All-mail voting
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Five states – Colorado, Hawaii, Oregon, Utah, and Washington – conduct what are commonly referred to as all-mail 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:
- Background
- States with existing, permanent automatic mail-in ballot systems
- Automatic mail-in ballot procedures implemented in response to the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic
- Debate
Absentee/mail-in voting in 2020
The sections below detail absentee/mail-in voting requirements and deadlines in all 50 states, the District of Columbia, and the five permanently inhabited U.S. territories for the November 3, 2020, general election.
Eligibility
How to use this interactive table: The table comprises five columns:
- State
- Are there eligibility limits? ("Yes" indicates that only voters meeting select eligibility criteria can vote by absentee/mail-in ballot)
- Were changes made due to COVID-19?
- COVID-19 changes (entries in this field describe changes made to absentee/mail-in voting procedures due to COVID-19)
- Source (a link to a state website describing absentee/mail-in voting eligibility requirements)
Each of the five columns can be sorted alphabetically or chronologically. To sort a column, click the column heading. To search for a state, enter the state name in the search bar above the upper right-hand corner of the table.
By default, the table displays 10 states at a time. To see additional states on subsequent pages, use the navigation prompts under the bottom right-hand corner of the table. To change the number of states displayed on a single page, use the drop-down menu above the upper left-hand corner of the table.
Request deadlines
How to use this interactive table: The table comprises five columns:
- State
- In-person request deadline (the last day voters can submit absentee/mail-in voting requests in person, if applicable)
- Online request deadline (the last day voters can submit absentee/mail-in voting requests online, if applicable)
- Mail request deadline (the last day voters can submit absentee/mail-in voting requests by mail)
- Mail postmark or receipt deadline (whether the mail request deadline is a postmark or receipt deadline)
Each of the five columns can be sorted alphabetically or chronologically. To sort a column, click the column heading. To search for a state, enter the state name in the search bar above the upper right-hand corner of the table.
By default, the table displays 10 states at a time. To see additional states on subsequent pages, use the navigation prompts under the bottom right-hand corner of the table. To change the number of states displayed on a single page, use the drop-down menu above the upper left-hand corner of the table.
Request requirements
How to use this interactive table: The table comprises five columns:
- State
- Is other documentation required? ("Yes" indicates that a voter must include additional documentation with his or her absentee/mail-in ballot request)
- Required documentation (a description of required additional documentation, if applicable)
- Source (a link to a state website describing absentee/mail-in ballot request procedures)
- Request URL (a link to a state website where voters can either request an absentee/mail-in ballot directly or access an application form)
Each of the five columns can be sorted alphabetically or chronologically. To sort a column, click the column heading. To search for a state, enter the state name in the search bar above the upper right-hand corner of the table.
By default, the table displays 10 states at a time. To see additional states on subsequent pages, use the navigation prompts under the bottom right-hand corner of the table. To change the number of states displayed on a single page, use the drop-down menu above the upper left-hand corner of the table.
Return deadlines
How to use this interactive table: The table comprises four columns:
- State
- In-person return deadline (the last day on which a voter can return a completed absentee/mail-in ballot in person, if applicable)
- Mail return deadline (the last day on which a voter can return a completed absentee/mail-in ballot by mail)
- Mail postmark or receipt deadline (whether the mail return deadline is a postmark or receipt deadline)
Each of the four columns can be sorted alphabetically or chronologically. To sort a column, click the column heading. To search for a state, enter the state name in the search bar above the upper right-hand corner of the table.
By default, the table displays 10 states at a time. To see additional states on subsequent pages, use the navigation prompts under the bottom right-hand corner of the table. To change the number of states displayed on a single page, use the drop-down menu above the upper left-hand corner of the table.
Signature and witness requirements
How to use this interactive table: The table comprises three columns:
- State
- Notary or witness requirements
- Signature requirements
Each of the three columns can be sorted alphabetically or chronologically. To sort a column, click the column heading. To search for a state, enter the state name in the search bar above the upper right-hand corner of the table.
By default, the table displays 10 states at a time. To see additional states on subsequent pages, use the navigation prompts under the bottom right-hand corner of the table. To change the number of states displayed on a single page, use the drop-down menu above the upper left-hand corner of the table.
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 existing, permanent automatic mail-in ballot systems
The map and table below detail those states that have implemented automatic mail-in ballot systems.
| Existing, permanent automatic mail-in ballot systems | ||
|---|---|---|
| State | Automatic mail-in ballot system type | Description |
| 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.[1] |
| 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.[2] |
| 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.[3] |
| 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.[4] |
| 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.[5] |
| 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.[6] |
The map and table below detail those states that have implemented temporary automatic mail-in ballot systems in response to the coronavirus (COVID-19 pandemic).
| Temporary automatic mail-in ballot systems | ||
|---|---|---|
| State | Automatic mail-in ballot system type | Description |
| California | Automatic mail-in ballot | Mail-in ballots sent automatically to all voters in the November 3, 2020, general election. |
| Connecticut | Automatic applications | Mail-in ballot applications sent automatically to all voters in the August 11, 2020, statewide primary and November 3, 2020, general election. |
| Delaware | Automatic applications | Mail-in ballot applications sent automatically to all voters in the 2020 primary, general, and special elections. |
| Georgia | Automatic applications | Mail-in ballot applications sent automatically to all voters in the June 9, 2020, primary election. |
| Idaho | Automatic applications | Primary conducted by mail. Mail-in ballot applications sent to all registered voters who have not already requested a ballot. Mail-in ballot return deadline extended to June 2, 2020. Implementation of online process for requesting a mail-in ballot. |
| Illinois | Automatic applications | Mail-in ballot applications sent automatically to all voters in the November 3, 2020, general election. |
| Iowa | Automatic applications | Mail-in ballot applications sent automatically to all voters in the June 2, 2020, primary and November 3, 2020, general elections. |
| Maryland | Automatic applications | Mail-in ballots sent automatically to all voters in the June 2, 2020, primary (at least one in-person voting center open in each county). Mail-in ballots sent automatically to all voters in the April 28, 2020, special election for Maryland's 7th Congressional District (in-person voting available for those unable to vote by mail). Mail-in ballot applications sent automatically to all voters in the November 3, 2020, general election. |
| Massachusetts | Automatic applications | Mail-in ballot applications sent automatically to all voters in the September 1, 2020, primary election. |
| Michigan | Automatic applications | Mail-in ballot applications sent automatically to all voters in the August 4, 2020, and November 3, 2020, primary and general elections. |
| Montana | Automatic mail-in ballot | Counties authorized to send mail-in ballots automatically to all voters in June 2, 2020, primary and November 3, 2020, general election. |
| Nebraska | Automatic applications | Mail-in ballot applications sent automatically to all voters in the May 12, 2020, and November 3, 2020, elections. |
| Nevada | Automatic mail-in ballot | Mail-in ballots sent automatically to all voters in the June 9, 2020, primary and November 3, 2020, general elections. |
| New Jersey | Automatic mail-in ballot | Mail-in ballots sent automatically to all registered, active Democratic and Republican voters in July 7, 2020, elections. Mail-in ballot applications sent automatically to all unaffiliated and inactive voters. Mail-in ballots sent automatically to all voters in the November 3, 2020, general election. |
| New Mexico | Automatic applications | Counties authorized to send mail-in ballot applications automatically to all voters in the November 3, 2020, election. |
| New York | Automatic applications | Absentee/mail-in voting eligibility requirements suspended, allowing all voters to cast ballots by mail in the June 23, 2020, primary election. Mail-in ballot applications sent automatically to all voters in the June 23, 2020, primary. |
| North Dakota | Automatic applications | Counties authorized to conduct June 9, 2020, election largely by mail. Mail-in ballot applications sent automatically to all voters. |
| Rhode Island | Automatic applications | Mail-in ballot applications sent automatically to all voters in the June 2, 2020, presidential preference primary and November 3, 2020, general election. |
| South Dakota | Automatic applications | Mail-in ballot applications sent automatically to all voters in the June 2, 2020, election. |
| Vermont | Automatic mail-in ballot | Mail-in ballot applications sent automatically to all voters in the August 11, 2020, election. Mail-in ballots sent automatically to all voters in the November 3, 2020, general election. |
| West Virginia | Automatic applications | Mail-in ballot applications sent automatically to all voters in the May 12, 2020, election. |
| Wisconsin | Automatic applications | Mail-in ballot applications sent automatically to most voters in the November 3, 2020, general election. |
Debate
A selection of arguments and commentary on the expansion of absentee/mail-in voting is presented below. Click on the first gray bar below to see arguments in favor of expanding absentee/mail-in voting. Click on the second gray bar for arguments against the expansion of absentee/mail-in voting.
See also
- Changes to election dates, procedures, and administration in response to the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, 2020
- Changes to vote-by-mail and absentee voting procedures in response to the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, 2020
- Political responses to the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, 2020
- State government responses to the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, 2020
- Politicians, candidates, and government officials diagnosed with or quarantined due to the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, 2020
- Changes to ballot measure campaigns, procedures, and policies in response to the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, 2020
- Ballotpedia's elections calendar
Footnotes
- ↑ Colorado Secretary of State, "Mail-in Ballots FAQs," accessed April 15, 2020
- ↑ Hawaii Office of Elections, "Hawaii Votes by Mail," accessed April 15, 2020
- ↑ Oregon Secretary of State, "Vote by Mail Procedures Manual," accessed April 15, 2020
- ↑ Vote.Utah.gov, "Learn about voting by mail," accessed April 15, 2020
- ↑ Washington Secretary of State, "Frequently Asked Questions on Voting by Mail," accessed April 15, 2020
- ↑ District of Columbia Board of Elections, "Mail Ballot Instructions - General Election 2020," accessed October 21, 2020
