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How to cast your absentee ballot for the 2020 presidential election
With USPS struggling and concerns about in-person voting, make sure your vote is counted on Election Day.
Updated . What changed?

Election Day is coming up on Tuesday, November 3, 2020. But this year’s presidential election has presented two unique challenges: the US Postal Service is facing a funding crisis, and COVID-19 has made Americans skeptical about in-person voting.
The good news? Many states have opened up absentee and early voting to more residents, and voters can explore drop boxes and private delivery services to ensure their ballot arrives on time.
Can I vote by mail for the November 3rd election?
It’s likely. Thanks to the COVID-19 outbreak, most states allow residents to cast absentee or mail-in votes for any reason — including a fear of contracting or spreading the coronavirus.
In-person voting is the only option in just seven states, though some states are still finalizing their guidelines.
To put these numbers into context, The Washington Post reports that 77% of Americans — or 180 million — are eligible to vote by mail for the presidential election.
Watch our short video where we take you step-by-step through the process of getting your absentee ballot and casting your vote for this year’s presidential election.
How to vote by mail across the US
Rules and regulations around early and absentee voting vary among states. Some states specify the exact time your ballot must be postmarked by, while others simply offer a date.
To guarantee your vote gets to your election officials on time, aim to send your ballot well before the due date.
Deadlines are listed in local time.
State | Early voting | Absentee voting | Deadline to apply for an absentee ballot | Postmark deadline for completed ballot |
---|---|---|---|---|
Alabama | Not available | Only voters who can’t physically make it to a polling place | October 29 | November 2 at 5 p.m. |
Alaska | Available in Anchorage, Fairbanks, Juneau, Soldotna and Wasilla from October 19 to November 1 | Voters can cast an absentee ballot for any reason | October 26 for mail applications November 2 for online requests | November 3 |
Arizona | Available between October 7 and October 30 | Voters can cast an absentee ballot for any reason | October 30 | November 3 at 7 p.m. |
Arkansas | Available between October 19 and November 2 | Voters can request an absentee ballot if they’re concerned about contracting or transmitting COVID-19 | October 27 | November 3 at 7.30 p.m. |
California | Available between October 5 and November 2 | Voters can cast an absentee ballot for any reason | Mail-in ballots will be sent to all registered voters prior to the election | November 3 |
Colorado | Available between October 19 and November 2, but closed on Sundays and Saturday, October 24 | Voters can cast an absentee ballot for any reason | Mail-in ballots will be sent to all registered voters prior to the election | November 3 at 7 p.m. |
Connecticut | Not available | Voters can request an absentee ballot if they’re concerned about contracting or transmitting COVID-19 | November 2 | November 3 |
Delaware | Not available | Voters can request an absentee ballot if they’re concerned about contracting or transmitting COVID-19 | October 30 for mail applications November 2 for in-person requests | November 3 |
District of Columbia | Available between October 27 and November 2 | Voters can cast an absentee ballot for any reason | Mail-in ballots will be sent to all registered voters prior to the election | November 3 at 8 p.m. |
Florida | Available between October 24 and October 31 | Voters can cast an absentee ballot for any reason | October 24 | November 3 |
Georgia | Available between October 12 and October 30 | Voters can cast an absentee ballot for any reason | October 30 | November 2 |
Hawaii | Available between October 20 and November 2 | Voters can cast an absentee ballot for any reason | Mail-in ballots will be sent to all registered voters prior to the election | November 3 |
Idaho | Available between October 17 and October 31, but days and times vary by county | Voters can cast an absentee ballot for any reason | October 30 | November 3 |
Illinois | Available between October 19 and November 2 | Voters can cast an absentee ballot for any reason | Most registered voters will receive a mail-in ballot prior to the election. Otherwise: | November 3 |
Indiana | Available between October 6 and November 2 | Voters can request an absentee ballot if they’re concerned about contracting or transmitting COVID-19 | October 22 | November 3 |
Iowa | Available between October 5 and November 2 | Voters can cast an absentee ballot for any reason | October 30 | November 3 |
Kansas | Available between October 14 and November 2 | Voters can cast an absentee ballot for any reason | October 30 | November 2 |
Kentucky | Not available | To be determined — however, voters were allowed to cast absentee ballots for any reason during the primary election earlier this year | October 27 | November 3 at 6 p.m. |
Louisiana | Available between October 20 and October 27 | Voters can only request an absentee ballot if they’re elderly, a member of the clergy or temporarily living out of state | October 30 | November 2 at 4.30 p.m. |
Maine | Available between October 12 and October 29 | Voters can cast an absentee ballot for any reason | October 31 | November 3 at 8 p.m. |
Maryland | Available between October 22 and October 29 | Voters can cast an absentee ballot for any reason | October 20 | November 3 |
Massachusetts | Available between October 17 and October 30 | Voters can cast an absentee ballot for any reason | October 28 Mail-in ballot applications will be sent to all registered voters prior to the election | November 3 at 8 p.m. |
Michigan | Not available | Voters can cast an absentee ballot for any reason | October 30 | November 3 at 8 p.m. |
Minnesota | Available between September 18 and November 2, but days and times vary by county | Voters can cast an absentee ballot for any reason | November 3 | November 3 |
Mississippi | Not available | Voters can only cast an absentee ballot if they’re elderly, out-of-state, or have another extenuating circumstance — but COVID-19 concerns don’t count | No deadline yet | November 2 at 5 p.m for mail-in ballots October 29 for ballots returned in person |
Missouri | Not available | Voters can cast an absentee ballot if they’re at risk for contracting or transmitting COVID-19. This category includes those with diabetes, seniors ages 65+, those who live in long-term care facilities and immunocompromised people of all ages. | October 21 | November 3 at 7 p.m. |
Montana | Available between October 12 and November 2 | Voters can cast an absentee ballot for any reason | November 2 at 12 noon. | November 3 at 8 p.m. |
Nebraska | Available between October 4 and November 2 | Voters can cast an absentee ballot for any reason | October 23 | November 3 at 8 p.m. |
Nevada | Available between October 17 and October 30 | Voters can cast an absentee ballot for any reason | October 20 | November 3 at 7 p.m. |
New Hampshire | Not available | Voters can request an absentee ballot if they’re concerned about contracting or transmitting COVID-19 | November 2 | November 3 at 5 p.m. for mail-in ballots November 2 at 5 p.m. for ballots returned in person |
New Jersey | Not available | Voters can cast an absentee ballot for any reason | October 27 | November 2 at 3 p.m. |
New Mexico | Available between October 17 and October 31 | Voters can cast an absentee ballot for any reason | October 20 for mail applications October 29 for online applications | November 3 at 7 p.m. |
New York | Available between October 24 and November 1 | Voters can request an absentee ballot if they’re concerned about contracting or transmitting COVID-19 | October 27 for mail applications November 2 for in-person requests | November 2 |
North Carolina | Available between October 15 and October 31 | Voters can cast an absentee ballot for any reason | October 27 | November 3 |
North Dakota | Available between October 19 and November 2, though days and times vary by county | Voters can cast an absentee ballot for any reason | November 2 | November 2 |
Ohio | Available between October 6 and November 2 | Voters can cast an absentee ballot for any reason | October 31 | November 2 for mail-in ballots November 3 at 7.30 p.m. for ballots returned in person |
Oklahoma | Available between October 29 and October 31. | Voters can cast an absentee ballot for any reason | October 28 | November 3 |
Oregon | Not available | Oregon doesn’t offer in-person voting — all votes are cast by mail | Mail-in ballots will be sent to all registered voters prior to the election | November 3 |
Pennsylvania | Not available | Voters can cast an absentee ballot for any reason | October 27 | November 3 |
Rhode Island | Available between October 14 and November 2 | Voters can cast an absentee ballot for any reason | October 16 | November 3 at 8 p.m. |
South Carolina | Available to those with a valid absentee excuse from October 5 to November 2 | Voters can only cast an absentee ballot if they’re incapacitated, elderly or can’t physically get to a polling place due to work obligations | October 30 | November 3 at 7 p.m. |
South Dakota | Available between September 18 and November 2 | Voters can cast an absentee ballot for any reason | November 2 | November 3 at 7 p.m. |
Tennessee | Available between October 14 and October 29 | Voters can request an absentee ballot if they’re concerned about contracting or transmitting COVID-19 | October 27 | November 3 at 8 p.m. |
Texas | Available between October 20 and October 31 | Voters can only cast an absentee ballot if they’re out-of-state, over 65, imprisoned or have a disability — and the Texas Supreme Court recently ruled that “lack of immunity to COVID-19” doesn’t count as a disability | October 23 | November 3 at 7 p.m. |
Utah | Available between October 20 and October 30 | Voters can cast an absentee ballot for any reason | Mail-in ballots will be sent to all registered voters prior to the election | November 3 |
Vermont | Available between September 20 and November 2 | Voters can cast an absentee ballot for any reason | Mail-in ballots will be sent to all registered voters prior to the election | November 3 |
Virginia | Available for voters with an absentee excuse from September 18 to October 31, and all other voters from October 24 to October 31 | Voters can cast an absentee ballot for any reason | October 27 for mail-in applications October 31 for in-person requests | November 3 at 7 p.m |
Washington | Not available | Voters can cast an absentee ballot for any reason | Mail-in ballots will be sent to all registered voters prior to the election | November 3 |
West Virginia | Available between October 21 and 31 | Voters can cast an absentee ballot for any reason | October 28 | November 3 |
Wisconsin | Available between September 17 and November 1 | Voters can cast an absentee ballot for any reason | October 29 for mail-in applications October 30 for in-person requests | November 3 |
Wyoming | Available between September 18 and November 2 but days and times vary by county | Voters can cast an absentee ballot for any reason | November 2 | November 3 |
Where to send your mail-in ballot
Once you’ve completed your absentee ballot, send it to the address printed on the return envelope.
Typically, this is your local election office.
Military and overseas voters can send their ballot via a US Post Office, Military Postal Service Agency or US Diplomatic Pouch Mail for free.
In most states, domestic voters have to pay the $0.55 postage. However, 17 states offer prepaid postage for ballots returned via USPS, according to the nonpartisan National Conference of State Legislatures (NCSL):
- Arizona
- California
- Delaware
- Hawaii
- Idaho
- Iowa
- Maryland
- Minnesota
- Missouri
- Nevada
- New Mexico
- Oregon
- Rhode Island
- Virginia
- Washington
- West Virginia
- Wisconsin
New Jersey leaves it up to county clerks to decide whether they want to provide a postage-paid envelope, according to NCSL.
Are you registered to vote?
If you haven’t yet registered to vote, head to Vote.gov to learn how in your state.
Generally, you can take one of three paths:
- Register online. This option is available in 39 states and Washington, DC, and for overseas and military voters.
- Register in person. Go to your local election office or public facilities like the DMV, WIC or US armed forces recruitment centers.
- Register by mail. Download, complete and send the National Mail Voter Registration Form by mail to the location listed for your state.
If the deadline to register to vote by mail or online has passed, 20 states allow you to register to vote in person up until November 3rd. And North Carolina residents have up to October 31st to register to vote in person if they’re planning to vote early.
States with in-person voter registration deadlines through Nov. 3
- California
- Colorado
- Connecticut
- Washington, DC
- Hawaii
- Idaho
- Illinois
- Iowa
- Maine
- Maryland
- Michigan
- Minnesota
- Montana
- Nevada
- New Hampshire
- Utah
- Vermont
- Washington
- Wisconsin
- Wyoming
Alternatives to USPS for mailing your ballot
Election ballots are traditionally handled by the USPS. But due to a lack of funding, the USPS has warned 46 states and DC that it may not be able to deliver ballots on time, according to CNN.
The guidance about using private mail companies is murky at this point. Based on our conversations with major carriers, voters can use some services to send mail-in and absentee ballots — but at their own expense.
This is similar to the process of voting abroad, where voters can use professional courier services if “time is short or local mail unreliable,” according to the US Department of State.
However, Reuters reports private carriers can only accept ballots sent the day before and day of Election Day, as these “deliveries are deemed ‘extremely urgent’ by statute.”
Where private mail carriers stand on election ballots
We’ll update this table as clearer guidelines and regulations are released.
Mail carrier | Accepts US absentee ballots | What to know |
---|---|---|
FedEx | Yes. “FedEx does accept individual ballots for shipment, and we advise that customers planning to return their ballots via FedEx should closely review their state’s guidelines on absentee voting and deadlines for ballots or related election documents,” a spokesperson told Finder. | FedEx doesn’t deliver to PO boxes. If your return envelope lists a PO box address, consider taking your ballot to a drop box instead. |
UPS | No, according to a UPS statement given to Reuters. | |
USA Couriers | Yes. USA Couriers can deliver ballots in all 50 states. There’s a pickup deadline of 2 p.m. for same- and next-day delivery, a spokesperson told Finder. | |
DHL | TBD | |
LaserShip | TBD | |
TFI | TBD | TFI has no comment at this time, according to a spokesperson. |
Using a drop box to submit your ballot
Another option is taking your ballot to a designated drop box. At the moment, 11 states have drop boxes set up in some or all counties, according to NCSL:
- Arizona
- California
- Colorado
- Hawaii
- Kansas
- Montana
- Nebraska
- New Mexico
- Oregon
- Utah
- Washington
Drop boxes are secure containers that accept sealed envelopes, making them a good option for those who want to avoid the postal service and polling places completely. Some boxes are available and monitored by surveillance cameras 24/7, while others are open during specified business hours, when they can be supervised by election officials.
Typically, drop boxes are placed in accessible and convenient spots, such as city office buildings, community centers, college campuses and local libraries.
Will more drop boxes become available?
Maybe. The US Election Assistance Commission (EAC) recommends counties install one drop box for every 15,000 to 20,000 voters.
The EAC also instructs officials to make the locations of these drop boxes publicly known at least 80 days before an election — which was Saturday, August 15.
Bottom line
In light of the COVID-19 pandemic, many states have opened up absentee ballots to all — or most — voters. And while the only way to receive an absentee or mail-in ballot is through USPS, there are other ways to submit your ballot outside of the postal service.
If you’re worried about USPS delays or going to a polling place, you can explore drop boxes or using a private mail carrier — though you’ll need to cover the cost of postage.
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