With less than one month to go before the November General Election, many voters are already participating in absentee voting. Absentee voting is also referred to as “mail-in voting” or “vote by mail”. This practice involves receiving your ballot by mail, and then returning it by mail or in person. 

All states offer some form of absentee voting. It is an important option that can make voting more accessible.

The requirements for absentee voting vary by state. Some states, such as Alabama, require voters to provide a “valid excuse” for not voting in person on Election Day in order to receive an absentee ballot. Other states, such as Virginia, allow anyone to request an absentee ballot, regardless of whether they are able to vote in person on Election Day. Still others, such as the District of Columbia, automatically mail an absentee ballot to every registered vote. We must continue to advocate for expansive absentee voting options in all states.  

To find out the rules and deadlines for absentee voting your state, you can visit https://www.vote.org/absentee-voting-rules/ or your state’s Board of Elections website.