Long wait times and social-distancing can make voting in-person on Election Day a frustrating and time-consuming experience. However, many states offer options to vote early both in-person or by mail to help you avoid the potential crowds and get your vote in well before Election Day. We’ll go over how mail-in and absentee ballots work, changes this year due to COVID-19, and the dates for early voting by state.
Note: this information is valid as of 10/14/2020. Please visit your state or county’s voting website for the most current information.
Mail-in Voting
This election year, mail-in voting methods have made headlines as more options become available to voters in response to COVID-19. Mail-in voting is a voting method in which a voter can mail-in their ballots. In most cases, ballots are sent to voter’s homes and must be postmarked or received back on or before Election Day. In some states, voters may be given grace days of about a week in order to have their ballots counted.
Learn more about mail-in voting in this blog post from CNN.com and be sure to visit your Secretary of State’s website for more information on voting options available to you.
Absentee Ballots
Absentee voting involves mailing in or delivering a ballot to your local electoral officials before or on Election Day. Depending on your state, if you’re in the military overseas, currently attending an out-of-state university, or you have an illness, injury, or disability that would prevent you from voting in person, then an absentee ballot ensures you still have the ability to make your voice heard.
Requirements for absentee voting
Several states require you to meet certain conditions in order to be eligible for an absentee ballot. Be sure to check your state’s website ahead of time to determine if you are required to have a valid excuse in order to vote by absentee ballot.
Delivering absentee ballots
If you’re casting an absentee ballot, you have the option to deliver it either by mail or in person to the office listed on your ballot. Depending on your state, this may be your Secretary of State office, Elections Department, or another address. 28 states require mail-in ballots to arrive on or before Election Day, while the other 22 states require them to be postmarked on or before Election Day (even if they arrive later).[1]
Learn more about voting methods in this blog post.
What Has Changed This Year Due To COVID-19?
Mail-in voting options
Many states previously offered mail-in voting options for absentee ballots. This year, more states have added or extended those options to provide better convenience and safety options.
Increased early voting windows
Some states have increased the window during which voters can vote early in person. This is in effort to cut down on crowds on Election Day, while providing more opportunities for voters to make their voices heard.
Witness signatures
Over 30 states and the District of Columbia have enacted new changes that will make it easier for voters to vote early or via mail.[2] Some states normally require you to have a witness or notary signature on your absentee ballot in order for it to be counted, which can be tricky when businesses are closed or services are otherwise unavailable due to COVID-19. While Minnesota, South Carolina, and Rhode Island have eliminated this requirement for the upcoming election, North Carolina has reduced the requirement to one signature instead of two.[3]
Extended deadlines for mail-in ballots
While many states normally require mail-in absentee ballots to be delivered by Election Day, several have extended the deadline. A court of claims judge in Michigan ruled that ballots have to be accepted if they’re postmarked by November 2nd and are received within two weeks of Election Day. Similarly, on October 19th the Supreme Court ruled in Pennsylvania that election officials could count ballots received up to three days after Election Day.4 North Carolina, Wisconsin, Pennsylvania, Minnesota, Massachusetts, Kentucky, and New Jersey have also extended the deadline for receiving ballots.[4],6
Eliminating or relaxing the excuse requirement
Many states that require a valid excuse in order to vote by absentee ballot have either eliminated or relaxed the excuse requirement for the upcoming election. Massachusetts, South Carolina, and Delaware have eliminated the excuse requirement entirely. Alabama, Arkansas, Connecticut, Kentucky, Missouri, New Hampshire, New York, and West Virginia have relaxed their requirements by allowing anyone concerned about the coronavirus pandemic to vote via absentee ballot.5
What States Offer In-Person Early Voting?
For some voters, the best way to have their voice heard this election is to vote early in person. With this method, you may visit one of several polling locations near you during your state’s specified window to vote before Election Day. Early voting options vary by state, and not all states offer this option. Find your state below to see what’s available to you!
Alabama
Early voting is not available in Alabama. However, if you are unable to vote in person on Election Day, you can request an absentee ballot by mail or by visiting your local Board of Registrars.
Alaska
October 19, 2020 to November 2, 2020.
Arizona
October 7, 2020 to October 30, 2020.
Arkansas
October 19, 2020 to November 2, 2020.
California
You can vote early in California, although the timelines vary depending on your county. Contact your local election office to find out more.
Colorado
October 19, 2020 to November 2, 2020.
Connecticut
Early voting is not available in Connecticut.
Delaware
Early voting is not available in Delaware.
District of Columbia
October 27, 2020 to November 2, 2020.
Florida
October 24, 2020 to October 31, 2020.
Georgia
October 12, 2020 to October 30, 2020.
Hawaii
October 20, 2020 to November 2, 2020.
Idaho
October 19, 2020 to October 30, 2020.
Illinois
September 24, 2020 to November 2, 2020.
Indiana
You can vote early in Indiana through absentee ballots in-person, by mail, or traveling board from October 6, 2020 to November 2, 2020. Learn more here.
Iowa
You can vote early in Iowa through absentee in-person voting by visiting your county auditor’s office from October 5, 2020 to November 2, 2020.
Kansas
October 14, 2020 to November 2, 2020.
Kentucky
October 13, 2020 to November 2, 2020.
Louisiana
October 16, 2020 to October 27, 2020.
Maine
October 5, 2020 to October 29, 2020.
Maryland
October 26, 2020 to November 2, 2020.
Massachusetts
October 17, 2020 to October 30, 2020.
Michigan
September 24, 2020 to November 2, 2020.
Minnesota
September 18, 2020 to November 2, 2020.
Mississippi
Early voting is not available in Mississippi.
Missouri
Early voting is not available in Missouri.
Montana
October 5, 2020 to November 2, 2020.
Nebraska
October 5, 2020 to November 2, 2020.
Nevada
October 17, 2020 to October 30, 2020.
New Hampshire
Early voting is not available in New Hampshire.
New Jersey
Early voting dates in New Jersey vary based on your county. Learn more by checking with your county clerk’s office.
New Mexico
October 6, 2020 to October 31, 2020.
New York
October 24, 2020 to November 1, 2020.
North Carolina
October 15, 2020 to October 31, 2020.
North Dakota
October 19, 2020 to November 2, 2020.
Ohio
October 6, 2020 to November 2, 2020.
Oklahoma
October 29, 2020 to October 31, 2020.
Oregon
Early voting is not available in Oregon.
Pennsylvania
You can apply for a ballot and vote in-person same day until 5 PM on October 27, 2020.
Rhode Island
October 14, 2020 to November 2, 2020.
South Carolina
In South Carolina all voters are now qualified to vote by absentee. Ballots must have a witness signature and be returned to county officials by November 3, 2020.
South Dakota
September 18, 2020 to November 2, 2020.
Tennessee
October 14, 2020 to October 29, 2020.
Texas
October 13, 2020 to October 30, 2020.
Utah
October 20, 2020 to October 30, 2020.
Vermont
September 21, 2020 to November 2, 2020.
Virginia
September 18, 2020 to October 31, 2020.
Washington
October 16, 2020 to November 2, 2020.
West Virginia
October 21, 2020 to October 31, 2020.
Wisconsin
October 20, 2020 to November 1, 2020.
Wyoming
September 18, 2020 to November 2, 2020.
ACE Cash Express wants to provide the communities we serve with the knowledge they need to register to vote and cast their ballot. Our Your Voice, Your Vote initiative aims to bring awareness to the different ways you can vote, to ensure your voice is heard this Election Day.
Visit our site to learn how to register to vote in your state, and make sure you know the important voter registration deadlines and election days in your state.
