Ballot curing rules by state, 2020

2022 »

This article covers subjects specific to the 2020 general election. It has not been updated to reflect subsequent developments.
Click here for more information about our 2020 election coverage.

Ballotpedia's 2020 Election Help Desk

Use the buttons below to see Help Desk hubs for other years. 2022 »

Disputed results Presidential election lawsuits and recounts Post-election lawsuits

Frequently asked questions General questions Presidential election Processing/counting mail ballots Results and certification Disputing results • Officeholder transitions

Absentee/mail-in voting analysis Mail-in voting by state, 2016-2018 Mail-in rejection by state, 2016-2018 Uncalled races, 2018 When can states begin counting? Processing, counting, and challenging ballots

Voting in 2020 Absentee/mail-in voting • Early voting • Voter ID Poll opening and closing times Recount laws by state Recount margin requirements by state U.S. Supreme Court actions

Elections by state AlabamaAlaskaArizonaArkansasCaliforniaColoradoConnecticutDelawareFloridaGeorgiaHawaiiIdahoIllinoisIndianaIowaKansasKentuckyLouisianaMaineMarylandMassachusettsMichiganMinnesotaMississippiMissouriMontanaNebraskaNevadaNew HampshireNew JerseyNew MexicoNew YorkNorth CarolinaNorth DakotaOhioOklahomaOregonPennsylvaniaRhode IslandSouth CarolinaSouth DakotaTennesseeTexasUtahVermontVirginiaWashingtonWest VirginiaWisconsinWyomingSubmit

When a voter votes in-person, election officials commonly determine his or her eligibility at the polling place. When a voter submits an absentee/mail-in ballot, election officials must verify a signature in order to determine the voter's identity and eligibility to vote.

In some states, errors like a missing or mismatched signature result in an absentee/mail-in ballot's immediate rejection. Other states allow for ballot curing, which is a method by which voters can attempt to correct such errors.

On this page you will find:

• A brief explanation of ballot curing
• An overview of ballot curing procedures during the 2020 election
• Links to related articles discussing ballot curing in 2020

Definition

See also: Cure period for absentee and mail-in ballots

States that allow ballot curing often require election officials to notify voters if they encounter an error while processing his or her absentee/mail-in ballot.

According to the U.S. Election Assistance Commission, "A daily system for 'curing' involves sending out a letter and blank affidavit describing the reason the voter's ballot has been rejected and how they can 'cure' or remedy the situation. This often requires the voter to mail back the signed affidavit along with a copy of some form of valid identification. Some states use both a letter and an email to ensure the voter knows to take additional steps to ensure his or her ballot is counted."

If a voter participates in the curing process and delivers the required materials to election officials, those officials then begin to re-process the absentee/mail-in ballot with the additional information. If election officials can then verify the identity and eligibility of the voter, they can count his or her ballot.

Ballot curing in 2020

See also: Processing, counting, and challenging absentee/mail-in ballots in the states, 2020

Thirty-two states require election workers to match a voter's signature on absentee/mail-in ballot return documents with the signature on record for that voter. Eighteen states require officials to notify voters and allow voters to correct signature errors through the ballot curing process.

The map below shows the 19 states that enforced ballot curing provisions in the 2020 election:

Click "Show more" below to view the ballot curing procedures for each of the states highlighted on the map above.

Show more

Arizona

Notification

As of the 2020 general election, Arizona law said, "Election officials shall make reasonable efforts to contact the voter, advise the voter of the inconsistent signature, and allow the voter to correct or the county to confirm the inconsistent signature."

Correction

As of the 2020 general election, Arizona law said, "Voters have until the fifth business day after an election to correct a signature."

California

Notification

As of the 2020 general election, California law said, "Voters of ballots with mismatching signatures are notified a minimum of eight days prior to certification of the election."

Correction

As of the 2020 general election, California law said, "Voters have until 5 p.m. two days prior to certification of the election to provide a signature verification statement in person. If a voter fails to sign the absentee ballot envelope, they have until 5 p.m. on the eighth day after the election to submit an unsigned ballot statement."

Colorado

Notification

As of the 2020 general election, Colorado law said, "Voters of ballots with missing/mismatching signatures are notified by mail within three days (or within two days after the election) of any discrepancy."

Correction

As of the 2020 general election, Colorado law said, "A confirmation form accompanying the letter must be returned to the county clerk and recorder within eight days after Election Day to count."

Florida

Notification

As of the 2020 general election, Florida law said, "County election supervisors shall notify any voter whose signature is missing or doesn’t match records."

Correction

As of the 2020 general election, Florida law said, "Voters may cure ballots until 5 p.m. on the second day after the election."

Georgia

Notification

As of the 2020 general election, Georgia law said, "If ballot is rejected, the voter is promptly notified of rejection."

Correction

As of the 2020 general election, Georgia law said, "The voter then has until 3 days after the election to submit voter ID in conjunction with an affidavit confirming the ballot was in fact theirs in order to cure the ballot."

Hawaii

Notification

As of the 2020 general election, Hawaii law said, "Local election officials shall make an attempt to notify the voter by first-class mail, telephone or electronic mail to inform the voter of the procedure to correct the deficiency."

Correction

As of the 2020 general election, Hawaii law said, "The voter shall have five business days after the date of the election to cure the deficiency."

Illinois

Notification

As of the 2020 general election, Illinois law said, "Voters are notified by mail of rejected ballot within two days of rejection."

Correction

As of the 2020 general election, Illinois law said, "Voters have until 14 days after election to resolve issue with county election authority."

Iowa

Notification

As of the 2020 general election, Iowa law said, "If a ballot affidavit is incomplete or absent, the commissioner must notify the voter within 24 hours."

Correction

As of the 2020 general election, Iowa law said, "A voter may vote a replacement ballot until the day before the election or vote at the voter’s precinct polling place."

Massachusetts

Notification

As of the 2020 general election, Massachusetts law said, "Prior to Election Day, the voter is notified and, if sufficient time allows, sent a new ballot if an affidavit signature is absent or the ballot is rejected for other reasons."

Correction

As of the 2020 general election, Massachusetts law said, "Voter can submit a new absentee ballot."

Minnesota

Notification

As of the 2020 general election, Minnesota law said, "If a ballot is rejected more than five days before Election Day a replacement ballot is mailed; if rejected within five days, election officials must contact the voter via telephone or email to provide options for voting a replacement ballot."

Correction

As of the 2020 general election, Minnesota law said, "Voter can request a replacement absentee ballot."

Montana

Notification

As of the 2020 general election, Montana law said, "Election administrators shall notify voters of missing or mismatched signatures."

Correction

As of the 2020 general election, Montana law said," Voters have until 8 p.m. on Election Day to cure their ballot."

Nevada

Notification

As of the 2020 general election, Nevada law said, "Local election officials shall notify voters of missing or mismatched signatures."

Correction

As of the 2020 general election, Nevada law said, "Voters have until the seventh day after the election to resolve the issue."

New Jersey

Notification

As of the 2020 general election, New Jersey law said, "Within 24 hours after a ballot is rejected, county board of election must issue a cure letter informing voter of the rejection."

Correction

As of the 2020 general election, New Jersey law said, "The voter may cure the deficiency by completing a cure form and returning to county board of election not later than 48 hours prior to final certification of election results."

North Carolina

Notification

As of November 9, 2020, guidance from the North Carolina State Board of Elections said, "County boards of elections will contact voters when there are deficiencies with their absentee ballot. You should provide your phone number or email address on the request form in case the county board needs to contact you. The State Board encourages voters to carefully read and follow the instructions that come with the ballot. The State Board also encourages voters to request and return their absentee ballot as early as possible to ensure time remains to correct any issues. If an issue arises and the voter is unable to successfully cast an absentee ballot, that voter may still vote during the in-person early voting period or on Election Day."

Ohio

Notification

As of the 2020 general election, Ohio law said, "Notice is mailed to voters whose ballots were rejected."

Correction

As of the 2020 general election, Ohio law said, "Voters have until the seventh day after the election to resolve issue."

Oregon

Notification

As of the 2020 general election, Oregon law said, "County clerks notify voters by mail of any signature absence or discrepancy."

Correction

As of the 2020 general election, Oregon law said, "Voters must complete and return the certified statement accompanying the notice by the 14th day after the election for their ballot to count."

Rhode Island

Notification

As of the 2020 general election, Rhode law said, "Local board of canvassers is responsible for notifying voters by mail, email or phone."

Correction

As of the 2020 general election, Rhode law said, "Voters have until seven days after Election Day to correct a deficiency."

Utah

Notification

As of the 2020 general election, Utah law said, "Election officials notify voters of ballot rejection in one to two business days if rejected before Election Day; seven days if rejected on Election Day; and seven days if rejected between Election Day and the end of official canvas."

Correction

As of the 2020 general election, Utah law said, "Voters must sign a new affidavit statement provided by the clerk’s office and return by 5 p.m. the day before the official canvass (seven-14 days after Election Day)."

Washington

Notification

As of the 2020 general election, Washington law said, "Voters notified by mail of rejected ballots due to missing/mismatching signature statements."

Correction

As of the 2020 general election, Washington law said, "Voter must sign and return a curing statement before election certification (21 days after Election Day). Three days before certification, county auditors must attempt to contact by phone any voters with outstanding ballots to be cured."

Next article: Analysis of rejected ballots, 2020

The 2020 election took place against a backdrop of uncertainty. Our readers had questions about what to expect in elections at all levels of government, from the casting of ballots to the certification of final results. Ballotpedia's 2020 Election Help Desk was designed to answer those questions.

More frequently asked questions about the 2020 election

Click on a question below to read the answer:

• General election information
  • Who runs elections in the United States?
  • Why do states have different election rules?
  • What methods do states use to prevent election fraud?
  • Do you have to vote for everything on your ballot?
  • What happens if you mark outside the lines or use the wrong pen/pencil?
  • What is a spoiled ballot?
  • What is a write-in candidate?
  • How can I check the status of my ballot?
  • Can I take a ballot selfie?

• Presidential election
  • What happens if a presidential candidate declares victory in the 2020 election before results are final?
  • Can presidential candidates win the election if they have already conceded?
  • What are the steps and deadlines for electing the President of the United States?
  • What happens if there is a tie in the Electoral College?
  • What are faithless electors in the Electoral College?
  • What happens if a presidential nominee becomes incapacitated before the election?
  • Can members of Congress object to Electoral College results?

• Processing and counting absentee/mail-in ballots
  • What is the life cycle of an absentee/mail-in ballot?
  • What happens if I vote by mail and want to change my ballot at a later date?
  • What happens if someone votes by mail and then tries to vote in person?
  • How do states protect and verify absentee/mail-in ballots?
  • How do election workers match signatures?
  • Are results reported on election night coming from in-person or absentee/mail-in votes?
  • Do states report how many mail-in/absentee ballots are outstanding on election night?
  • Do absentee/mail-in ballots take longer to count than in-person ballots?
  • What happens if someone votes by mail-in ballot or absentee ballot and subsequently passes away before Election Day?

• Disputing election results
  • How will election recounts work?
  • How close does an election have to be to trigger an automatic recount?
  • Can a candidate or voter request a recount?
  • Who pays for recounts and contested elections?
  • What are poll watchers?
  • What does it mean to challenge a voter's eligibility, and who can do it?
  • What is a redo election?
  • Who can file election-related lawsuits?
  • What are the reasons to call a redo election?
  • Who can call a redo election?
  • Can a redo be held for a presidential election?

• Election result reporting and certification
  • What happens if candidates declare victory in the 2020 election before results are final?
  • Can candidates win an election if they have already conceded?
  • How and when are election results finalized?
  • How do major media outlets declare winners?

• Transitions of power and taking office
  • Who is the president if election results are unknown by January 20, 2021?
  • Who serves in Congress if election results are unknown by January 2021?
  • Who serves in a state or local government if election results are unknown?
  • What happens if the winning presidential candidate becomes incapacitated before taking office?

• Articles about potential scenarios in the 2020 election
• U.S. Supreme Court actions affecting the November 3, 2020, general election

See also

• Cure period for absentee and mail-in ballots
• Do absentee/mail-in ballots take longer to count than in-person ballots? (2020)
• Life cycle of an absentee/mail-in ballot (2020)
• Processing, counting, and challenging absentee/mail-in ballots in the states, 2020

Additional reading

• lifehacker, "How Can a Rejected Ballot be ‘Cured’?"
• NPR, "Race For A (Ballot) Cure: The Scramble To Fix Absentee-Ballot Problems"
• Los Angeles Times, "‘Ripe for error’: Ballot signature verification is flawed — and a big factor in the election"