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Absentee/mail-in ballot request deadlines, 2026

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All states allow for some form of absentee/mail-in voting. Some states require voters to provide a valid excuse to vote absentee/by mail, while others allow any eligible voter to cast an absentee/mail-in ballot.[1][2]

This article lists absentee/mail-in ballot request deadlines for statewide primaries and general elections in 2026. For additional information about absentee/mail-in voting, click here.

Primary election deadlines

The table below displays absentee/mail-in ballot request deadlines for statewide primary elections in 2026. Statewide primary elections are administered by each state according to state law. They allow political parties that meet certain state qualifications to determine which candidates will represent them in the general election.

Eight states and the District of Columbia use what is commonly referred to as all-mail voting. In these states, voting is conducted primarily, although not necessarily exclusively, by mail, and no request is required.

Absentee/mail-in ballot request deadlines
StateElection dateIn-person request deadlineOnline request deadlineMail request deadlineMail request deadline typeSource
AlabamaMay 19, 2026May 14, 2026May 12, 2026ReceivedSource
AlaskaAug. 18, 2026Aug. 8, 2026Aug. 8, 2026Aug. 8, 2026PostmarkedSource
ArizonaJuly 21, 2026July 10, 2026July 10, 2026July 10, 2026ReceivedSource
ArkansasMarch 3, 2026Feb. 27, 2026Feb. 24, 2026ReceivedSource
ColoradoJune 30, 2026All mailAll mailAll mailSource
ConnecticutAug. 11, 2026Aug. 10, 2026Aug. 10, 2026Aug. 10, 2026ReceivedSource
DelawareSept. 15, 2026Sept. 11, 2026Sept. 11, 2026Sept. 11, 2026ReceivedSource
District of ColumbiaJune 16, 2026June 1, 2026June 1, 2026June 1, 2026ReceivedSource
FloridaAug. 18, 2026Aug. 6, 2026Aug. 6, 2026Aug. 6, 2026ReceivedSource
GeorgiaMay 19, 2026May 8, 2026May 8, 2026May 8, 2026ReceivedSource
HawaiiAug. 8, 2026All mailAll mailAll mailSource
IdahoMay 19, 2026May 8, 2026May 8, 2026May 8, 2026ReceivedSource
IllinoisMarch 17, 2026March 16, 2026March 12, 2026March 12, 2026ReceivedSource
IndianaMay 5, 2026April 23, 2026April 23, 2026April 23, 2026ReceivedSource
IowaJune 2, 2026May 18, 2026May 18, 2026ReceivedSource
KansasAug. 4, 2026July 28, 2026July 28, 2026July 28, 2026ReceivedSource
KentuckyMay 19, 2026May 5, 2026Source
LouisianaMay 16, 2026May 12, 2026May 12, 2026May 12, 2026ReceivedSource
MaineJune 9, 2026June 4, 2026June 4, 2026June 4, 2026ReceivedSource
MarylandJune 23, 2026June 23, 2026June 19, 2026June 16, 2026ReceivedSource
MassachusettsSept. 1, 2026Aug. 25, 2026Aug. 25, 2026Aug. 25, 2026ReceivedSource
MichiganAug. 4, 2026Aug. 3, 2026July 31, 2026July 31, 2026ReceivedSource
MinnesotaAug. 11, 2026Aug. 10, 2026Aug. 10, 2026Aug. 10, 2026ReceivedSource
MississippiMarch 10, 2026Source
MissouriAug. 4, 2026Aug. 3, 2026July 22, 2026July 22, 2026ReceivedSource
MontanaJune 2, 2026June 1, 2026June 1, 2026ReceivedSource
NebraskaMay 12, 2026May 1, 2026May 1, 2026ReceivedSource
NevadaJune 9, 2026All mailAll mailAll mailSource
New HampshireSept. 8, 2026Sept. 7, 2026Sept. 7, 2026ReceivedSource
New JerseyJune 2, 2026June 1, 2026May 26, 2026May 26, 2026ReceivedSource
New MexicoJune 2, 2026May 19, 2026May 19, 2026May 19, 2026ReceivedSource
New YorkJune 23, 2026June 22, 2026June 13, 2026June 13, 2026ReceivedSource
North CarolinaMarch 3, 2026Feb. 17, 2026Feb. 17, 2026Feb. 17, 2026ReceivedSource
North DakotaJune 9, 2026June 9, 2026Source
OhioMay 5, 2026April 28, 2026April 28, 2026ReceivedSource
OklahomaJune 16, 2026June 1, 2026June 1, 2026June 1, 2026ReceivedSource
OregonMay 19, 2026All mailAll mailAll mailSource
PennsylvaniaMay 19, 2026May 12, 2026May 12, 2026May 12, 2026ReceivedSource
Rhode IslandSept. 8, 2026Aug. 18, 2026Aug. 18, 2026Aug. 18, 2026ReceivedSource
South CarolinaJune 9, 2026May 29, 2026May 29, 2026ReceivedSource
South DakotaJune 2, 2026June 1, 2026June 1, 2026ReceivedSource
TennesseeAug. 6, 2026July 27, 2026July 27, 2026July 27, 2026ReceivedSource
TexasMarch 3, 2026Feb. 20, 2026Feb. 20, 2026ReceivedSource
UtahJune 23, 2026All mailAll mailAll mailSource
VermontAug. 11, 2026Aug. 10, 2026Aug. 10, 2026Aug. 10, 2026ReceivedSource
VirginiaAug. 4, 2026July 24, 2026July 24, 2026July 24, 2026ReceivedSource
WashingtonAug. 4, 2026All mailAll mailAll mailSource
West VirginiaMay 12, 2026May 6, 2026May 6, 2026May 6, 2026ReceivedSource
WisconsinAug. 11, 2026Aug. 9, 2026Aug. 6, 2026Aug. 6, 2026ReceivedSource
WisconsinFeb. 17, 2026Feb. 15, 2026Feb. 12, 2026Feb. 12, 2026ReceivedSource
WyomingAug. 18, 2026Aug. 17, 2026Aug. 17, 2026ReceivedSource

General election deadlines

The table below displays absentee/mail-in ballot request deadlines for statewide general elections in 2026.

Eight states and the District of Columbia use what is commonly referred to as all-mail voting. In these states, voting is conducted primarily, although not necessarily exclusively, by mail, and no request is required.


Absentee/mail-in ballot request deadlines
StateElection dateIn-person request deadlineOnline request deadlineMail request deadlineMail request deadline typeSource
AlabamaNov. 3, 2026Oct. 29, 2026Oct. 27, 2026ReceivedSource
AlaskaNov. 3, 2026Oct. 24, 2026Oct. 24, 2026Oct. 24, 2026PostmarkedSource
ArizonaNov. 3, 2026Oct. 23, 2026Oct. 23, 2026Oct. 23, 2026ReceivedSource
ArkansasNov. 3, 2026Oct. 30, 2026Oct. 27, 2026ReceivedSource
ColoradoNov. 3, 2026All mailAll mailAll mailSource
ConnecticutNov. 3, 2026Nov. 2, 2026Nov. 2, 2026Nov. 2, 2026ReceivedSource
DelawareNov. 3, 2026Oct. 30, 2026Oct. 30, 2026Oct. 30, 2026ReceivedSource
District of ColumbiaNov. 3, 2026Oct. 19, 2026Oct. 19, 2026Oct. 19, 2026ReceivedSource
FloridaNov. 3, 2026Oct. 22, 2026Oct. 22, 2026Oct. 22, 2026ReceivedSource
GeorgiaNov. 3, 2026Oct. 23, 2026Oct. 23, 2026Oct. 23, 2026ReceivedSource
HawaiiNov. 3, 2026All mailAll mailAll mailSource
IdahoNov. 3, 2026Oct. 23, 2026Oct. 23, 2026Oct. 23, 2026ReceivedSource
IllinoisNov. 3, 2026Nov. 2, 2026Oct. 29, 2026Oct. 29, 2026ReceivedSource
IndianaNov. 3, 2026Oct. 22, 2026Oct. 22, 2026Oct. 22, 2026ReceivedSource
IowaNov. 3, 2026Oct. 19, 2026Oct. 19, 2026ReceivedSource
KansasNov. 3, 2026Oct. 27, 2026Oct. 27, 2026Oct. 27, 2026ReceivedSource
KentuckyNov. 3, 2026Oct. 20, 2026Source
LouisianaNov. 3, 2026Oct. 30, 2026Oct. 30, 2026Oct. 30, 2026ReceivedSource
LouisianaDec. 12, 2026Dec. 8, 2026Dec. 8, 2026Dec. 8, 2026ReceivedSource
MaineNov. 3, 2026Oct. 29, 2026Oct. 29, 2026Oct. 29, 2026ReceivedSource
MarylandNov. 3, 2026Nov. 3, 2026Oct. 30, 2026Oct. 27, 2026ReceivedSource
MassachusettsNov. 3, 2026Oct. 27, 2026Oct. 27, 2026Oct. 27, 2026ReceivedSource
MichiganNov. 3, 2026Nov. 2, 2026Oct. 30, 2026Oct. 30, 2026ReceivedSource
MinnesotaNov. 3, 2026Nov. 2, 2026Nov. 2, 2026Nov. 2, 2026ReceivedSource
MississippiNov. 3, 2026Source
MissouriNov. 3, 2026Nov. 2, 2026Oct. 21, 2026Oct. 21, 2026ReceivedSource
MontanaNov. 3, 2026Nov. 2, 2026Nov. 2, 2026ReceivedSource
NebraskaNov. 3, 2026Oct. 23, 2026Oct. 23, 2026ReceivedSource
NevadaNov. 3, 2026All mailAll mailAll mailSource
New HampshireNov. 3, 2026Nov. 2, 2026Nov. 2, 2026ReceivedSource
New JerseyNov. 3, 2026Nov. 2, 2026Oct. 27, 2026Oct. 27, 2026ReceivedSource
New MexicoNov. 3, 2026Oct. 20, 2026Oct. 20, 2026Oct. 20, 2026ReceivedSource
New YorkNov. 3, 2026Nov. 2, 2026Oct. 24, 2026Oct. 24, 2026ReceivedSource
North CarolinaNov. 3, 2026Oct. 20, 2026Oct. 20, 2026Oct. 20, 2026ReceivedSource
North DakotaNov. 3, 2026Nov. 3, 2026Source
OhioNov. 3, 2026Oct. 27, 2026Oct. 27, 2026ReceivedSource
OklahomaNov. 3, 2026Oct. 19, 2026Oct. 19, 2026Oct. 19, 2026ReceivedSource
OregonNov. 3, 2026All mailAll mailAll mailSource
PennsylvaniaNov. 3, 2026Oct. 27, 2026Oct. 27, 2026Oct. 27, 2026ReceivedSource
Rhode IslandNov. 3, 2026Oct. 13, 2026Oct. 13, 2026Oct. 13, 2026ReceivedSource
South CarolinaNov. 3, 2026Oct. 23, 2026Oct. 23, 2026ReceivedSource
South DakotaNov. 3, 2026Nov. 2, 2026Nov. 2, 2026ReceivedSource
TennesseeNov. 3, 2026Oct. 24, 2026Oct. 24, 2026Oct. 24, 2026ReceivedSource
TexasNov. 3, 2026Oct. 23, 2026Oct. 23, 2026ReceivedSource
UtahNov. 3, 2026All mailAll mailAll mailSource
VermontNov. 3, 2026All mailAll mailAll mailSource
VirginiaApril 21, 2026April 10, 2026April 10, 2026April 10, 2026ReceivedSource
VirginiaNov. 3, 2026Oct. 23, 2026Oct. 23, 2026Oct. 23, 2026ReceivedSource
WashingtonNov. 3, 2026All mailAll mailAll mailSource
West VirginiaNov. 3, 2026Oct. 28, 2026Oct. 28, 2026Oct. 28, 2026ReceivedSource
WisconsinApril 7, 2026April 5, 2026April 2, 2026April 2, 2026ReceivedSource
WisconsinNov. 3, 2026Nov. 1, 2026Oct. 30, 2026Oct. 30, 2026ReceivedSource
WyomingNov. 3, 2026Nov. 2, 2026Nov. 2, 2026ReceivedSource


Absentee/mail-in voting procedures by state

See also: Absentee/mail-in voting

The map and table below summarizes existing statutory absentee/mail-in voting procedures in the states.

Absentee/mail-in voting procedures by state
StateAbsentee/mail-in voting typeDescription
AlabamaRequest-required absentee/mail-in votingExcuse required.
AlaskaRequest-required absentee/mail-in votingNo excuse required.
ArizonaRequest-required absentee/mail-in votingNo excuse required.
ArkansasRequest-required absentee/mail-in votingExcuse required.
CaliforniaAutomatic mail-in votingEvery voter receives a mail-in ballot by default.
ColoradoAutomatic mail-in votingEvery voter receives a mail-in ballot by default.
ConnecticutRequest-required absentee/mail-in votingExcuse required.[3]
DelawareRequest-required absentee/mail-in votingExcuse required.
FloridaRequest-required absentee/mail-in votingNo excuse required.
GeorgiaRequest-required absentee/mail-in votingNo excuse required.
HawaiiAutomatic mail-in votingEvery voter receives a mail-in ballot by default.
IdahoRequest-required absentee/mail-in votingNo excuse required.
IllinoisRequest-required absentee/mail-in votingNo excuse required.
IndianaRequest-required absentee/mail-in votingExcuse required.
IowaRequest-required absentee/mail-in votingNo excuse required.
KansasRequest-required absentee/mail-in votingNo excuse required.
KentuckyRequest-required absentee/mail-in votingExcuse required.
LouisianaRequest-required absentee/mail-in votingExcuse required.
MaineRequest-required absentee/mail-in votingNo excuse required.
MarylandRequest-required absentee/mail-in votingNo excuse required.
MassachusettsRequest-required absentee/mail-in votingNo excuse required.
MichiganRequest-required absentee/mail-in votingNo excuse required.
MinnesotaRequest-required absentee/mail-in votingNo excuse required.
MississippiRequest-required absentee/mail-in votingExcuse required.
MissouriRequest-required absentee/mail-in votingExcuse required.
MontanaRequest-required absentee/mail-in votingNo excuse required.
NebraskaRequest-required absentee/mail-in votingNo excuse required.
NevadaAutomatic mail-in votingEvery voter receives a mail-in ballot by default.
New HampshireRequest-required absentee/mail-in votingExcuse required.
New JerseyRequest-required absentee/mail-in votingNo excuse required.
New MexicoRequest-required absentee/mail-in votingNo excuse required.
New YorkRequest-required absentee/mail-in votingNo excuse required.
North CarolinaRequest-required absentee/mail-in votingNo excuse required.
North DakotaRequest-required absentee/mail-in votingNo excuse required.
OhioRequest-required absentee/mail-in votingNo excuse required.
OklahomaRequest-required absentee/mail-in votingNo excuse required.
OregonAutomatic mail-in votingEvery voter receives a mail-in ballot by default.
PennsylvaniaRequest-required absentee/mail-in votingNo excuse required.
Rhode IslandRequest-required absentee/mail-in votingNo excuse required.
South CarolinaRequest-required absentee/mail-in votingExcuse required.
South DakotaRequest-required absentee/mail-in votingNo excuse required.
TennesseeRequest-required absentee/mail-in votingExcuse required.
TexasRequest-required absentee/mail-in votingExcuse required.
UtahAutomatic mail-in votingEvery voter receives a mail-in ballot by default.
VermontAutomatic mail-in voting (general elections only)Every voter receives a mail-in ballot by default.
VirginiaRequest-required absentee/mail-in votingNo excuse required.
WashingtonAutomatic mail-in votingEvery voter receives a mail-in ballot by default.
West VirginiaRequest-required absentee/mail-in votingExcuse required.
WisconsinRequest-required absentee/mail-in votingNo excuse required.
WyomingRequest-required absentee/mail-in votingNo excuse required.

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See also

Footnotes

  1. ↑ National Conference of State Legislatures, "Absentee and Early Voting," August 1, 2025
  2. ↑ We use the term "absentee/mail-in voting" to describe systems in which requests or applications are required. We use the term "all-mail voting" to denote systems where the ballots themselves are sent automatically to all voters. We use the hyphenate term for absentee voting because some states use “mail voting” (or a similar alternative) to describe what has traditionally been called "absentee voting."
  3. ↑ In November 2024, voters approved a constitutional amendment authorizing the Connecticut State Legislature to provide by law for no-excuse absentee voting. As of October 2025, the legislature has not passed legislation to implement the change.
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