Your feedback ensures we stay focused on the facts that matter to you most—take our survey
All-mail voting
From Ballotpedia
(Redirected from Mail-in)
|
|
 |
| Select a state from the menu below to learn more about its election administration. |
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] |
Explore election legislation with Ballotpedia
Try Ballotpedia's Election Administration Legislation TrackerBallotpedia's Election Administration Legislation Tracker provides daily updates on legislative activity related to election policy in all 50 states.
Our election policy experts translate complex bill text into easy-to-understand summaries. And because it's from Ballotpedia, our legislation tracker is guaranteed to be neutral, unbiased, and nonpartisan.
Read Ballotpedia's State of Election Administration Legislation ReportsBallotpedia publishes regular analysis of election administration legislation, including three full reports per year, providing ongoing coverage of legislative activity affecting election policy in each state.
These reports deliver insights into partisan priorities, dive deep into notable trends, and highlight activity in key states.
Subscribe to The Ballot BulletinThe Ballot Bulletin is a weekly email that delivers the latest updates on election policy.
The newsletter tracks developments in election policy around the country, including legislative activity, big-picture trends, and recent news. Each email contains in-depth data from our Election Administration Legislation Tracker.
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
