Voting by mail is one of the easiest ways of casting a ballot. It’s sometimes called “absentee voting” or “voting from home.”
In many states, you — if you’re registered to vote — will either receive a mail-in ballot, or a form to request a ballot. Then you’ll be able to return it in one of three ways:
1. Mail it back
2. Drop it at a designated drop box
3. Return to a vote center early or your precinct on Election Day
In these states and territories, you will automatically receive a mail-in ballot:
California, Oregon, Nevada, Colorado, Utah, Washington, Vermont, New Jersey, D.C., Hawaii, and some counties in Montana.
In these states, you’ll receive a from to request a mail-in ballot:
Michigan, Ohio, Wisconsin, Iowa, Nebraska, Maryland, Delaware, and Illinois.
In these states, you won’t automatically receive a ballot or request form, but you can request a mail-in ballot. In many of these state no excuse is required. If one is required, however, you can cite your fear of catching the Coronavirus as one.
Arizona, Florida, Georgia, North Carolina, South Carolina, Minnesota, Alaska, Montana, North Dakota, Idaho, Pennsylvania, New York, Massachusetts, Maine, Rhode Island, Missouri, Kentucky, West Virginia, Virginia, New Mexico, Kansas, Arkansas, Oklahoma, and Alabama.
Finally, in the five states, you need an excuse to request an absentee ballot. Usually the acceptable excuses are serious illness, caring for others, and traveling during voting period.
Texas, Indiana, Louisiana, Mississippi, Missouri, and Tennessee.
For more information on specific states and their deadlines, check Vote.org.