Heading to the polls on Election Day is an exciting experience, especially if it’s your first time exercising your right to vote. But this year, with COVID-19 disrupting the way we used to get things done, many Americans will be forgoing the in-person experience and vote by mail instead.
Many states have made it easier for citizens to vote absentee this year to accommodate for the pandemic. However, every state’s rules and deadlines are different, and many are still in the process of deciding how they will handle voting this election.
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To clear up any confusion about these voting methods, here is a guide for how to vote early or absentee, and what the difference is between the two.
Be sure to check your state’s specific rules and deadlines so that you don’t miss any crucial deadlines.
Can I Still Vote If I Can’t Get to the Polls on Election Day?
Sometimes circumstances arise that make it difficult or even impossible for you to head to the polls on Election Day. Maybe you’ll be out of town or need to attend to another important obligation. Maybe there’s a global pandemic and you need to prioritize your health and the health of your family and friends.
If you know you can’t get to the polls on Election Day, plan ahead. In these cases, you usually have two options: Vote early or vote absentee.
More than half of US states offer opportunities for in-person early voting in the days or weeks leading up to the election. If you can’t get to the polls during the early voting period, many states also allow no-excuse absentee voting by mail, which you can complete before Election Day. All you have to do is request an absentee ballot by your state’s deadline, and mail it out on time.
Check out your state’s specific guidelines here.
What Are Early and Absentee Voting Rules for the 2020 Election?
Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, many states have made it easier for citizens to vote by mail this year. Most states are allowing absentee voting for all. In these states, voters can vote by mail without an excuse or cite the virus as a reason to vote absentee.
In nine states and Washington, DC, every registered voter will automatically be mailed an absentee ballot ahead of the election. And in some states, every registered voter will automatically be mailed an application to request an absentee ballot.
There are, however, a few states that are requiring an excuse beyond the virus to vote absentee. These states are Indiana, Louisiana, Mississippi, South Carolina, Tennessee, and Texas. (New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo signed an executive order on Aug. 20 that allows concern over COVID-19 as a valid excuse.)
How Do I Request an Absentee Ballot?
If your state does not automatically mail you an absentee ballot or a request application, go here to request an absentee ballot.
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