Cure period for absentee and mail-in ballots, 2020

This article covers subjects specific to the 2020 general election. It has not been updated to reflect subsequent developments.
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Absentee/mail-in ballots must meet a variety of state requirements to be verified and counted. In the 2020 election, all 50 states required voters to provide valid signatures on their absentee/mail-in ballot return documents. Thirty-two of these required election workers to match a voter's signature on ballot return documents with the signature on record for that voter.

In the event that a ballot was missing a signature or there was a discrepancy in signature matching, nineteen states required officials to notify voters and allow them to correct signature errors through a process called ballot curing. Ballot curing is a two-part process that involving notification and correction.

This article lists state laws on ballot curing in the 19 states that enforced ballot curing provisions in the 2020 election.

Overview of states with ballot curing provisions

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

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."