A county employee who expects your Election Day duties will prevent you from voting.
A qualified war veteran who is bedridden or hospitalized due to illness or physical disability and is unable to attend their polling place because of such illness of physical disability.
A spouse or dependent accompanying a person employed by the Commonwealth or the federal government, in the event that the employee’s duties, occupation or business on election day require them to be absent.
Persons voting absentee by mail must have their signature on the ballot return envelope witnessed. The witness must also sign the return ballot envelope.
You may vote by absentee ballot in South Carolina if you will be away from the county of your residence on Election Day AND one of the following:
You are a student away at college (or a spouse or dependent residing with the student).
You are serving with the American Red Cross or with the United Service Organization (USO) and are attached to and serving with the Armed Forces (or a spouse or dependent residing with such a person).
You are a government employee (or a spouse or dependent residing with such a person).
You are on vacation.
You live overseas.
You may vote by absentee ballot in South Carolina whether or not you will be away from the county of your residence if:
You are physically disabled.
Your job prevents you from voting.
You are a certified poll watcher, poll manager, or county election official and you will be working on Election Day.
You are attending to sick or physically disabled persons.
You have been admitted to the hospital as an emergency patient on day of election or at least four days prior to Election Day.
There has been a death or funeral in your family within three days before Election Day.
You are on jury duty in state or federal court on Election Day.
You are 65 or older.
You are confined to a jail or pre-trial facility pending disposition of arrest or trial.
You are a member of the Armed Forces or Merchant Marines (or a spouse or dependent residing with such a person).
You must send a copy your South Dakota photo ID with your absentee ballot application. Check our South Dakota Voter ID Laws page for a list of acceptable forms of ID. If you can't get a copy of an acceptable form of photo ID, then you must have your absentee ballot application signed and notarized.
You will be outside the county of registration during the early voting period and all day on Election Day.
You or your spouse are enrolled as a full-time student in an accredited college or university outside the county of registration.
You will be unable to vote in person due to service as a juror for a federal or state court.
You are sixty (60) years of age or older.
You have a physical disability and your polling place is inaccessible.
You are hospitalized, ill, or physically disabled and because of such condition, cannot vote in person.
You are the caretaker of a person who is hospitalized, ill, or disabled.
You are a candidate for office in the election.
You serve as an Election Day official or as a member or employee of Election Day commission.
You will be observing a religious holiday which prevents you from voting in person during the early voting period and on Election Day.
You or your spouse possess a valid commercial drivers license (CDL) or Transportation Worker Identification Credential (TWIC) and you certify that you will be working outside the state or county of registration during the early voting period and all day on Election Day.
You are a member of the military or an overseas citizen.
A licensed physician has filed a statement with the county election commission stating that, in the physician's judgment, you are medically unable to vote in person. The statement must be filed not less than seven (7) days before Election Day and signed under the penalty of perjury.
You reside in a licensed facility providing relatively permanent domiciliary care, other than a penal institution, outside the voter's county of residence.
If you are one of the last two, you can apply to be a permanent absentee voter.
If you are a first-time voter and you did not provide either your Texas drivers license number or Social Security number on your voter registration form, you need to include a copy of photo ID with your application (disabled persons are exempt). Check our Texas Voter ID Laws page for a list of acceptable forms of ID
Effective, December 2, 2021, when applying for an early vote or absentee ballot, you will have to provide the number from your driver's license, election ID certificate, or state ID card if you have one. The driver's license or state ID card can be expired for this purpose if it is otherwise valid. If you haven't been issued any of those cards, then you must provide the last four digits of your social security number. If you haven't been issued any of those documents, you will be allowed to sign a statement attesting to that fact. In addition, when returning your absentee ballot, this same identification information must be included where indicated on the carrier envelope.
Absentee ballots will automatically be sent to all registered voters. If you need your ballot sent somewhere other than your usual address, contact your local election official at least one month before the election so you have time to receive the ballot.
Absentee ballots will automatically be sent to all registered voters for the general elections. If you need your ballot sent somewhere other than the address where you're registered, or you do not receive a ballot, and would like to vote absentee, apply for an absentee ballot prior to the day before the election. Any registered voter can request an absentee ballot for the primary election.
Absentee voters must complete their ballot in the presence of a witness, who must also sign the absentee ballot envelope. If a ballot envelope is missing a witness signature, the voter will be contacted within three days of receipt by the local voter registration office and asked to correct it.
Absentee ballots will automatically be sent to all registered voters. If you need your ballot sent somewhere other than your usual address, contact your local election official at least one month before the election so you have time to receive the ballot.
All registered West Virginia voters may vote by absentee ballot in person during the period of early voting. You may vote by absentee ballot by mail in West Virginia if:
You will be absent from the county during both the early voting period and Election Day because of personal or business travel or attendance at a college, university or other place of education or training; Employment that makes voting in person impossible because of the hours worked and distance from the county seat You are confined to a specific location and prevented from voting in person due to an illness, injury, other medical reason (including concerns of COVID-19), physical disability, or advanced age; You are incarcerated or detained in jail or a home on Election Day, but not under conviction of any felony, of treason, or of bribery (including any period of probation or parole); You are a participant in the Address Confidentiality Program (ACP) with the Office of the Secretary of State; The county absentee voting office and your polling place are inaccessible to to you due to your physical disability; You temporarily reside outside of the county; You serve as an elected or appointed state or federal official.
If you have not previously provided proof of ID when applying for an absentee ballot, you must include a copy of your photo ID with your ballot application. This rule does not apply if you are: indefinitely confined, residing in a care facility, a military voter, or an overseas voter.
Additionally, when voting absentee, you must vote your ballot in the presence of a witness. A witness can be any U.S. citizen who is at least 18 years old as long as they are not a candidate on the ballot for the election. For military and overseas voters, a witness must be at least 18 years old, but is not required to be a citizen.
