Early voting

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Information about Voting in 2013

Election Dates Voting in 2013 Primaries • Voting on November 5, 2013 Poll Opening and Closing Times Absentee voting • Early voting  Open Primary • Closed Primary • Blanket Primary  • Online voter registration in the 50 states

This page contains early voting information pertaining to the 50 states, up to date for the 2013 elections.

Early voting refers to voting in person at a polling station prior to the election date. "Absentee in-person" voting is included as a form of early voting. All but 8 states allow early voting in some form.

State-by-state-breakdown

43 states allow early voting in some capacity.

• Of those, 33 states do not require any special requirements to vote early. They are as follows:

• Alaska
• Arizona
• Arkansas
• California
• Colorado
• Florida
• Georgia
• Hawaii
• Idaho
• Illinois
• Indiana

• Iowa
• Kansas
• Louisiana
• Maine
• Maryland
• Montana
• Nebraska
• Nevada
• New Mexico
• North Carolina
• North Dakota
• Ohio
• Oklahoma
• South Dakota
• Tennessee
• Texas
• Utah
• Vermont
• Washington
• West Virginia
• Wisconsin
• Wyoming

• 9 states have special requirements pertaining to who is eligible to vote early. They are as follows: Delaware, Kentucky, Massachusetts, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, New York, South Carolina, and Virginia

The following are among the most common requirements for early voting:

• absence from the county on election day;
• illness or physical disability;
• is an appointed election officer or poll worked at a polling place other than his or her own;
• works a required shift during polling hours on election day
• religious observance

• In the remaining state, New Jersey, early voting is handled on a county by county basis; not all counties have early voting.

• Of the 43 states that allow early voting, 28 of them have a defined start date for when early voting begins.
  • The average number of days prior to an election that voters can cast an early ballot is 21 days in the 29 states analyzed. There are 9 states that allow early voting to begin as soon as a ballot is made available.

7 states do not allow early voting: Alabama, Connecticut, Michigan, New Hampshire, Oregon, Pennsylvania, and Rhode Island.

Early voting

The tabs below contain the following information relating to early voting on a state-by-state basis:

• Does the state allow early voting?
• Eligibility requirements
• Dates during which early voting is allowed

• Alabama
• Alaska
• Arizona
• Arkansas
• California
• Colorado
• Connecticut
• Delaware
• Florida
• Georgia
• Hawaii
• Idaho
• Illinois
• Indiana
• Iowa
• Kansas
• Kentucky
• Louisiana
• Maine
• Maryland
• Massachusetts
• Michigan
• Minnesota
• Mississippi
• Missouri
• Montana
• Nebraska
• Nevada
• New Hampshire
• New Jersey
• New Mexico
• New York
• North Carolina
• North Dakota
• Ohio
• Oklahoma
• Oregon
• Pennsylvania
• Rhode Island
• South Carolina
• South Dakota
• Tennessee
• Texas
• Utah
• Vermont
• Virginia
• Washington
• West Virginia
• Wisconsin
• Wyoming

See also: Voting in Alabama

Alabama is one of seven states that does not have any form of early voting.

See also: Voting in Alaska

Alaska is one of 33 states that has early voting with no specific requirements as to who can vote early. Early voting begins 15 days before an election and ends on election day. The average number of days prior to an election that voters can cast an early ballot is 21 days in states with a definitive starting date.

See also: Voting in Arizona

Arizona is one of 33 states that has early voting with no specific requirements as to who can vote early. Early voting begins 33 days before an election and ends on the day prior to election day. The average number of days prior to an election that voters can cast an early ballot is 21 days in states with a definitive starting date.

See also: Voting in Arkansas

Arkansas is one of 33 states that has early voting with no specific requirements as to who can vote early. Early voting begins 15 days before an election and ends on the day prior to election day. The average number of days prior to an election that voters can cast an early ballot is 21 days in states with a definitive starting date.

See also: Voting in California

California is one of 33 states that has early voting with no specific requirements as to who can vote early. Early voting begins 29 days before an election and ends on the day prior to election day. The average number of days prior to an election that voters can cast an early ballot is 21 days in states with a definitive starting date.

See also: Voting in Colorado

Colorado is one of 33 states that has early voting with no specific requirements as to who can vote early. Early voting begins 10 days before a primary election and 15 days before a general election and ends on the day prior to election day. The average number of days prior to an election that voters can cast an early ballot is 21 days in states with a definitive starting date.

See also: Voting in Connecticut

Connecticut is one of seven states that does not have any form of early voting.

See also: Voting in Delaware

Delaware is one of 8 states which allow early voting but require an excuse to vote early. Early voting is offered in the form of absentee in-person voting and is available as soon as absentee ballots are made available up until noon on election day.

To vote early you need to provide an excuse for why you will be unable to vote at the polls during normal voting hours. The following are valid reasons:

• The nature of your work or schooling prevents you from going to your polling place.
• Your service to the United States or to the State of Delaware prevents you from going to your polling place. Spouses or dependents of the person in service also qualify. (Public service includes military, diplomatic, etc.)
• The tenets or teaching of your religion prevent you from going to your polling place on election day.
• You are on vacation on election day.
• You are sick.
• You are permanently or temporarily disabled.
• You are incarcerated (non-felony).

See also: Voting in Florida

Florida is one of 33 states that has early voting with no specific requirements as to who can vote early. Early voting begins 10 days before an election and ends 3 days prior to election day. The average number of days prior to an election that voters can cast an early ballot is 21 days in states with a definitive starting date.

2013 developments

Senator Miguel Diaz de la Portilla, the man who sponsored the 2011 law that reduced the number of early voting days in Florida, authored a bill which would provide increased early voting opportunities.

The newest early voting proposal would give counties an extra day for early voting before a general election and allow them to keep polls open for 14 hours. In addition, the bill would require all elections supervisors to submit a report three months prior to a general election, outlining preparations for that election.

In addition, Florida's election supervisors have asked the legislature for the following changes with respect to early voting:

• Require that the Legislature comply with the 75-word ballot summary requirement that is required for citizen-led ballot initiatives (Lawmakers exempted themselves from that requirement years ago, and ordered the full text of several amendments to be on the November ballot, a leading contributor to long lines at polling places).

• Require eight days of early voting in primary and general elections "with the option for supervisors to provide additional days not to exceed 14 days." (In 2011 the legislature reduced the number of early voting days from 14 to 8).

• Give election supervisors the leeway to select more early voting sites (currently limited to election offices, city halls and libraries).

2012 developments

In 2011, the Republican-controlled legislature cut the number of early voting days from 12 to 8. However, due to a ruling by the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia, the counties of Collier, Hardee, Hendry, Hillsborough, and Monroe would retain their full 12 days of early voting. That is because these counties are covered by Section 5 of the Voting Rights Act of 1965.

The Justice Department has since agreed with the state's early voting schedule provided that the five counties must offer 96 hours of voting between the hours of 7 a.m. and 7 p.m. over eight days, the maximum under the law. Both the counties and the state have agreed to the terms, so the case should now be thrown out.

See also: Voting in Georgia

Georgia is one of 33 states that has early voting with no specific requirements as to who can vote early. Early voting is held on the Monday-Friday of the week immediately preceding the election. The average number of days prior to an election that voters can cast an early ballot is 21 days in states with a definitive starting date.

See also: Voting in Hawaii

Hawaii is one of 33 states that has early voting with no specific requirements as to who can vote early. Early voting begins 14 days before an election and ends 3 days prior to election day. The average number of days prior to an election that voters can cast an early ballot is 21 days in states with a definitive starting date.

See also: Voting in Idaho

Idaho is one of 33 states that has early voting with no specific requirements as to who can vote early. Early voting begins as soon as ballots become available and ends 4 days prior to election day.

See also: Voting in Illinois

Illinois is one of 33 states that has early voting with no specific requirements as to who can vote early. Early voting begins 15 days before an election and ends on the day prior to election day. The average number of days prior to an election that voters can cast an early ballot is 21 days in states with a definitive starting date.

See also: Voting in Indiana

Indiana is one of 33 states that has early voting with no specific requirements as to who can vote early. Early voting begins 29 days before an election and ends on the day prior to election day. The average number of days prior to an election that voters can cast an early ballot is 21 days in states with a definitive starting date.

See also: Voting in Iowa

Iowa is one of 33 states that has early voting with no specific requirements as to who can vote early. Early voting begins as soon as ballots are made available and ends on the day prior to election day.

See also: Voting in Kansas

Kansas is one of 33 states that has early voting with no specific requirements as to who can vote early. Early voting begins 15 days before an election and ends on the day prior to election day. The average number of days prior to an election that voters can cast an early ballot is 21 days in states with a definitive starting date.

See also: Voting in Kentucky

Kentucky is one of 8 states which allow early voting but require an excuse to vote early. Early voting begins 12 work days prior to the election and ends on election day. The average number of days prior to an election that voters can cast an early ballot is 21 days in states with a definitive starting date.

To vote early you need to provide an excuse for why you will be unable to vote at the polls during normal voting hours. The following are valid reasons:

• You will be out of the county on election day;
• You are Military, their Dependents, or an Overseas Citizen;
• You are Military personnel confined to base and learn of your confinement within seven days or less of an election;
• You are a Student who resides outside the county or a resident who temporarily resides outside of the state, and will not be in the county on Election Day;
• You are a voter or the spouse of a voter who has surgery scheduled that will require hospitalization on Election Day;
• You are a pregnant woman in your third trimester.
• You are a Precinct election officer appointed to serve in precinct other than his own
• You are a Alternate precinct officer
• You are a County Board of Elections’ members
• You are a County Board of Elections’ staff member
• You are a Deputy county clerk
• You are a State Board of Elections’ staff member

See also: Voting in Louisiana

Louisiana is one of 33 states that has early voting with no specific requirements as to who can vote early. Early voting begins 14 days before an election and ends 7 days prior to election day. The average number of days prior to an election that voters can cast an early ballot is 21 days in states with a definitive starting date.

See also: Voting in Maine

Maine is one of 33 states that has early voting with no specific requirements as to who can vote early. Early voting begins as soon as ballots are made available and ends the day before election day.

See also: Voting in Maryland

Maryland is one of 33 states that has early voting with no specific requirements as to who can vote early. Early voting begins on the 2nd Saturday prior to election and ends on the Thursday before the election (10-5 days prior). It is not held on the Sunday that falls in that period of time. The average number of days prior to an election that voters can cast an early ballot is 21 days in states with a definitive starting date.

See also: Voting in Massachusetts

Massachusetts is one of 8 states which allow early voting but require an excuse to vote early. Early voting begins as soon as absentee ballots become available.

To vote early you need to provide an excuse for why you will be unable to vote at the polls during normal voting hours. The following are valid reasons:

• you will be away from your city or town on election day
• you have a disability that prevents you from voting at the polls
• you cannot vote on election day due to religious beliefs

See also: Voting in Michigan

Michigan is one of seven states that does not have any form of early voting.

See also: Voting in Minnesota

Minnesota is one of 8 states which allow early voting but require an excuse to vote early. Early voting begins 46 days prior to the election and ends on election day. The average number of days prior to an election that voters can cast an early ballot is 21 days in states with a definitive starting date.

To vote early you need to provide an excuse for why you will be unable to vote at the polls during normal voting hours. The following are valid reasons:

• you will be away from home on election day
• you are ill or disabled
• you are an election judge serving in a precinct other than your own
• unable to go to the polling place due to a religious observance or belief

See also: Voting in Mississippi

Mississippi is one of 8 states which allow early voting but require an excuse to vote early. Contact your local election office to find out when early voting is available in your county.

To vote early you need to provide an excuse for why you will be unable to vote at the polls during normal voting hours. The following are valid reasons:

• You will be outside the county on election day.
• You are an enlisted or commissioned member of any component of the United States Armed Forces, or spouse or dependent of such member.
• You are a Member of the Merchant Marine or the American Red Cross, or spouse or dependent of such member.
• You are a disabled war veteran who is a patient in any hospital, or the spouse or dependent of such veteran.
• You are a civilian attached to and serving outside of the United States with any branch of the Armed Forces or with the Merchant Marine or American Red Cross, or spouse or dependent of such civilian. You are a citizen of Mississippi temporarily residing outside the territorial limits of the United States and the District of Columbia.
• You are a student, teacher or administrator at a college, university, junior or community college, high, junior high, elementary or grade school, whose studies or employment at such institution necessitates your absence from the county of your voting residence or spouse or dependent of such student, teacher or administrator
• You have a temporary or permanent physical disability.
• You are sixty-five (65) years of age or older.
• You are the parent, spouse or dependent of a person with a temporary or permanent physical disability who is hospitalized outside his or her county of residence or more than fifty (50) miles away from his or her residence, and you will be with such person on election day.
• You are a member of the congressional delegation, or spouse or dependent of a member of the congressional delegation.
• You are required to be at work on election day during the times which the polls will be open.

See also: Voting in Missouri

Missouri allows early in-person voting, but only for those who will not be in their home county on the day of the election.

2013 developments

Missouri Secretary of State Jason Kander appointed an 11-member commission to review the state's election laws with the goal of increasing participation in early voting. The commission proposed removing the restriction on early voting and creating one polling place in each district where residents could vote early up to six weeks before election day.

Additionally, the proposal would require districts with more than 175,000 registered voters to open up additional locations for early voting for a November presidential election. The locations would be required to be open at least four hours a day for a minimum of 14 days prior to the election.

See also: Voting in Montana

Montana is one of 33 states that has early voting with no specific requirements as to who can vote early. Early voting begins as soon as ballots are made available and ends on the day prior to election day.

See also: Voting in Nebraska

Nebraska is one of 33 states that has early voting with no specific requirements as to who can vote early. Early voting begins 35 days before an election and ends on the day prior to election day. The average number of days prior to an election that voters can cast an early ballot is 21 days in states with a definitive starting date.

See also: Voting in Nevada

Nevada is one of 33 states that has early voting with no specific requirements as to who can vote early. Early voting begins on the 3rd Saturday before the election and ends on the Friday prior to the election (17-4 days prior). The average number of days prior to an election that voters can cast an early ballot is 21 days in states with a definitive starting date.

See also: Voting in New Hampshire

New Hampshire is one of seven states that does not have any form of early voting.

See also: Voting in New Jersey

New Jersey does not have a state-wide early voting system in place. Certain counties do allow early voting, however. Check with your local election official for more information.

See also: Voting in New Mexico

New Mexico is one of 33 states that has early voting with no specific requirements as to who can vote early. Early voting begins on the 3rd Saturday before the election and ends on the Saturday prior to election day (17-3 days prior). The average number of days prior to an election that voters can cast an early ballot is 21 days in states with a definitive starting date.

See also: Voting in New York

New York is one of 8 states which allow early voting but require an excuse to vote early. Early voting begins as soon as ballots are available (at least 32 days before election day) and ends the day prior to the election. The average number of days prior to an election that voters can cast an early ballot is 21 days in states with a definitive starting date.

To vote early you need to provide an excuse for why you will be unable to vote at the polls during normal voting hours. The following are valid reasons:

• unavoidably absent from your county on election day
• unable to appear at the polls due to illness or disability
• a patient in a Veterans’ Administration Hospital
• detained in jail awaiting Grand Jury action or confined in prison after conviction for an offense other than a felony

See also: Voting in North Carolina

North Carolina is one of 33 states that has early voting with no specific requirements as to who can vote early. Early voting begins on the 3rd Thursday prior to election day and ends on the Saturday prior to the election (19-3 days prior). The average number of days prior to an election that voters can cast an early ballot is 21 days in states with a definitive starting date.

See also: Voting in North Dakota

North Dakota is one of 33 states that has early voting with no specific requirements as to who can vote early. Early voting begins 15 days before an election and ends on the day prior to election day. The average number of days prior to an election that voters can cast an early ballot is 21 days in states with a definitive starting date.

See also: Voting in Ohio

Ohio is one of 33 states that has early voting with no specific requirements as to who can vote early. Early voting begins 35 days before an election and ends the day prior to election day. The average number of days prior to an election that voters can cast an early ballot is 21 days in states with a definitive starting date.

2012 developments

The Supreme Court let the ruling of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit stand on October 16, 2012, in a one-sentence order. The Appeals Court ruled earlier that early voting must be offered to all voters if it is offered to the military, and the Supreme Court's decision finally puts the issue to rest. This decision marks a victory for the Obama campaign, which sued to overturn the restricting put into place by Ohio Secretary of State Jon Husted.

Previously early voting had been restored during the last three days before the November 6 election for all Ohio citizens by a federal district court. From there, the decision was appealed to the Sixth Circuit Court of Appeals and finally to the Supreme Court.

U.S. District Court Judge Peter C. Economus stated the following, "this Court notes that restoring in-person early voting to all Ohio voters through the Monday before Election Day does not deprive [military] voters from early voting." He went on to say, "Instead, and more importantly, it places all Ohio voters on equal standing."

The lawsuit was filed in response to a directive which allowed certain individuals, specifically military personnel and their families, to vote in the three days preceding the election, while disallowing all others.

See also: Voting in Oklahoma

Oklahoma is one of 33 states that has early voting with no specific requirements as to who can vote early. Early voting is held on the Friday, Saturday, and Monday immediately preceding election day. The average number of days prior to an election that voters can cast an early ballot is 21 days in states with a definitive starting date.

See also: Voting in Oregon

Oregon is one of seven states that does not have any form of early voting.

See also: Voting in Pennsylvania

Pennsylvania is one of seven states that does not have any form of early voting.

See also: Voting in Rhode Island

Rhode Island is one of seven states that does not have any form of early voting.

See also: Voting in South Carolina

South Carolina is one of 8 states which allow early voting but require an excuse to vote early. Early voting begins as soon as ballots become available and ends on the day prior to election day.

To vote early you need to provide an excuse for why you will be unable to vote at the polls during normal voting hours. Falling into any of the following categories is a valid reason:

• a student away at college (or a spouse or dependent residing with the student)
• a member of the Armed Forces, Merchant Marines, Red Cross, USO, government employees, or a spouse or dependent residing with such a person
• a person with a job that prevents you from voting in person on election day
• physically disabled
• away on vacation on election day
• 65 or older
• confined to a jail or pre-trial facility pending disposition of arrest or trial
• attending sick or physically disabled persons
• on jury duty in state or federal court on election day
• a certified poll watchers or poll managers

See also: Voting in South Dakota

South Dakota is one of 33 states that has early voting with no specific requirements as to who can vote early. Early voting begins as soon as ballots are made available and ends on the day prior to election day.

See also: Voting in Tennessee

Tennessee is one of 33 states that has early voting with no specific requirements as to who can vote early. Early voting begins 20 days before an election and ends 5 days prior to election day. The average number of days prior to an election that voters can cast an early ballot is 21 days in states with a definitive starting date.

See also: Voting in Texas

Texas is one of 33 states that has early voting with no specific requirements as to who can vote early. Early voting begins 17 days before an election and ends 4 days prior to election day. The average number of days prior to an election that voters can cast an early ballot is 21 days in states with a definitive starting date.

See also: Voting in Utah

Utah is one of 33 states that has early voting with no specific requirements as to who can vote early. Early voting begins 14 days before an election and ends 4 days prior to election day. The average number of days prior to an election that voters can cast an early ballot is 21 days in states with a definitive starting date.

See also: Voting in Vermont

Vermont is one of 33 states that has early voting with no specific requirements as to who can vote early. Early voting begins 45 days before an election and ends on the day prior to election day. The average number of days prior to an election that voters can cast an early ballot is 21 days in states with a definitive starting date.

See also: Voting in Virginia

Virginia is one of 8 states which allow early voting but require an excuse to vote early. Early voting begins as soon as ballots become available and ends on the Saturday before the election.

To vote early you need to provide an excuse for why you will be unable to vote at the polls during normal voting hours. The following are valid reasons:

• you will be absent from the county or city in which you are entitled to vote, due to an obligation of business, profession, or occupation or while on personal business or vacation;
• you are a student, or spouse of a student, attending a school or institution of learning, who will be absent on the day of election from the county or city in which you are entitled to vote;
• you are unable to go in person to the polls on the day of election because of a disability, illness or pregnancy;
• you are confined while awaiting trial or for having been convicted of a misdemeanor, provided that the trial or release date is scheduled on or after the third day preceding the election. (If you are awaiting trial and are a resident of the county or city where you are confined, you may request to be taken to the polls to vote on election day if your trial date is postponed and you did not have an opportunity to vote absentee);
• you are a member of an electoral board, registrar, officer of election, or custodian of voting equipment;
• you are duly registered and unable to go in person to the polls on the day of the election because you are primarily and personally responsible for the care of an ill or disabled family member who is confined at home; or
• you are duly registered and unable to go in person to the polls on the day of the election because of an obligation occasioned by your religion.
• you are (i) a member of a uniformed service of the United States on active duty, or (ii) A member of the merchant marine of the United States, or (iii) you temporarily reside outside of the United States, or (iv) are the spouse or dependent residing with any person listed in (i), (ii), or (iii), and who will be absent on the day of the election from the county or city in which he is entitled to vote;

See also: Voting in Washington

Washington is one of 33 states that has early voting with no specific requirements as to who can vote early. Early voting begins 18 days before an election and ends on the day prior to election day. The average number of days prior to an election that voters can cast an early ballot is 21 days in states with a definitive starting date.

See also: Voting in West Virginia

West Virginia is one of 33 states that has early voting with no specific requirements as to who can vote early. Early voting begins 13 days before an election and ends 3 days prior to election day. The average number of days prior to an election that voters can cast an early ballot is 21 days in states with a definitive starting date.

See also: Voting in Wisconsin

Wisconsin is one of 33 states that has early voting with no specific requirements as to who can vote early. Early voting begins as soon as ballots become available and ends on the day prior to election day. The average number of days prior to an election that voters can cast an early ballot is 21 days in states with a definitive starting date.

See also: Voting in Wyoming

Wyoming is one of 33 states that has early voting with no specific requirements as to who can vote early. Early voting begins 40 days before an election and ends on the day prior to election day. The average number of days prior to an election that voters can cast an early ballot is 21 days in states with a definitive starting date.