Our State-by-State Voting Guide Explains How to Request an Absentee Ballot for 2020
Studies show that one of the biggest barriers to voting is not understanding the logistics of it: how to register, the deadlines for registering, how to request an absentee ballot (or even know if you qualify for one) and when and where to go cast a ballot. This year is especially complicated, since the COVID-19 pandemic has forced changes in absentee voting procedures and the availability of in-person registration and voting location. It's a lot of information to keep track of, so we pulled it all together into one, handy state-by-state guide to all the nitty-gritty details for the 2020 general election.
Some important things to note up front: Even if you believe you're registered, it's important to verify your voter registration status and confirm your registration information to make sure it's correct. If you've recently moved or changed your name, you need to update your voter registration. If you can, register online — if you do it by mail, will take longer. If you plan on registering or voting by mail, request an application now and mail everything back as soon as you receive it to avoid being disqualified due to delays with the United States Postal Service. And if you plan on voting in person, double-check your polling place before you go, since these often change up to the last minute.
Find Out How to Vote in Your State:
AL | AK | AZ | AR | CA | CO | CT | DE | FL | GA | HI | ID | IL | IN | IA | KS | KY | LA | ME | MD | MA | MI | MN | MS | MO | MT | NE | NV | NH | NJ | NM | NY | NC | ND | OH | OK | OR | PA | RI | SC | SD | TN | TX | UT | VT | VA | WA | DC | WV | WI | WY
How to Vote in Alabama
For Information: Visit the Alabama Votes elections page or call (800) 274-8683.
Registration: Voters can register online, download and print a registration form, request a registration form be mailed to a home address online, all at this link. Requests for a voter registration form can be also be made over the phone at Alabama's voter hotline (1-800-274-8683).
Check a Registration Status Online: alabamavotes.gov
Registration Deadline for 2020 Election: October 19, 2020
Early and Absentee Voting: There is no early voting, but there is absentee voting, and an absentee ballot application can be downloaded online. An absentee ballot returned by mail must be postmarked no later than the day prior to the election and received by the absentee election manager no later than noon on Election Day.
Polling Place: Polling place lookup can be found here.
How to Vote in Alaska
For Information: Visit the Alaska Division of Elections website or call (907) 465-4611.
Registration: Voters can register to vote online, or download a form to register by mail, fax or email attachment. Usually, residents can register in-person at an elections office, but the offices are closed at the moment due to COVID-19. Check a registration status online.
Check a Registration Status Online: myvoterinformation.alaska.gov
Registration Deadline for 2020 Election: October 4, 2020
Early and Absentee Voting: Early voting begins October 19, 2020 or residents can request an absentee ballot online or by mail. Voters can also have a ballot sent by fax or online delivery. Application period begins 15 days before the election through 5 pm on November 2.
Polling Place: Polling place lookup can be found here.
How to Vote in Arizona
For Information: Find voter information at the Arizona Elections website or by calling 1-877-THE-VOTE or (602) 542-8683.
Registration: Voters can register to vote online or download a form to register by mail.
Check a Registration Status Online: azsos.gov
Registration Deadline for 2020 Election: October 5, 2020
Early and Absentee Voting: Voters can request to be part of the Permanent Early Voting when they register; residents can also request an absentee ballot online. Completed ballots are due by 7 pm on Election Day.
Polling Place: Polling place lookup can be found here.
How to Vote in Arkansas
For Information: Visit the Arkansas Elections Division website or call (501) 682-5070 or 1-800-482-1127.
Registration: Voters can find voter registration applications at county clerk offices, the DMV, and public libraries if they're open. It's also possible to download and print a form online or request that one be mailed to a home address.
Check a Registration Status Online: voterview.ar-nova.org
Registration Deadline for 2020 Election: October 5, 2020
Early and Absentee Voting: Residents can download an application for an absentee ballot online or get one through the County Clerk's office. Completed ballots must be received by 7:30 pm on Election Day.
Polling Place: Polling place lookup can be found here.
How to Vote in California
For Information: Visit the California Secretary of State Election page at vote.ca.gov or call the state's State's toll-free voter hotline at (800) 345-8683
Registration: Voters can register online or with a County Clerk's office.
Check a Registration Status Online: voterstatus.sos.ca.gov
Registration Deadline for 2020 Election: October 19, 2020 is the last day for online voter registration. After October 19, Californians will have to go in-person to any voting location or county elections office to complete same-day voter registration.
Early and Absentee Voting: All active, registered voters will get a vote-by-mail ballot automatically. Ballots must be postmarked on or before Election Day, and county elections officials will be able to accept them for 17 days following Election Day. Completed vote-by-mail ballots can also be dropped off at any polling place, drop-box, or county elections office. Voters can sign up at WheresMyBallot.sos.ca.gov to get automatic text message, email, and voice call notifications about their ballots, from when the ballot is mailed to when it's counted. Every county will have in-person early voting opportunities at the county elections office beginning on October 5.
Polling Place: Polling place lookup can be found here.
How to Vote in Colorado
For Information: Visit the Colorado Secretary of State's page or call (303) 894-2200.
Registration: Applications for registration can be completed online, or dowloaded and mailed to a County Clerk's office. For the moment, all in-person operations are suspended.
Check a Registration Status Online: GoVoteColorado.gov
Registration Deadline for 2020 Election: November 3, at 7 pm (when polls close). To receive a ballot in the mail, voters must be registered by October 26. After that date, they will need to go to a Voter Service and Polling Center (VSPC) to register in person.
Early and Absentee Voting: All active voters will be mailed a ballot three weeks before Election Day. In-person, early voting starts on October 19.
Polling Place: Polling place lookup can be found here.
How to Vote in Connecticut
For Information: Visit the Connecticut Secretary of State webpage at myvote.ct.gov or call (800) 540-3764.
Registration: Voters can register to vote online at online or by mail.
Check a Registration Status Online: myvote.ct.gov/lookup
Registration Deadline for 2020 Election: Seven days before the election (October 27, 2020), though Connecticut also has same-day voter registration.
Early and Absentee Voting: Connecticut will be sending out absentee ballot applications to all eligible voters for the 2020 election. (Voters can also request an absentee ballot.) Towns will begin to mail the ballots starting 31 days before the election, and they must be received by the time the polls close on Election Day.
Polling Place: Polling place lookup can be found here.
How to Vote in Delaware
For Information: Visit the Department of Elections or call (302) 577-3464 for New Castle County residents, (302) 739-4498 for Kent County residents, or (302) 856-5367 for Sussex County residents.
Registration: Voters can register online, by mail, at certain county offices, or in person at their county elections office.
Check a Registration Status Online: ivote.de.gov
Registration Deadline for 2020 Election: October 10, 2020
Early and Absentee Voting: Voters can download an application for an absentee ballot or a vote-by-mail ballot online and submit it by email, fax, or mail. Ballots must be returned to the county elections office that issued the ballot by the close of the polls (8 pm) on November 3.
Polling Place: Polling place lookup can be found here.
How to Vote in Florida
For Information: Visit the Florida Division of Elections website or call (866) 308-6739.
Registration: Voters can register online, by mail or when using services at a Florida driver's license office, a tax collector's office, or a voter registration agency.
Check a Registration Status Online: registertovoteflorida.gov
Registration Deadline for 2020 Election: October 5, 2020
Early and Absentee Voting: Early Voting Sites are designated no later than 30 days prior to an election. The early voting period must start at least on the 10th day before the election and end on the 3rd day before the election. County Supervisors of Elections have the option to offer more early voting days. Click here for more information about early voting. Voters can request a vote-by-mail ballot online, by mail, by fax, or by email to each county Supervisors of Elections' office. Voters or their designees can pick up a vote-by-mail ballot up to and including Election Day from the Supervisor of Elections (more info here). Each vote-by-mail ballot must be received by the Supervisor of Elections no later than 7 pm on Election Day.
Polling Place: Polling place lookup can be found here.
How to Vote in Georgia
For Information: Visit the Georgia Secretary of State's website, or call (844) 753-7825.
Registration: Voters can register online or by mail.
Check a Registration Status Online: registertovote.sos.ga.gov
Registration Deadline for 2020 Election: October 5, 2020
Early and Absentee Voting: Georgia allows both early voting and absentee voting. Voters can request a mail-in absentee ballot by mail starting 180 days before an election, and ballots must be in by the close of the polls on Election Day.
Polling Place: Polling place lookup can be found here.
How to Vote in Hawaii
For Information: Visit Hawaii's Office of Elections website or call (808) 453-8683 or 1-800-442-8683.
Registration: Voters can register to vote online or by mail.
Check a Registration Status Online: olvr.hawaii.gov
Registration Deadline for 2020 Election: October 5, 2020
Early and Absentee Voting: All registered voters will be automatically sent a ballot to their mailing address in Hawaii associated with their voter registration approximately 18 days prior to the election. Ballots can be returned by mail or in-person at a designated place of deposit, and they must be received by 7 pm on Election Day.
Polling Place: Polling place lookup can be found here.
How to Vote in Idaho
For Information: Visit IdahoVotes.gov or call (208) 334-2852.
Registration: Voters can register to vote online, by mail or in person at a county elections office.
Check a Registration Status Online: elections.sos.idaho.gov
Registration Deadline for 2020 Election: October 9, 2020.
Early and Absentee Voting: Voters can submit an application for an absentee ballot by mail to a local county clerk's office. Completed ballots must be received by the county clerk’s office by 8 pm on Election Day.
Polling Place: Polling place lookup can be found here.
How to Vote in Illinois
For Information: Visit the Illinois State Board of Elections website or call (312) 814-6440 or (217) 782-4141.
Registration: Voters can register to vote online, by mail or at a county clerk's office and other locations designated by the election authority (including some schools and libraries).
Check a Registration Status Online: https://ova.elections.il.gov
Registration Deadline for 2020 Election: The last day for online registration is October 18. Voters can still register in person up to and on Election Day.
Early and Absentee Voting: Requests for an absentee ballot or vote-by-mail ballot must be sent in by mail to a county clerk's office. Completed ballots must be postmarked no later than Election Day, and must be received within 14 days of the election.
Polling Place: Polling place lookup can be found here.
How to Vote in Indiana
For Information: Visit the Indiana Division of Elections website, call (800) 622-4941.
Registration: Voters can register to vote online, by mail, or in person at a county clerk's office.
Check a Registration Status Online: indianavoters.in.gov
Registration Deadline for 2020 Election: October 5, 2020
Early and Absentee Voting: Vote-by-mail applications can be found online, but voters have to meet one of 11 criteria in order to be eligible to vote by mail. Completed ballots must be returned by noon on November 3. There's also the option of "absentee in-person voting," which takes place from October 6 to noon on November 2; voters must apply with the county clerk's office to vote absentee in person.
Polling Place: Polling place lookup can be found here.
How to Vote in Iowa
For Information: Visit the Iowa Secretary of State's website or call (888) 767-8683.
Registration: Voter registration can be done online or by mail. See its video tutorial for more information.
Check a Registration Status Online: sos.iowa.gov/elections
Registration Deadline for 2020 Election: October 24, 2020 is the deadline for pre-registration. Iowans can also register to vote at the polls on Election Day.
Early and Absentee Voting: Applications to vote by mail can be downloaded online and returned by mail to a county auditor. Absentee ballots received in the county auditor's office by the time the polls close on Election Day are eligible for counting. Absentee ballots received after the polls close on Election Day must be postmarked by the Monday before Election Day or earlier and received in the county auditor's office no later than noon on the Monday following the election. Voters also have the option of voting absentee in-person at a county auditor's office.
Polling Place: Polling place lookup can be found here.
How to Vote in Kansas
For Information: Visit the Kansas Secretary of State's website or call (800) 262-8683.
Registration: Registration can be done online or by mail.
Check a Registration Status Online: myvoteinfo.voteks.org/voterview/
Registration Deadline for 2020 Election: October 13, 2020
Early and Absentee Voting: Voters can request an advance by-mail ballot; advance mail ballots must be postmarked on or before Election Day and received in the county election office by 5 pm on Friday, November 6.
Polling Place: Polling place lookup can be found here.
How to Vote in Kentucky
For Information: Visit the Kentucky Board of Elections website or call (502) 573-7100 or 1-800-246-1399.
Registration: Voters can register online, or download a voter registration form to submit by mail or in-person.
Check a Registration Status Online: vrsws.sos.ky.gov/VIC/
Registration Deadline for 2020 Election: October 5, 2020
Early and Absentee Voting: Early voting is not available in Kentucky; however, eligible voters can request an absentee ballot online or by contacting their county clerk office. All mail-in absentee ballots need to be postmarked by November 3.
Polling Place: Polling place lookup can be found here.
How to Vote in Louisiana
For Information: Visit the Louisiana Secretary of State’s Election page or call (225) 922-0900 or 1-800-883-2805.
Registration: Voters can register online; the completed application can either be submitted electronically (with identification with the Office of Motor Vehicles), or by printing and mailing the application. It’s also possible to register by mail by downloading an application form. Voters can also register in person at any Registrar of Voters Office.
Check a Registration Status Online: voterportal.sos.la.gov/Home/VoterLogin
Registration Deadline for 2020 Election: October 5, 2020 (if registering in person or by mail); October 13 (if registering online)
Early and Absentee Voting: Early voting runs from October 20 to 27 (excluding Sunday, October 25) from 8:30 am to 6 pm. Eligible voters can request an absentee ballot online, or by printing and delivering an application form to the Registrar of Voters Office through mail, fax, or hand-delivery. Voters can request absentee ballots as early as they want, but the ballots must be received by November 2 at 4:30 pm.
Polling Place: Polling place lookup can be found here.
How to Vote in Maine
For Information: Visit the Maine Secretary of State Elections page or call (207) 624-7650.
Registration: Voters can download a voter registration form to register by mail, or fill out the voter registration card in-person at a local town office or city hall, through any Motor Vehicle branch office, in most state and federal social service agencies, or at a voter registration drive.
Check a Registration Status Online: www1.maine.gov
Registration Deadline for 2020 Election: October 13, 2020 (for registering to vote by mail or through a voter registration drive). There is no cut-off date for registering to vote in person at a town office or city hall.
Early and Absentee Voting: Voters can request an absentee ballot online or by contacting the municipal clerk in the town or city where they are registered to vote. (More information about absentee voting can be found here.) Maine notes the Postal Service has advised that if voters plan to receive an absentee ballot by mail, they should request it no later than 15 days prior to the election; if voters want to return a ballot by mail, they should send it no later than seven days prior to the election. Completed ballots must be received by 8 pm on Election Day.
Polling Place: Polling place lookup can be found here.
How to Vote in Maryland
For Information: Visit the Maryland State Board of Elections website or call (410) 269-2840.
Registration: Voters can register online, or download a voter registration form to register by mail.
Check a Registration Status Online: voterservices.elections.maryland.gov/VoterSearch
Registration Deadline for 2020 Election: October 13, 2020
Early and Absentee Voting: Early voting takes place from October 22 through 29. All Maryland voters are eligible to vote by mail (no excuse required). Residents can request an absentee ballot online (with a Maryland’s driver’s license or MVA-issued ID card), or by completing an application form and sending it in by mail, fax, or email. Completed ballots can be deposited in designated drop-off boxes, or they must be postmarked on or before November 3, and received by 10 am on November 13.
Polling Place: Polling place lookup can be found here.
How to Vote in Massachusetts
For Information: Visit the Massachusetts Secretary of the Commonwealth Elections page, or call (617) 727-2828 or 1-800-462-VOTE.
Registration: Voters can register online (with a Massachusetts driver's license or state ID card), or download a voter registration form to register by mail. In-person registration is usually available at any local election office and other designated locations, but may be unavailable at the moment due to COVID-19.
Check a Registration Status Online: www.sec.state.ma.us
Registration Deadline for 2020 Election: October 24, 2020
Early and Absentee Voting: Early voting for the November 2020 election will be held October 17 to October 30. Voters can get more information here on how to vote early. Absentee ballots require an excuse in Massachusetts, but this year voters can cast no-excuse early vote-by-mail ballots if they are voting by mail. November ballots can be received up until November 6 if they are postmarked by Election Day. Voters can find more information on voting by mail on the Massachusetts Secretary of the Commonwealth's Early Voting FAQ page.
Polling Place: Polling place lookup can be found here.
How to Vote in Michigan
For Information: Visit the michigan.gov/vote.
Registration: Voters can register online, or download a voter registration form to submit by mail or in-person at their clerk's office. Some clerk’s offices have opened satellite offices for voter registration. Michigan is also a automatic registration state, meaning that any time voters conduct a registration-related transaction through a Secretary of State branch office, they're either automatically registered to vote or a registration is updated unless voters specifically decline it.
Check a Registration Status Online: michigan.gov/vote
Registration Deadline for 2020 Election: October 19, 2020 for online registration. Michigan is a same-day registration state, meaning that for the 14 days up to and including Election Day, eligible voters can still register in-person at the clerk’s office and, if they so choose, cast their ballot there then as well.
Early and Absentee Voting: Early voting is not available in Michigan except through in-person absentee voting, which begins 40 days before Election Day. Every registered voter received an absent voter application earlier this year, and those who did not check the box requesting a ballot for August and November, or who did not join the permanent absent voter list, can apply for an absentee ballot online or by filling out an application form to be mailed or emailed to their local clerk. Voters can request a ballot in person at any time until 4 pm the day before Election Day. Completed ballots must be received by 8 pm on Election Day.
Polling Place: Polling place lookup can be found here.
How to Vote in Minnesota
For Information: Visit the Minnesota Secretary of State Elections page, or call (651) 215-1440 or 1-877-600-VOTE.
Registration: Voters can register online (with a Minnesota driver's license or state ID card), or download a voter registration form to register by mail.
Check a Registration Status Online: mnvotes.sos.state.mn.us
Registration Deadline for 2020 Election: October 13, 2020
Early and Absentee Voting: Early voting is not available in Minnesota except through in-person absentee voting, which starts 46 days before Election Day. All Minnesota voters are eligible to vote by mail as an absentee (no excuse required). Voters can request an absentee ballot online or by completing an application form to be mailed, faxed, or emailed to a county election office. Completed ballots must be postmarked on or before Election Day if mailing, or received by 3 pm on Election Day if delivered in person.
Polling Place: Polling place lookup can be found here.
How to Vote in Mississippi
For Information: Visit the Mississippi Secretary of State Elections page or call 1-800-829-6786.
Registration: Voters can register by completing a voter registration Form and mailing it to the Circuit Clerk’s Office. Applications are also available at every circuit clerk’s office, municipal clerk’s office, public library, and other participating government offices. In-person registration is also available at the circuit clerk’s office, municipal clerk’s office, Department of Public Safety, and any state or federal agency offering government services, such as the Department of Human Services.
Check a Registration Status Online: msegov.com/sos
Registration Deadline for 2020 Election: October 5, 2020
Early and Absentee Voting: Early voting is not available in Mississippi. Eligible voters can request an absentee ballot by contacting their circuit clerk. Voters must cast their in-person absentee ballot at the circuit clerk’s office by 5 pm on October 31 and, if the voter is casting their ballot by mail-in absentee, completed ballots can be received up to five business days from the date of the election but must be postmarked on or before Election Day.
Polling Place: Polling place lookup can be found here.
How to Vote in Missouri
For Information: Visit the Missouri Secretary of State Elections page, or call 1-800-669-8683.
Registration: Voters can register online, or download a voter registration form to register by mail. They can also request the application to be mailed to a home address. In-person registration is also available at a county clerk's office, or at a Department of Motor Vehicles office, along with other state agencies providing service to the public.
Check a Registration Status Online: s1.sos.mo.gov
Registration Deadline for 2020 Election: October 7, 2020
Early and Absentee Voting: Early voting is not available in Missouri; only eligible voters can request an absentee ballot by completing a request form and delivering it to their local election authority by email, mail, fax, or in person. Governor Mike Parson recently signed a bill, however, that expands absentee requirements due to COVID-19 and creates a mail-in ballot option for all voters for 2020. The bill allows all registered Missouri voters to request a mail-in ballot from their local election authority, but requires the ballot to be notarized. If a voter has COVID-19 or falls within an “at-risk” category, they’re eligible for an absentee ballot that does not require notarization. Requests for mail-in ballots can be made by completing a mail-in request form to be delivered to the appropriate local election authority by mail or in person. Absentee ballots can be requested in person up until 5 pm the day before Election Day. Completed ballots must be received by 7 pm on Election Day. Detailed information on absentee and mail-in voting can be found here or on GoVoteMissouri.com.
Polling Place: Polling place lookup can be found here.
How to Vote in Montana
For Information: Visit the Secretary of State Elections page, or call (406) 444-9608 or 1-888-884-VOTE.
Registration: Voters can download a voter registration form to register by mail, or register in person at a county election office.
Check a Registration Status Online: app.mt.gov/voterinfo
Registration Deadline for 2020 Election: October 5, 2020 (late registration opens October 6 and is available until close of polls on Election Day).
Early and Absentee Voting: Early voting is not available in Montana except through in-person absentee voting, which begins 30 days before Election Day. All Montana voters are eligible to vote by mail as an absentee (no excuse required). Voters can request an absentee ballot by completing an application form to be mailed, faxed, or dropped off in-person at their county election office. Completed ballots must be received by 8 pm on Election Day.
Polling Place: Polling place lookup can be found here.
How to Vote in Nebraska
For Information: Visit the Nebraska Secretary of State elections page or call (402) 471-2555.
Registration: Voters can register online, or download a voter registration form to register by mail. In-person registration is also available through the state Department of Motor Vehicles, the state Department of Health and Human Services, and the State Department of Education.
Check a Registration Status Online: votercheck.necvr.ne.gov
Registration Deadline for 2020 Election: October 16, 2020 (October 23 if registering in person)
Early and Absentee Voting: Nebraska refers to its absentee voting option as early voting, which begins October 5. All Nebraska voters are eligible to vote early as an absentee (no excuse required). Voters can request an early ballot by completing an application form to be mailed, faxed, or emailed to their county election office. Completed ballots must be received by 8 pm on Election Day. The last day to vote early in-person in the county election office is the day before Election Day.
Polling Place: Polling place lookup can be found here.
How to Vote in Nevada
For Information: Visit the Nevada Secretary of State Elections webpage, www.nvsos.gov, or call (775) 684-5705.
Registration: Voters can register online (with a Nevada driver's license or DMV-issued ID card), or download a voter registration form to register by mail. In-person registration is also available at any Nevada Department of Motor Vehicles office, at local county clerk or registrar of voters’ offices, at various social service agencies, and on college campuses. Find more information at registertovotenv.gov.
Check a Registration Status Online: nvsos.gov/votersearch
Registration Deadline for 2020 Election: October 6, 2020 (if registering by mail or in-person), October 29 (if registering online)
Early and Absentee Voting: Early voting takes place in Nevada from October 17 to 30. All Nevada voters are eligible to vote as an absentee (no excuse required). Voters can request an absentee ballot by completing an application form to be mailed or delivered to their county clerk or registrar of voters. Completed ballots must be postmarked by Election Day if mailed, and must be received by 7 pm on Election Day if returned in person.
Polling Place: Polling place lookup can be found here.
How to Vote in New Hampshire
For Information: Visit the New Hampshire Secretary of State Elections page or call (603) 271-3242.
Registration: Voters can register by contacting their town or city clerk’s office and asking for a voter registration form (not available online). In-person registration is also available at these locations, and at polling places on Election Day.
Check a Registration Status Online: sos.nh.gov
Registration Deadline for 2020 Election: Election Day, November 3. Before Election Day, the last day to register is the last meeting of the Supervisors of the Checklist, which takes place between 6 to 13 days prior to the election. Check with the clerk’s office for the exact date, which varies by town or city.
Early and Absentee Voting: Early voting and no-excuse absentee voting is not typically available in New Hampshire, but due to COVID-19, all voters can vote by mail in this year’s elections by selecting the “disability” reason on the absentee ballot application. Voters can request an absentee ballot by completing an application form to be mailed, faxed, or hand-delivered to their local town or city clerk’s office. There is no specific deadline for absentee ballot requests, but it’s recommended to be made as early as possible. Completed ballots are due by 5 pm on Election Day.
Polling Place: Polling place lookup can be found here.
How to Vote in New Jersey
For Information:Visit the New Jersey Division of Elections webpage, or call (609) 292-3760 or 1-877-NJ-VOTER.
Registration: Voters can register by downloading a voter registration form for their county, to be mailed or delivered to their local County Commissioner of Registration or Superintendent of Elections.
Check a Registration Status Online: voter.svrs.nj.gov
Registration Deadline for 2020 Election: October 13, 2020
Early and Absentee Voting: Early voting is not available in New Jersey except through in-person absentee voting, which begins 45 days before Election Day. All New Jersey voters are eligible to vote by mail as an absentee (no excuse required). Voters can request an absentee ballot by completing an application form to be mailed or delivered to their county clerk. Completed ballots must be postmarked by Election Day if mailed, and received by 8 pm on Election Day if submitted in person.
Polling Place: Polling place lookup can be found here.
How to Vote in New Mexico
For Information: Visit the New Mexico Secretary of State Elections webpage, or call (505) 827-3600 (Option 2) or 1-800-477-3632.
Registration: Voters can register online (with a New Mexico driver's license or MVD-issued state identification card), or download a voter registration form to register by mail.
Check a Registration Status Online: voterportal.servis.sos.state.nm.us
Registration Deadline for 2020 Election: October 6, 2020. (In-person registration is available at the county clerk’s office until the Saturday before Election Day.)
Early and Absentee Voting: Early voting begins 28 days before Election Day and ends the Saturday before Election Day. Additionally, all voters in New Mexico are eligible to vote by mail as an absentee (no excuse required). Voters can request an absentee ballot online; by completing an application form to be mailed or hand-delivered to their county clerk office; or by contacting their county clerk by phone, mail, email, or in person. Completed ballots must be received by 7 pm on Election Day.
Polling Place: Polling place lookup can be found here.
How to Vote in New York
For Information: Visit the New York Board of Elections page, or call (518) 474-6220 or 1-800-FOR-VOTE.
Registration: Voters can register online through the DMV Electronic Voter Registration Application with a New York State DMV-issued identification. Otherwise, they can download a voter registration form to register by mail, or request the form to be sent to them by mail. In-person registration is also available at the county board of elections or at any New York State Agency-Based voter registration center.
Check a Registration Status Online: voterlookup.elections.ny.gov
Registration Deadline for 2020 Election: October 9, 2020 (must be received by October 14 if mailing)
Early and Absentee Voting: Early voting takes place from October 24 to November 1. Additionally, all registered voters can request an absentee ballot by completing an application form to be mailed, emailed, or faxed to their county board of elections, or requesting one in-person at their county board. The absentee ballot must be postmarked no later than November 3 and arrive by November 10 to be counted. All ballots without a postmark received by November 4 will also be counted.
Polling Place: Polling place lookup can be found here.
How to Vote in North Carolina
For Information: Visit the North Carolina State Board of Elections webpage or call (919) 814-0700.
Registration: Voters can register online through the DMV Voter Registration Application if they have a North Carolina DMV-issued identification. Otherwise, they can download a voter registration form to register by mail.
Check a Registration Status Online: vt.ncsbe.gov
Registration Deadline for 2020 Election: October 9, 2020
Early and Absentee Voting: Early voting begins 19 days before Election Day. Additionally, all North Carolina voters are eligible to vote by mail as an absentee (no excuse required). Voters can request an absentee ballot by completing an application form to be mailed, emailed, faxed, or hand-delivered to their county board of elections. Completed ballots must be postmarked on or before Election Day, and received by mail no later than 5 pm on the third day after Election Day.
Polling Place: Polling place lookup can be found here.
How to Vote in North Dakota
For Information: Visit The North Dakota Secretary of State's webpage or call (701) 328-4146.
Registration: North Dakota does not have voter registration. Voters simply need to bring valid proof of ID and residency to the polls in order to vote.
Early and Absentee Voting: Absentee ballots can be requested online (with a valid ID) or by mail. Absentee ballots must be postmarked the day before the election and received no later than six days after Election Day.
Polling Place: Polling place lookup can be found here.
How to Vote in Ohio
For Information: Visit VoteOhio.gov or call (614) 466-2655.
Registration: Voters can register online or by mail; they can also register at the county board of elections, the DMV, a county treasurer's office, or a library.
Check a Registration Status Online: voterlookup.ohiosos.gov
Registration Deadline for 2020 Election: October 5, 2020
Early and Absentee Voting: Ohio voters can vote absentee either by mail or in-person. Completed ballots must be received by Election Day.
Polling Place: Polling place lookup can be found here.
How to Vote in Oklahoma
For Information: Visit the Oklahoma State Election Board webpage or call (405) 521-2391.
Registration: Voters can fill out a form online (which must be printed, signed, and mailed to their County Election Board to complete the process) or download and hand-write one to be mailed to the their county Election Board.
Check a Registration Status Online: ok.gov/elections/OVP
Registration Deadline for 2020 Election: October 9, 2020
Early and Absentee Voting: Voters can request an absentee ballot online or by mail. They can also download a request form, which can be emailed, mailed, or faxed to their County Election Board. Normally, absentee ballots must be notarized or witnessed, but due to the COVID-19 emergency, voters might be able to include proof of ID instead. Completed ballots must be returned by 7 pm the day before Election Day.
Polling Place: Polling place lookup can be found here.
How to Vote in Oregon
For Information: Visit the Oregon Secretary of State's website or call (503) 986-1518.
Registration: Voters can complete a form to be mailed to a county election office, or complete the registration online.
Check a Registration Status Online: sos.oregon.gov/voting
Registration Deadline for 2020 Election: October 13, 2020
Early and Absentee Voting: Voting in Oregon is done entirely by mail; all registered voters get a mail-in ballot automatically. Ballots can be mailed in up to the Wednesday before the election or placed in an official drop box. All ballots must be received by 8 pm on Election Day.
Polling Place: Polling place lookup can be found here.
How to Vote in Pennsylvania
For Information: Visit the Pennsylvania Department of State's voter webpage or call (877) 868-3772.
Registration: Voters can register to vote online at votespa.com/register, or mail in or drop off a voter registration form to their county voter registration office. Voters can find the office information at votespa.com/county.
Check a Registration Status Online: votesPA.com/status
Registration Deadline for 2020 Election: October 19, 2020
Early and Absentee Voting: PA has absentee and mail-in voting, and voters can apply for either at votesPA.com/ApplyMailBallot. Completed ballots must be in by 8 pm on Election Day.
Polling Place: Polling place lookup can be found here.
How to Vote in Rhode Island
For Information: Visit the Rhode Island Department of State webpage or call (401) 222-2340.
Registration: Voters can register to vote online (with a Rhode Island driver's license or state ID). Voters can also print out a form and either drop it off at or mail it in to the local board of canvassers. Voters can also call Secretary Gorbea’s office at (401) 222-2340 or their local board of canvasser to request a registration form (or mail ballot application) be mailed to them.
Registration Deadline for 2020 Election: October 4, 2020. Voters can register to vote in-person on Election Day for presidential elections only.
Early and Absentee Voting: Voters can apply for a mail-in ballot by filling out a form and returning it to the local board of canvassers. Completed ballots must be received by Election Day. Last month, Rhode Island passed an early in-person voting law; now, voters can go to their city or town hall up to 20 days before an election and cast their ballot into a voting machine just as they would at a polling place. Make sure to call the city or town hall ahead of time.
Polling Place: Polling place lookup can be found here.
How to Vote in South Carolina
For Information: Visit the South Carolina Election Commission or call the county board of voter registration.
Registration: Voters can register in person, register online (with a driver's license or state ID), or download a form to return to the county board of voter registration by mail, fax, or email.
Check a Registration Status Online: info.scvotes.sc.gov.
Registration Deadline for 2020 Election: October 5, 2020
Early and Absentee Voting: Applications for mail-in ballots can be downloaded at scvotes.gov/absentee-voting, or can be requested from the county board by phone, mail, email, or fax. Completed ballots must be returned by mail or in person to the county board of elections by 7 pm on Election Day. Voters may vote absentee in person at their county board of voter registration up until 5 pm on the day before the election. Rules for photo ID required to vote at the polling place apply. They can also check their voter absentee status request online.
Polling Place: Polling place lookup can be found here.
How to Vote in South Dakota
For Information: Visit the South Dakota Secretary of State's website or call (605) 773-3537
Registration: Voters can mail in a registration form to their county auditor’s office, or download the form and return it in person at a county auditor's office, driver's license station, city finance office, Department of Human Services offices, or military recruitment offices.
Check a Registration Status Online: vip.sdsos.gov
Registration Deadline for 2020 Election: October 19, 2020
Early and Absentee Voting: Voters can download and print an absentee ballot application and mail it to a county election official. Completed ballots must be received by the close of the polls on Election Day.
Polling Place: Polling place lookup can be found here.
How to Vote in Tennessee
For Information: Visit the Tennessee Secretary of State's website or call (615) 741-7956.
Registration: Voters can register to vote online, or complete a form to be mailed in to or dropped off at a county election office.
Check a Registration Status Online: tnmap.tn.gov
Registration Deadline for 2020 Election: October 5, 2020.
Early and Absentee Voting: While anyone over the age of 60 can vote by mail, younger voters need to provide one of 13 accepted excuses to vote absentee. For more information about absentee voting visit GoVoteTN.com. Completed ballots must be in by Election Day. Tennessee does allow early voting in person to every resident. Early voting across Tennessee is October 14 to October 29.
Polling Place: Polling place lookup can be found here.
How to Vote in Texas
For Information: Visit the Texas Secretary of State’s elections website, or call (800) 252-8683) or (512) 463-5650.
Registration: Voter registration is not available online; voters must mail in or drop off a voter registration form to a county voter registrar's office.
Check a Registration Status Online: teamrv-mvp.sos.texas.gov
Registration Deadline for 2020 Election: October 5, 2020.
Early and Absentee Voting: Early voting, in person, is available from October 13 to October 30. Absentee ballots are only available to people who are disabled, 65 years of age or older, or out of the country. If voters meet the criteria, they can download and mail in a request for a ballot. Completed ballots must be received by 7 pm on Election Day.
Polling Place: Polling place lookup can be found here.
How to Vote in Utah
For Information: Visit the Official Utah Voter Information webpage or call (801) 983-0275.
Registration: Voters can register online (with a Utah driver's license or state ID), or fill out a paper form and return to the county clerk's office by mail or in person.
Check a Registration Status Online: votesearch.utah.gov
Registration Deadline for 2020 Election: All voter registrations must be received by the county clerk by 5 pm on Friday, October 23. If a voter misses this deadline, they can register to vote at an early voting location or an Election Day voting location, but they must present two forms of identification before voting.
Early and Absentee Voting: Utah votes by mail, and every active registered voter in the state will receive a mail ballot. Voters can visit vote.utah.gov to find ballot drop boxes in their area.
Polling Place: Polling place lookup can be found here.
How to Vote in Vermont
For Information: Visit the Vermont Secretary of State's Website or call (802) 828-2363.
Registration: Voters can register register to vote online, or download a form to return to the town clerk's office by mail or in person.
Check a Registration Status Online: mvp.vermont.gov
Registration Deadline for 2020 Election: There is no deadline to register to vote. (Voters can register up to and in-person on Election Day.)
Early and Absentee Voting: Voters can request an absentee ballot online, by mail, or at a town clerk's office. Completed ballots must be received by 7 pm on Election Day.
Polling Place: Polling place lookup can be found here.
How to Vote in Virginia
For Information: Visit the Virginia Department of Elections, or call (804) 864-8901 or (800) 552-9745.
Registration: Voters can register to vote online, or download a form to return to the Department of Elections or a local voter registration office by mail or in-person.
Check a Registration Status Online: vote.elections.virginia.gov
Registration Deadline for 2020 Election: Registrations submitted in person or by mail must be received no later than 5 pm October 13, 2020. Registrations submitted online must be received no later than 11:59 pm October 13, 2020.
Early and Absentee Voting: Voters can request an absentee without an excuse, and apply for an absentee ballot online or by mail. Ballots must be requested by 5 pm on October 23. Ballots must be returned to the local registrar by 7 pm on Election Day.
Polling Place: Polling place lookup can be found here.
How to Vote in Washington
For Information: Visit Washington’s Secretary of State website or call (800) 448-4881.
Registration: Voters can register to vote online or print a form and return it by mail or in person to the State Elections Division or the county elections office.
Check a Registration Status Online: VoteWA.gov
Registration Deadline for 2020 Election: Online and by-mail registrations must be received by October 26, 2020. After Oct. 26, people may visit their county elections offices to register in person through 8 pm Election Day.
Early and Absentee Voting: Washington is a vote-by-mail state, so every active registered voter automatically gets a mail-in ballot. Ballots must be postmarked no later than Election Day or returned to a ballot drop box by 8 pm on Election Day. In addition, each county opens a voting center prior to each election; each voting center is open during business hours for a period that begins eighteen days before the election and ends at 8 pm on Election Day.
Polling Place: Polling place lookup can be found here.
How to Vote in Washington, D.C.
For Information: Visit the District of Columbia's Board of Elections webpage, or call (202) 727-2525 or (866) 328-6837.
Registration: Voters can download the registration form and return it by email ([email protected]), fax (202-347-2648), by mail, or in person at the D.C. Board of Elections.
Check a Registration Status Online: dcboe.org
Registration Deadline for 2020 Election: October 13, 2020. For those who miss the deadline, same-day voter registration is available on Election Day, though it requires proper ID.
Early and Absentee Voting: Voters can fill out an absentee ballot request online; completed ballots must be postmarked on or before Election Day, and must be arrive no later than the seventh day after Election Day.
Polling Place: Polling place lookup can be found here.
How to Vote in West Virginia
For Information: Visit the West Virginia Secretary of State's website or call (866) 767-8683.
Registration: Voters can register to vote online, or fill out a form and return to a county clerk's office by mail or in person.
Check a Registration Status Online: services.sos.wv.gov
Registration Deadline for 2020 Election: October 13, 2020
Early and Absentee Voting: Voters can request an absentee ballot by returning a form to the county clerk's office either by mail or in person. Completed ballots must be postmarked by Election Day or received in the mail by November 4. Military and overseas ballots must be received before November 9.
Polling Place: Polling place lookup can be found here.
How to Vote in Wisconsin
For Information: Visit the My Vote Wisconsin website or call (866) 868-3947.
Registration: Voters can register to vote online (with a driver's license or state ID), or fill out a form and to return to a municipal clerk's office by mail or in person.
Check a Registration Status Online: myvote.wi.gov
Registration Deadline for 2020 Election: October 14, 2020, though registration is available in municipal clerk's office until the Friday before the election and same-day voter registration is available on Election Day.
Early and Absentee Voting: Wisconsin allows no-excuse absentee voting, and voters can apply online. Ballots must be received by 8 pm on Election Day.
Polling Place: Polling place lookup can be found here.
How to Vote in Wyoming
For Information: Visit Wyoming Secretary of State's website or call (307) 777-5860.
Registration: Voters can register in-person at a local county clerk's office. To register by mail, a notarized Wyoming voter registration application is required, along with proof of ID.
Check a Registration Status Online: www.vote.org.
Registration Deadline for 2020 Election: October 19, 2020.
Early and Absentee Voting: Wyoming allows no-excuse absentee voting and early voting. Applications can be downloaded online and can be returned to the county clerk (by mail, email, or in person); completed ballots must be received by the time the polls close at 7 pm on Election Day.
Polling Place: Polling place lookup can be found here.
More on Navigating the 2020 Election as a Family
You Might Also Like
