All-mail voting
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Eight states – California, Colorado, Hawaii, Nevada, Oregon, Utah, Vermont, and Washington – conduct what are commonly referred to as all-mail, or universal mail-in elections. In these states, voting is conducted primarily, although not necessarily exclusively, by mail. This article addresses the utilization of all-mail elections in the United States. See the sections below for additional information.[1]
Note: Starting in 2029, Utah will require voters to request an absentee/mail-in ballot. Click here for more information.
Background
Every state provides for some method whereby voters can cast ballots without visiting a physical polling place. The terms absentee voting, voting by mail, all-mail voting, or voting from home are sometimes used to describe these methods, which can be divided into two categories: automatic mail-in ballot systems and request-required mail-in ballot systems.
Automatic mail-in ballot systems
Automatic mail-in ballot systems mandate that all eligible voters receive either a ballot or ballot application by default. These are sometimes referred to as all-mail voting systems. Access to mail-in voting is not restricted to voters meeting certain eligibility criteria.
- Automatic mail-in ballots: Officials automatically transmit mail-in ballots to all eligible voters. Voters may return these ballots by mail or by using designated deposit sites. Limited in-person voting is generally available, although the number of polling sites and terms of accessibility vary from state to state.
- Automatic mail-in ballot applications: Officials automatically transmit mail-in ballot applications to all eligible voters. A voter must in turn submit a completed application in order to receive a ballot. The voter then returns the completed ballot by mail or by using designated deposit sites. In-person voting is widely available, but it is not necessarily the dominant means by which voters cast their ballots.
Request-required mail-in ballot systems
Request-required mail-in ballot systems require that eligible voters initiate the process for receiving, and casting, mail-in ballots. These have traditionally been described as absentee voting systems. Access to mail-in voting may be restricted to voters meeting certain eligibility criteria.
- No excuse required: Any voter may request a mail-in ballot. Generally, a voter must first submit an application in order to receive a ballot. The voter may then return the completed ballot by mail or by using a designated deposit site. In-person voting is dominant.
- Excuse required: A voter must meet eligibility criteria in order to qualify for a mail-in ballot. Generally, a voter must first submit an application in order to receive a ballot. The voter may then return the completed ballot by mail or by using a designated deposit site. In-person voting is dominant.
States with automatic mail-in ballot systems
The map and table below detail those states that have implemented automatic mail-in ballot systems.
| Automatic mail-in ballot systems | ||
|---|---|---|
| State | Automatic mail-in ballot system type | Description |
| California | Automatic mail-in ballot | Every voter receives a mail-in ballot by default. Voters may submit completed ballots by mail or deposit them at designated drop-boxes and drop sites. In-person voting booths are also available.[2] |
| Colorado | Automatic mail-in ballot | Every voter receives a mail-in ballot by default. Voters may submit completed ballots by mail or deposit them at designated drop-boxes and drop-off locations. In-person voting is available to all voters at designated voter service and polling centers.[3] |
| Hawaii | Automatic mail-in ballot | Every voter receives a mail-in ballot by default. Voters may submit completed ballots by mail or deposit them at designated drop sites, voter service centers, or clerk's offices. In-person voting is available to all voters at designated voter service centers.[4] |
| Nevada | Automatic mail-in ballot | Every voter receives a mail-in ballot by default. Voters may submit completed ballots by mail or deposit them at designated drop-boxes and drop sites. In-person voting booths are also available.[5] |
| Oregon | Automatic mail-in ballot | Every voter receives a mail-in ballot by default. Voters may submit completed ballots by mail or deposit them at designated drop-boxes and drop sites. In-person voting booths are also available.[6] |
| Utah | Automatic mail-in ballot | Every voter receives a mail-in ballot by default. Voters may submit completed ballots by mail or deposit them at designated drop sites and polling locations. In-person voting is available to all voters at designated polling locations. Starting in 2029, Utah will require voters to request an absentee/mail-in ballot. Click here for more information.[7] |
| Vermont | Automatic mail-in ballot | Every voter receives a mail-in ballot by default in general elections. Voters may submit completed ballots by mail or deposit them at designated drop sites. In-person voting is also available.[8] |
| Washington | Automatic mail-in ballot | Every voter receives a mail-in ballot by default. Voters may submit completed ballots by mail or deposit them at designated drop sites. In-person voting is available to all voters at designated voting centers.[9] |
| Washington, D.C. | Automatic mail-in ballot | Every voter receives a mail-in ballot by default. Voters may submit completed ballots by mail or deposit them at designated drop sites. In-person voting is available to all voters at designated voting centers.[10] |
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See also
- Absentee/mail-in voting
- Ballotpedia's elections calendar
- Changes to vote-by-mail and absentee voting procedures in response to the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, 2020
Footnotes
- ↑ 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."
- ↑ California Legislative Information, "Elections Code - ELEC DIVISION 3. VOTE BY MAIL VOTING, NEW RESIDENT, AND NEW CITIZEN VOTING (3000 - 3503)," accessed January 22, 2024
- ↑ Colorado Secretary of State, "Mail-in Ballots FAQs," accessed January 22, 2024
- ↑ Hawaii Office of Elections, "Hawaii Votes by Mail," accessed January 22, 2024
- ↑ Nevada Legislature, " NRS 293.269911 Preparation and distribution of mail ballots; exceptions; mail ballot contents; time for distribution; mootness of untimely legal action which would prevent distribution." accessed January 22, 2024
- ↑ Oregon Secretary of State, "Vote by Mail Procedures Manual," accessed January 22, 2024
- ↑ Vote.Utah.gov, "Learn about voting by mail," accessed January 22, 2024
- ↑ Vermont General Assembly, "17 V.S.A. § 2537a," accessed January 22, 2024
- ↑ Washington Secretary of State, "Frequently Asked Questions on Voting by Mail," accessed January 22, 2024
- ↑ District of Columbia Board of Elections, "Casting your Vote," accessed January 22, 2024
