Understanding Mail-In and Absentee Voting

Voting is an essential civil right. However, each state runs its elections a little differently. Some require in-person voting, while others allow mail-in ballots or absentee voting. To make your vote count, you must know how voting works where you live. 

This provides an overview of understanding mail-in and absentee voting. For more information about the voting process where you live, talk to a local voting civil rights attorney. 

What Is the Difference Between Mail-In and Absentee Voting?

Traditionally, voting required people to show up to the polling place in person to fill out their ballot. However, other options allow people to vote ahead of time and not wait in line. This includes voting by mail and absentee voting. 

Absentee voting is a way to cast your ballot by mail or drop box. With absentee voting, you don’t have to show up in person or wait in line to vote. This can increase voter participation by allowing early voting when they don’t have the time or ability to vote in person. Voters may have to go to work, have family obligations, or cannot show up because of illness or medical reasons. 

Voting by mail is a way to exercise your civil voting rights by mailing your ballot before Election Day. There is a voting deadline, but the election period gives people more time to send in their ballots. Only some states have vote-by-mail programs. However, other states are considering expanding mail-in voting systems.

Which States Allow Mail-In Voting?

In vote-by-mail states, registered voters get their ballot in the mail. Voters make their voting selections and send in the return envelope. Voters can return the ballot through the postal service or drop it off at the ballot drop box. As of January 2024, eight states are primarily vote-by-mail, including: 

• California
• Colorado
• Hawaii
• Nevada
• Oregon
• Utah
• Vermont
• Washington
• Washington, D.C. 

Other states allow limited voting by mail. Two states—Nebraska and North Dakota—allow voters in some counties to vote by mail, and other states allow voting by mail in smaller elections or jurisdictions. 

How Can You Get an Absentee Ballot?

In many states, voters can elect absentee voting. To join an absentee voting list, voters need to sign up. Absentee voters receive their ballot envelope in the mail and can send it in or drop it off in person on Election Day. Some states allow anyone to request an absentee ballot, while others limit absentee ballot applications to qualifying individuals.

In some states, the absentee voting list only requires signing up once, while other state laws require annual absentee requests. Some states limit excuse absentee voting to people with a permanent disability, while eligibility includes senior voters in other states. 

Absentee voting can depend on your state election office and local county board requirements. Check with your local election office to understand your voting options and requirements. 

Can You Vote Outside the Country?

As a U.S. citizen, you can vote absentee while overseas. This includes people living in another country or military service members on active duty. Overseas voters can request their ballot through the Federal Voting Assistance Program (FVAP). However, voters must still meet their state and local election official requirements. 

Can You Return an Absentee Ballot on Election Day?

Different states have different absentee ballot voting deadlines. Most states allow you to drop off your absentee ballot on Election Day, but some require drop-offs earlier than that.

For example, in Oklahoma, officials must receive your mail-in absentee ballot by 7 p.m. on Election Day. If you deliver your absentee ballot, it must be accepted the day before the election. 

How Can an Attorney Help With Voting Rights Violations?

State election requirements can be confusing. If you move to another state, you must check the local election requirements to ensure you register quickly and can have your vote counted. Some voters have their ballots rejected because of simple errors. 

States reject some ballots for errors or because voters forgot to sign their voting envelope. Other voters drop their absentee ballots off just after the deadline and are not counted. Many voters have their ballots rejected because they are unaware of voter registration or postmark deadlines.  If you have questions about your voting rights, talk to a local civil rights attorney to ensure your voice is counted.