Timelines related to absentee/mail-in ballot processing and counting

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The steps required to count votes cast by absentee/mail-in ballots differ from those required to count votes cast in-person.

In general, there are two phases in the process of counting absentee/mail-in ballots common to each state: processing and counting. Each state describes the actions taken during these phases differently. Some states recognize a third phase, tabulation, as independent from the other two phases. Others consider the work of tabulation as part of processing or counting. For more information on these definitions, click here.

How state law defines these phases and when laws permit election officials to begin each phase affect the time it takes for officials to deliver election results.

This page provides information about the different approaches that states take, including the different definitions of processing, tabulation, and counting, and the specific or general timelines for election officials in each state.

Explore the topics below for detailed information:

General considerations

State laws prescribe when election officials can begin processing absentee/mail-in ballots, what activities are allowed during processing, when election officials can begin counting these ballots, and, in some instances, a deadline by which election officials must complete counting ballots. In some states, laws require election officials to complete certain actions weeks before Election Day. In others, laws prohibit election officials from taking any action with these ballots until Election Day.

Some states equate tabulation to scanning ballots, while others more narrowly define tabulation as producing results from previously scanned or processed ballots. Laws in many states also leave the term tabulation undefined, in theory allowing for interpretation by state or local election officials. Under all possible definitions of tabulation, individual states may consider it as either part of the processing, or part of the counting phase for absentee/mail-in ballots.

The receipt deadline for absentee/mail-in ballots also affects the time frame when election officials can complete the work of processing and counting. Although most states require voters to return ballots by Election Day, in states where ballots may be counted if received later than the day of the election, the work of processing and counting such ballots will necessarily not begin until after the election regardless of when state law permits or requires officials to begin those steps.

A general chronology of how these steps occur is:

State laws that permit or require actions in the lead-up to an election may reduce the workload for election administrators on or after Election Day, but may increase resource requirements in advance of the election.[1] Taking certain steps before Election Day may help voters to correct issues with a voted ballot in states with cure provisions. Providing deadlines to complete counting absentee/mail-in ballots may contribute to earlier delivery of unofficial results, but may increase resource demands on election administrators or limit the opportunity to review or adjudicate discrepancies in mailed ballots.[2][3] Allowing election officials to count ballots that arrive after Election Day may ensure more voters have an opportunity to cast a ballot, but may increase the resources required to count ballots and slow down the delivery of results.[4][5]

Processing

Processing refers to the administrative steps required to prepare ballots for tabulation. Election officials in every state must process absentee/mail-in ballots before counting them. However, laws vary with regard to when processing can begin, what steps are considered part of processing, and what actions election officials may complete during the processing period.[6]

Processing activities may include steps such as verifying the ballot is in the appropriate envelope, comparing signatures or identification numbers on ballots to those in a voter's file, removing ballots from secrecy sleeves or outer envelopes, organizing ballots for tabulation or scanning, and scanning or tabulating ballots without disclosing results.[7][1]

Some states that verify voter's signatures or eligibility do not consider this as part of processing. For the purposes of this article, processing is considered to be any step taken by an election official to prepare a ballot for inclusion in unofficial election results, including signature and eligibility verification.

HIGHLIGHTS
As of June 2025:
  • Nineteen states permit election officials to fully process and scan at least some early and absentee/mail-in ballots before Election Day.
  • Twenty-six and D.C. states permit election officials process at least some aspects of absentee/mail-in ballots before Election Day.
  • Five states do not permit election officials to begin processing any aspect of absentee/mail-in ballots until Election Day.


    • The chart below shows the breakdown of when states allow election officials to begin processing ballots relative to Election Day. States that do not specify a date when processing can begin are not included:



    The map below shows which states can begin processing activities before Election Day. Full processing includes scanning or tabulating ballots:


    The table below includes the date when state law says that processing can begin, the administrative steps election officials may complete as part of processing, and the chapter of statute where this information is found. Note that many in many states, state law does not specify a date, but instead allows processing to begin upon receipt of a ballot.

    Processing of Absentee/Mail-In Ballots
    State When Processing Can Begin Activities permitted during processing Source
    Alabama 7 a.m. on Election Day. Full processing except for tabulation. Alabama Code § 17-11-10
    Alaska No start date specified but must begin no later than the 7th day before Election Day. Review of voter certificates. Alaska Stat. § 15.20.201
    Arizona Upon receipt. Full processing including tabulation. State law prohibits election officials from accessing the results of tabulation before Election Day. Arizona Rev. Stat. § 16-550
    Arkansas Seven days before Election Day. Opening of outer envelope and review of information included on outer envelope. Arkansas Code Ann. § 7-5-416
    California Twenty-nine days before Election Day. Full processing including scanning, but no vote county may be accessed or released until 8 p.m. on Election Day. California Elec. Code § 15101
    Colorado Upon receipt. Full processing except tabulation. Colorado Rev. Stat. 1-7.5-107.5
    Connecticut At the discretion of the local registrar of voters. State law says the secretary must provide a manual that, "shall include a description of the steps to be followed in receiving, handling, counting and preserving absentee ballots."[8] As of June 2025, that manual said, "During the week before the election, primary or referendum, the town clerk may sort the absentee ballots received into voting districts, provided such ballots shall be sorted into voting districts not later than the last day before the election, primary, or referendum which is not a Sunday or legal holiday. The registrar(s) may check, daily during this same period, the names of the absentee electors on the official check list."[9] Connecticut Gen. Stat. § 9-150a
    D.C. Before Election Day but exact timing not specified. Full processing except tabulation. District of Columbia Mun. Regs. § 3-808
    Delaware Thirty days before Election Day. Full processing including scanning, but no vote count may be "extracted or reported before the polls have closed on the day of the election."[10] Delaware Code. Ann. Title 15 § 5510
    Florida Upon receipt. Full processing. Florida Stat. § 101.68
    Georgia Upon receipt, officials may conduct verification of ID number, voter's date of birth, and oath signature conducted. Further processing can begin at 8 a.m. on the third Monday before Election Day. Full processing including scanning, but not tabulation. Georgia Code § 21-2-386
    Hawaii Eighteen days before Election Day. Full processing including tabulation. No results may be released until the close of polls on Election Day. Hawaii Rev. Stat. §  15-9, and § 11-108
    Idaho Signature verification conducted upon receipt. Further processing can begin at the open of polls on the day of the election or primary. Ballots are not opened until after the close of polls on Election Day. Only verification of signatures may occur before Election Day. Idaho Code § 34-1005, § 34-1007, and § 34-1008
    Illinois Upon receipt. Full processing except tabulation. 10 Illinois Comp. Stat. 5/19-8
    Indiana Upon receipt. Full processing except tabulation. Indiana Code 3-11.5-4-11, and 3-11.5-4-12
    Iowa The day before Election Day if directed by the county commissioner of elections to do so. Review of voter's affidavit and removal of secrecy envelope. Ballots may not be opened until Election Day. Iowa Code § 52.23
    Kansas Prior to Election Day, but state law does not specify an exact time. State law does not specify processing activities, but requires election officials to verify the eligibility of the advance ballot. Kansas Stat. Ann. § 24-1134, and § 24-1135
    Kentucky Permitted to begin 14 days before Election Day and required to begin by 8 a.m. on Election Day. Verification of voter's eligibility and signature. Ballots may not be opened until Election Day. Kentucky Rev. Stat § 117.087
    Louisiana Permitted to begin three days before Election Day with written approval from the secretary of state. Otherwise, the day before the election. Parishes with fewer than 1,000 voters may not begin processing until Election Day. Full processing, including tabulation. It is prohibited to release results before the close of polls. Louisiana Stat. Ann. §18:1313, and §18:1313.1
    Maine Seven days before Election Day if the clerk gives notice of processing times at least 30 days before the election. Full processing except counting. 21-A Maine Rev. Stat. § 759, §760-A, and § 760-B
    Maryland Upon receipt, local officials verify that the ballot includes the required oath. On the eighth business day before the start of early voting, further processing is required to begin, unless a local board has received a waiver from the state administrator of elections allowing them to start later. Full processing except tabulation. Maryland Election Code Ann. § 11-302 
    Massachusetts Signature verification upon receipt. State law says, "Any early voting ballot cast pursuant to this section may be opened and deposited into a tabulator in advance of the date of the preliminary, primary or election in accordance with regulations promulgated by the state secretary."[11] As of June 2025, this may begin as early as 9 days prior to Election Day.[12] Full processing including tabulation. Precincts that do not use a tabulator may not tabulate during processing. Massachusetts Gen. Laws Ann. ch. 54, § 25B
    Michigan Eight days before Election Day in jurisdictions with at least 5,000 people. The Monday before election day in all other jurisdictions. Full processing including tabulation. Michigan Comp. Laws §168.765(a)
    Minnesota Upon receipt, election officials verify the signature envelope. Further processing can begin on the 19th day before Election Day. Full processing except tabulation. Minnesota Stat. § 203B.121
    Mississippi At the open of polls on Election Day. Full processing except tabulation. Mississippi Code Ann. § 23-15-639
    Missouri Five days before Election Day. Full processing except tabulation. Missouri Rev. Stat. § 115.299, and § 115.300
    Montana Signature verification conducted upon receipt. Further processing may begin on the third business day before Election Day. Counties with fewer than 8,000 registered voter or 5,000 absentee electors at the close of regular registration may not begin processing until the day before the election. Full processing except tabulation. Montana Code Ann. § 13-13-241
    Nebraska Verification can begin the second Friday before Election Day. If approved, the envelope can be opened, the ballot unfolded and flattened and placed in a sealed container. Full processing except tabulation or scanning. Nebraska Rev. Stat. §32-1027
    Nevada Upon receipt. Signature verification conducted upon receipt. Further processing may start when the period to count mail ballots begins, 15 days before the election. Nevada Rev. Stat. § 293.269927
    New Hampshire As early as two hours after the opening of the polls, is posted and announced. Otherwise, at 1 p.m. on Election Day. Opening of outer envelope, verification of voter eligibility and properly executed affidavit. New Hampshire Rev. Stat. § 659:49, § 659:49b, and § 659:50
    New Jersey Signature verification conducted upon receipt. Further processing can begin on the fifth day before the election. Full processing, including tabulation beginning on the fifth day before the election. New Jersey Rev. Stat. § 19:63-17, and § 19:63-22
    New Mexico As early as two weeks before Election Day in a county where more officials have sent more than 10,000 absentee ballots for an election. Otherwise, five days before Election Day. Full processing including tabulation. New Mexico Stat. Ann. § 1-6-14
    New York Within four days of receipt. Full processing except tabulation. Ballots may be scanned the day before the first day of early voting. New York Elec. Law § 9-209
    North Carolina The fifth Tuesday before Election Day. Full processing including scanning. North Carolina Gen. Stat. § 163230.1, and § 163‑234
    North Dakota Three business days before Election Day. Full processing except tabulation. North Dakota Cent. Code § 16.1-07-12
    Ohio At the discretion of local boards of elections, exact timing not specified. Full processing, including scanning, but not tabulation. Ohio Rev. Code § 3509.06
    Oklahoma 10 a.m. on the Thursday before Election Day, or earlier if the secretary of the state election board gives written approval. Full processing not including scanning or tabulation. Oklahoma Stat. Ann. § 14-123, and § 14-125
    Oregon Upon receipt. Full processing including scanning. Oregon Rev. Stat. § 254.478
    Pennsylvania 7 a.m. on Election Day. Ballots that are received after this time may not be processed until the close of polls, at earliest, and must be processed no later than the third day after Election Day. Full processing including tabulation. 25 Pennsylvania Stat. § 3146.8
    Rhode Island Twenty days before Election Day. Full processing including tabulation. Rhode Island Gen. Laws § 17-20-26
    South Carolina 7 a.m. two days before Election Day. Verification of voter's oath and witness signatures. Removal of ballots from envelopes may not occur until Election Day. South Carolina Code Ann. § 7-15-420
    South Dakota On Election Day prior to the close of the polls. Full processing including tabulation. South Dakota Codified Laws § 12-19-43
    Tennessee Signature verification conducted upon receipt. Only signature verification. Tennessee Code Ann. § 2-6-202, and § 2-6-303
    Texas Signature and eligibility verification begins no more than 20 days before Election Day. Further processing may begin at the end of the early voting period. Full processing. Texas Election Code § 87.0241, § 87.027, and § 87.041
    Utah Before Election Day but state law does not specify exact timing. Full processing. Utah Code Ann. § 20A-3a-402
    Vermont 30 days before Election Day. Full processing, including placing ballots in tabulator machines. Machines may not be turned on until Election Day, 17 Vermont Stat. Ann. § 2546, § 2546a, and § 2546b
    Virginia Upon receipt. Full processing including depositing ballots in scanning machines. Verification of voter affirmation must occur upon receipt, but local registrars may wait to conduct further processing until no later than the 7th day before Election Day. Virginia Code Ann. § 24.2-709.1
    Washington Upon receipt. Full processing except tabulation. Washington Rev. Code §  29A.40.110
    West Virginia On Election Day. Full processing. West Virginia Code Ann. § 3-3-8
    Wisconsin After the polls open on Election Day. Full processing. Wisconsin Stat. § 6.88
    Wyoming The Thursday or Friday preceding Election Day if the county board of commissioners so chooses and the clerk notifies the secretary of state. Otherwise, on Election Day. Full processing except tabulation. Wyoming Stat § 22-9-121, and § 22-9-125


    As discussed above, some states consider scanning ballots to be part of processing, others as part of counting, while others consider scanning ballots as a unique step.[13] The chart below groups states by when law permits election officials to begin scanning ballots, regardless of whether considered as processing, counting, or neither:


    Counting

    Counting means the actual tabulation of votes (and processing ballots through tallying machines). Because states define counting differently, the administrative burden implicated by counting varies by state, and sometimes by the type of jurisdiction within a state. In states where election officials may scan or tabulate ballots before Election Day, tabulation may simply mean accessing the results of previously tabulated ballots, or initiating the process whereby tabulation machines tally previously scanned ballots. Elsewhere, counting may entail organizing, scanning, and tallying ballots. In states where at least some precincts hand count ballots, the rules and timelines for tallying may differ depending on the jurisdictions.[14][15]

    HIGHLIGHTS
    As of June 2025:
  • Eighteen states allowed counting to begin before Election Day.
  • Fifteen states permitted counting to begin before polls close on Election Day.
  • Seventeen states required counting to begin after polls close on Election Day.
  • One state—Connecticut—allowed the local registrar of voters to determine when ballots are counted.



    • Some states also provide a specific deadline by which election officials must complete the counting of absentee/mail-in ballots or otherwise certify the review of absentee/mail-in ballots. As of June 2025, six states specified a deadline. Thirteen states do not specify a completion deadline, but require election officials to continue counting on a predetermined scheduled until all ballots are counted. The remaining states and D.C. do not specify a deadline or schedule for completing the counting of absentee/mail-in ballots.

    The table below includes the date, and time if applicable, when state law says that election officials can begin counting absentee/mail-in ballots. It also includes the deadline to finish counting these ballots, if provided by state law,[16] and the chapters of statute where this information is found. Note that in each state where election officials can count absentee/mail-in ballots before Election Day, state law prohibits them from releasing the results before Election Day.

    Counting of Absentee/Mail-In Ballots
    State When Counting Can Begin Counting Deadline Source
    Alabama After the close of polls on Election Day. N/A Alabama Code § 17-11-10
    Alaska 8 p.m. on Election Day. State law says: "Not later than the 15th day following the day of the election, the district absentee ballot counting board shall certify the absentee ballot review." Alaska Stat. § 15.20.201
    Arizona Tallying can begin immediately after processing, but results may not be released before all precincts have reported or one hour after the close of polls on Election Day, whichever is earlier. Releasing information earlier is a felony. N/A Arizona Rev. Stat. § 16-550
    Arkansas 8:30 a.m. on Election Day, but results are not reported until after the polls close on Election Day. State law says: "Absentee and early votes shall be counted prior to the closing of the polls on election day" under § 7-5-416. Arkansas Code Ann. § 7-5-416
    California A vote count can be accessed or released at 8 p.m. on Election Day. There is no specific deadline to complete tabulation of mail ballots. State law does require a report on the number of outstanding unprocessed ballots on the second day after the election, and a daily report on these ballots beginning on the sixth day after the election. California Elec. Code § 15101, and § 15305
    Colorado Fifteen days before Election Day, but the count cannot be released until after 7 p.m. on Election Day. There is no specific deadline to complete counting mail ballots but state law says the process "shall continue until counting is completed."[17] Colorado Rev. Stat. § 1-7.5-107.5, and § 1-7.5-202
    Connecticut At the discretion of the local registrar of voters. There is no specific deadline to complete counting absentee ballots. State law says the secretary must provide a manual that, "shall include a description of the steps to be followed in receiving, handling, counting and preserving absentee ballots."[8] As of June 2025, the manual said, "Absentee ballots shall be delivered to the counting location at a time prescribed by the registrars of voters on election, primary, or referendum day," and, "When the absentee ballot count and canvass of the tabulators have been completed, the moderator must complete the appropriate Moderator's Returns."[9] Connecticut Gen. Stat. § 9-150a
    D.C. After the close of polls on Election Day. There is no specific deadline to complete counting mail-in ballots, but municipal regulations say, "All mail-in ballots received by the Board shall be tabulated as soon as practicable after the deadline for the receipt of mail-in ballots received by mail."[18] District of Columbia Mun. Regs. § 3-808
    Delaware Tabulation scanning can begin when processing is complete. N/A Delaware Code. Ann. Title 15 § 5510
    Florida Upon the completion of the public testing of automatic tabulating equipment (which begins not more than 25 days before early voting commences). Releasing the results early is a felony. Election officials must upload initial returns to their county’s election management system from early and absentee/mail-in voting ballots by 7 p.m. the day before the election, and must report complete results from these ballots by 7:30 p.m. on Election Day. They must deliver updated unofficial results every 45 minutes thereafter until results are complete. Florida Stat. § 101.68, § 101.5612, and § 102.141
    Georgia 7 a.m. on Election Day. Results may not be released until 7 p.m. on the day of the election. There is no specific deadline to complete counting absentee ballots, however state law requires election officials to release results from ballots received and processed by the Monday before an election by 8 p.m. on Election Day or within one hour of the closing of polls. State law also says, "the returns of verified and accepted absentee ballots cast are reported to the public as soon as possible following the closing of the polls on the day of the primary, election, or runoff."[19] Georgia Code § 21-2-386
    Hawaii Eighteen days before Election Day, but results cannot be disclosed until after the polls close on Election Day. State law says. "The initial tabulation of ballots shall be completed no later than 6:00 a.m. on the day following an election day."[20] Hawaii Rev. Stat. § 11-108
    Idaho After the polls close on Election Day. N/A Idaho Code § 34-1007, and § 34-1008
    Illinois After the polls close on Election Day. There is no specific deadline to complete counting mail voter's ballots, but state law says, " The counting shall continue until all vote by mail voters' ballots and special write-in vote by mail voter's blank ballots required to be counted on election day have been counted."[21] 10 Illinois Comp. Stat. 5/19-8
    Indiana Depending upon the county, 6 a.m. on Election Day or immediately after the electronic poll books used at each polling place or vote center have been updated to indicate the county received the absentee ballot. N/A Indiana Code 3-11.5-4-11, and 3-11.5-4-12
    Iowa On Election Day, at a time set by the county election commissioner to allow a reasonable amount of time to complete the count of absentee ballots by 10 p.m. on Election Day. The commissioner may also choose to convene the board the day before the election. There is no specific deadline to complete counting absentee ballots, but state law says, "the number of precinct election officials appointed to the board shall be sufficient to complete the counting of absentee ballots by 10:00 p.m. on election day."[22] Iowa Code § 52.23
    Kansas Ballots may be counted prior to Election Day, but final tabulation shall not be completed until Election Day. N/A Kansas Stat. Ann. § 24-1134, and § 24-1135
    Kentucky 8 a.m. on Election Day. Explicitly prohibits the release of results before 6 p.m. N/A Kentucky Rev. Stat § 117.087
    Louisiana Counting may begin before the polls close on Election Day, but no later than 8 p.m. on Election Day. N/A Louisiana Stat. Ann. §18:1313, and §18:1313.1
    Maine After the polls close on Election Day. N/A 21-A Maine Rev. Stat. § 759, §760-A, and § 760-B
    Maryland State law differentiates between "vote tallying" and "vote tabulation."[23] Vote tallying, the "recording of votes cast by individual voters on a certified voting system," may begin on the eighth business day before the start of early voting. Vote tabulation, "the aggregation of the votes cast by individual voters to produce vote totals," may not begin until the polls open on Election Day.[23] It is prohibited to release results until polls close. There is no specific deadline to complete counting absentee ballots. State law does require local boards of election to release a daily report on the unofficial results of absentee ballot tabulation beginning after the close of polls on Election Day. Maryland Election Code Ann. § 11-302 
    Massachusetts In precincts that use a tabulator, counting can begin as early as 9 days before Election Day.[24] N/A Massachusetts Gen. Laws Ann. ch. 54, § 25B
    Michigan Election officials can tabulate ballots during processing before Election Day, if authorized by the local board of election commissioners.[25] Otherwise, at 7 a.m. on Election Day. It is prohibited to access results before the close of polls on Election Day. N/A Michigan Comp. Laws §168.765(a).
    Minnesota After the close of polls on Election Day. N/A Minnesota Stat. § 203B.121
    Mississippi After the polls close on Election Day. N/A Mississippi Code Ann. § 23-15-639
    Missouri On Election Day. There is no specific deadline to complete the counting of absentee ballots, but state law says, "To count absentee votes on election day, the election authority shall appoint a sufficient number of teams of election judges comprised of an equal number of judges from each major political party."[26] Missouri Rev. Stat. § 115.299
    Montana One day before Election Day, if using a vote-counting machine. Tabulation using a manual count may not begin until Election Day. It is prohibited to release results before the close of polls on Election Day. N/A Montana Code Ann. § 13-13-241
    Nebraska Twenty-four hours before the opening of the polls. It is prohibited to release results until after polls close on Election Day. N/A Nebraska Rev. Stat. §32-1027
    Nevada Fifteen days before Election Day. Results may not be reported until the close of the polls. Counting must be complete by the seventh day after Election Day. Nevada Rev. Stat. § 293.269931
    New Hampshire After the close of polls on Election Day. N/A New Hampshire Rev. Stat. § 659:49
    New Jersey Five days before Election Day. It is prohibited to release results before polls close on Election Day. N/A New Jersey Rev. Stat.§19:63-22
    New Mexico Absentee ballots are inserted into vote-counting machines before Election Day, but votes are not counted until after the polls close. It is unlawful for a person to disclose the results of a count prior to the close of the polls or the deadline for receiving mailed ballots. There is no specific deadline to complete counting absentee ballots, but state law says, "An absent voter election board that recesses at 11:00 p.m. [on Election Day] shall continue its work only between the hours of 9:30 a.m. and 9:30 p.m. on each subsequent day until the board has completed its work."[27] New Mexico Stat. Ann. § 1-6-14
    New York One hour before the polls close on Election Day. It is prohibited to released results until after the close of polls. N/A New York Elec. Law § 9-209
    North Carolina 2 p.m. on Election Day if a resolution is adopted at least two weeks before the election to allow counting at this time. Otherwise, 5 p.m. It is prohibited to release results before 7:30 p.m. on Election Day. State law says, "No later than 5:00 P.M. on the third business day after the election, the county board shall announce the tally of all absentee ballots."[28] North Carolina Gen. Stat. § 163230.1, and § 163‑234
    North Dakota After the close of polls on Election Day. N/A North Dakota Cent. Code § 16.1-07-12
    Ohio Exact timing not specified, but may begin before the close of polls so long as no vote totals are released until thereafter, N/A Ohio Rev. Code § 3509.06
    Oklahoma On Election Day, or prior to Election Day if the secretary of the state election board gives written approval. It is prohibited to access a printout of election results earlier than 7 p.m. on Election Day. N/A Oklahoma Stat. Ann. § 14-123, and § 14-125
    Oregon If a counting board counts ballots, counting may begin on the day of the election. If a vote tallying system is used, an exact time is not specified, but it is prohibited to release results of a tally before 8 p.m. on Election Day. There is no specific deadline to complete the counting of mailed ballots, however, if counted by a counting board, state law says that, "after the tally has begun it shall continue until completed."[29] If the tallying process takes more than 12 hours than the counting board may be relieved by another board. Oregon Rev. Stat. § 254.478, § 254.485, and § 260.705
    Pennsylvania At 7 a.m. on Election Day. It is prohibited to record or release results before the close of polls. N/A 25 Pennsylvania Stat. § 3146.8
    Rhode Island The state board may begin tabulating ballots at 8 p.m. on Election Day. There is no specific deadline to complete the counting of mailed ballots, but state law says the state board, "shall continue and complete the tabulation with all reasonable expedition by using an optical scan count system."[30] Rhode Island Gen. Laws § 17-20-26
    South Carolina 7 a.m. on Election Day. It is prohibited to release results until after the polls close. N/A South Carolina Code Ann. § 7-15-420
    South Dakota After the polls close on Election Day. N/A South Dakota Codified Laws § 12-19-43, and § 12-19-46
    Tennessee After the polls open on Election Day but no later than four hours before polls close for general elections, or two hours before for all other elections. N/A Tennessee Code Ann. § 2-6-202, § 2-6-303, and § 2-6-304
    Texas At the end of the early in-person voting period in counties with more than 100,000 people. Otherwise, when polls open on Election Day. N/A Texas Election Code § 87.0241, § 87.027, and § 87.041
    Utah Counting may begin before Election Day but state law does not specify exact timing. It is prohibited to report results until after the close of polls on Election Day. N/A Utah Code Ann. § 20A-3a-402
    Vermont After the close of polls on Election Day. N/A 17 Vermont Stat. Ann. § 2546, § 2546a, and § 2546b
    Virginia After polls close on Election Day, but officials may insert ballots into counting machines prior to the close of polls. If a jurisdiction counts absentee ballots by hand, tallying may begin after noon on Election Day. It is prohibited to release vote counts until after the polls close. N/A Virginia Code Ann. § 24.2-709.1, and § 24.2-712
    Washington 8 p.m. on Election Day. It is prohibited to release results before that time. N/A Washington Rev. Code §  29A.40.110, and §  29A.84.730
    West Virginia On Election Day. It is prohibited to release results until the polls close and precinct returns are posted on the door of polling places. There is no specific deadline to complete the counting of absentee ballots, but state law says that a counting board "may not adjourn until the work is completed."[31] West Virginia Code Ann. § 3-3-8, and § 3-6-6
    Wisconsin After the polls open on Election Day. N/A Wisconsin Stat. § 6.88
    Wyoming On Election Day. It is prohibited to release results before polls close. N/A Wyoming Stat § 22-9-121, and § 22-9-125

    Ballot receipt deadlines

    Regardless of when state laws permit election officials to process or count ballots, starting this work depends on the date that they receive completed ballots.

    HIGHLIGHTS
    As of June 2025:
  • One state—Louisiana—required ballots returned by mail to be received the day before Election Day.
  • Thirty-four states required a ballot be received by Election Day.
  • Six states had a receipt deadline between one and four days after the election.
  • Seven states and D.C. had a deadline between five and 10 days after Election Day.
  • Two states—Illinois and Washington—had a deadline between 14 and 20 days after the election.

    • Every state that accepts ballots after Election Day requires that the ballot has a postmark on or before Election Day to be counted.

    See also

    Footnotes

    1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 Bipartisan Policy Center, "Ballot Pre-processing Policies Explained," September 7, 2022
    2. ↑ R Street Institute, "Combating Misinformation Through Electoral Reform," October 24, 2023
    3. ↑ The Joseph Rainey Center for Public Policy, "Five Principles for Faster Vote Counts," accessed April 21, 2025
    4. ↑ NPR, "A need for speed: Several states are looking for ways to count votes faster," January 16, 2025
    5. ↑ MIT Election Data & Science Lab, "Voting by mail and absentee voting," accessed April 21, 2025
    6. ↑ National Conference of State Legislatures, "When Absentee/Mail Ballot Processing and Counting Can Begin," accessed May 15, 2025
    7. ↑ In states where election officials may scan or tabulate ballots before Election Day, state law typically prohibits them from either executing a tabulation of scanned ballots, or from releasing tabulation results before the close of polls on Election Day
    8. ↑ 8.0 8.1 Connecticut General Assembly, "Connecticut General Statutes § 9-150a," accessed May 19, 2025
    9. ↑ 9.0 9.1 Connecticut Office of the Secretary of State, "Procedure Manual for Counting Absentee Ballots," September 29, 2011
    10. ↑ The Delaware Code Online, "Delaware Code. Ann. Title 15 § 5510. Opening and preparing absentee ballots for tabulation." accessed May 21, 2025
    11. ↑ Massachusetts Legislature, " Massachusetts Gen. Laws Ann. ch. 54 § 25B: Early voting; application for early voting ballots; early voting period, sites and lists; counting of early voting ballots," accessed May 22, 2025
    12. ↑ Email correspondence with Massachusetts Office of the Secretary of the Commonwealth on May 22, 2025.
    13. ↑ Not all absentee/mail-in ballots are scanned. In some states or jurisdictions, election officials may count ballots by hand.
    14. ↑ U.S. Election Assistance Commission, "Election Results, Canvass, and Certification," November 4, 2024
    15. ↑ Brennan Center for Justice, "Hand Counting Ballots," July 29, 2024
    16. ↑ If a state's law do not include a specific deadline to complete counting absentee/mail-in ballots, than it may be assumed that state law provides a deadline by other means, likely though a combination of canvass and certification deadlines, provisional ballot rules, and cure policies.
    17. ↑ Colorado Secretary of State, "Colorado Revised Statutes § 1-7.5-202," accessed May 19, 2025
    18. ↑ DC.gov, "District of Columbia Municipal Regulations and District of Columbia Register, Notice ID: R0054001, § 3-808" accessed May 28, 2025
    19. ↑ Georgia General Assembly, "O.C.G.A. § 21-2-386. Procedures regarding absentee ballots." accessed May 20, 2025
    20. ↑ Hawaiʻi Legislature, "HRS Title 2, § 11-108 Counting of mail-in ballots; validity; ballots included in recounts; certification of final tabulation." accessed May 21, 2025
    21. ↑ Illinois General Assembly, "10 ILCS 5/19-8. Time and place of counting ballots." accessed May 21, 2025
    22. ↑ Iowa Legislature, "Iowa Code § 52.23 Special precinct election board." accessed May 21, 2025
    23. ↑ 23.0 23.1 Maryland General Assembly, "Maryland Election Code Ann. § 11-101," accessed May 21, 2025
    24. ↑ Email correspondence with Massachusetts Office of the Secretary of the Commonwealth on May 22, 2025.
    25. ↑ Michigan Secretary of State, "Election Officials Manual, Chapter 8: Absent Voter Ballot Processing," October, 2025
    26. ↑ Missouri Revisor of Statutes, "Missouri Revised Statutes § 115.299. Absentee ballots, how counted." accessed May 22, 2025
    27. ↑ New Mexico Compilation Commission, "New Mexico Statutes Annotated 1978 § 1-6-14. Handling mailed ballots," accessed May 22, 2025
    28. ↑ North Carolina Legislature, "North Carolina General Statutes § 163‑234. Counting absentee ballots by county board." accessed May 27, 2025
    29. ↑ OregonLaws, "ORS 254.485. Tally of ballots." accessed May 27, 2025
    30. ↑ Rhode Island Legislature, "R.I. Gen. Laws § 17-22-1." accessed May 27, 2025
    31. ↑ West Virginia Legislature, "§3-6-6. Ballot counting procedures in paper ballot systems." accessed May 28, 2025
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