Here are the absentee ballot deadlines for all 50 states

FILE-Voters cast their ballots in the voting booths at the early vote location at the Charleston Coliseum and Convention Center in North Charleston, South Carolina. (Photo by LOGAN CYRUS/AFP via Getty Images)

Voters opting not to head to the polls to cast their ballot in November can make their selection for president using an absentee ballot. 

Each state has a deadline for submitting an absentee ballot and absentee ballot application, which varies depending on where you live. 

RELATED: How to register to vote on National Voter Registration Day

It is important to double-check with your state for any recent changes to election rules in your state. According to Vote.org, absentee ballots and applications must be received by the deadline, not just postmarked by the deadline.

Here’s what you need to know about each state’s deadline. 

Alabama

In Alabama, the deadline for absentee ballot applications are below:

  • In Person: Absentee ballots must be received five days before Election Day.
  • By Mail: Absentee ballots must be received seven days before Election Day.
  • Online: Absentee ballots applications are not available.

Absentee ballots in the state must be received by noon on Election Day if delivered by mail or if delivered by a medical emergency designee. And if the ballot is delivered in person, it must be received by 5 p.m. local time on the day before the election.

RELATED: Can noncitizens vote? State-by-state laws

Alaska

In Alaska, the deadline for absentee ballot applications are below:

  • In Person: Absentee ballot applications must be received10 days before Election Day.
  • By Mail: Absentee ballot applications must be received 10 days before Election Day.
  • Online: Absentee ballot applications must be received10 days before Election Day.

Absentee ballots in Alaska must be postmarked by Election Day and received 10 days after Election Day.

Arizona

The deadline for absentee ballot applications are below:

  • In Person: Absentee ballot applications must be received by 5pm, 11 days before Election Day.
  • By Mail: Absentee ballot applications must be received by 5pm, 11 days before Election Day.
  • Online: Absentee ballot applications must be received by 5pm, 11 days before Election Day.

Absentee ballots in Arizona must be received by 7pm (local time) on Election Day.

Arkansas

The deadline for absentee ballot applications are below:

  • In Person: Absentee ballot applications must be received the Friday before Election Day.
  • By Mail: Absentee ballot applications must be received seven days before Election Day.
  • Online: Absentee ballot applications are not available.

RELATED: Early voting begins this month, and these states are already sending out ballots

If delivered in person, absentee ballots must be received by close of business on the Friday before Election Day. If absentee ballots are delivered by mail, they must be received by 7:30 p.m. local time on Election Day.

California 

The deadline for absentee ballot applications in California are below: 

  • In Person: Voters who need to change where their ballot is mailed, the application should be received by the 7th day before Election Day.
  • By Mail: If you need to change where your ballot is mailed, your application should be received by the 7th day before Election Day.
  • Online: absentee ballot applications are not available.

Absentee ballots should be postmarked by Election Day and received no later than 7 days after the Election.

Colorado

The deadline for absentee ballot applications in Colorado are listed below:

  • In Person: absentee ballot applications are not available in Colorado
  • By Mail: If you need to change where your ballot is mailed, voters should submit an address change at least eight days before Election Day.
  • Online: Absentee ballot applications are not available.

Absentee ballots must be received by 7pm (local time) on Election Day. If you are dropping off your ballot in person or at a dropbox, you are allowed to cast your ballot if you’re in line by 7pm on Election Day.

Connecticut 

The deadline for absentee ballot applications are below:

  • In Person: Absentee ballot applications must be received one day before Election Day.
  • By Mail: Applications must be received one day before Election Day, but we recommend applying at least seven days before Election Day.
  • Online: Absentee ballot applications are not available.

Absentee ballots must be received by close of polls on Election Day if returned by mail or by a voter's immediate family/qualified designee. But if returned by the voter in-person, received by the day before Election Day.

Delaware

The deadline for absentee ballot applications are below:

  • In Person: Absentee ballot applications must be received by 12pm local time on the day before Election Day.
  • By Mail: Absentee ballot applications that are mailed must be received four days before Election Day.
  • Online: Absentee ballot applications must be received four days before Election Day.

Absentee ballots must be turned in by 8 p.m. local time on Election Day.

District of Columbia 

The deadline for absentee ballot applications are below:

  • In Person: Absentee ballot applications are not available.
  • By Mail: Absentee ballot applications that are mailed must be received 15 days before Election Day.
  • Online: Absentee ballot applications must be received 15 days before Election Day.

Absentee ballots in D.C. must be postmarked on or before Election Day and received no later than 10 days after Election Day.

Florida

The deadline for absentee ballot applications are below:

  • In Person: Absentee ballot applications submitted in person must be received by 5pm local time, 12 days before Election Day.
  • By Mail and Online: Absentee ballot applications must be received by 5 p.m. 12 days before Election Day.

Absentee ballots must be received by 7pm on Election Day. A 10-day extension exists for overseas voters voting in Presidential Primaries and General Elections, provided the ballot is postmarked or dated by Election Day, per vote.org.

Georgia

The deadline for absentee ballot applications are as follows:

  • In Person: Absentee ballot applications must be received 11 days before Election Day.
  • By Mail: Absentee ballot applications must be received 11 days before Election Day.
  • Online: Absentee ballot applications are not available online.

Absentee ballots must be received by the time the polls close on Election Day.

Hawaii

The deadline for absentee ballot applications are listed below:

  • In Person: If you need to change where your ballot is mailed, you must submit address change at least senve days before Election Day.
  • By Mail: If you need to change where your ballot is mailed, you must an submit address change at least seven days before Election Day.
  • Online: Absentee ballot applications are not available online. Hawaii has transitioned to all-mail voting with no application required.

Absentee ballots must be received by 7 p.m. local time on Election Day.

Idaho

The deadline for absentee ballot applications are listed below:

  • In Person: Absentee ballot applications must be received by 5pm local time on the Friday before Election Day.
  • By Mail and Online: Absentee ballot applications must be received by 5pm,11 days before Election Day.

Absentee ballots must be received by 8 p.m. on Election Day.

Illinois

The deadline for absentee ballot applications are listed below:

  • In Person: Absentee ballot applications must be received one day before Election Day.
  • By Mail: Absentee ballot applications must be received five days before Election Day.
  • Online: Absentee ballot applications must be received five days before Election Day.

Absentee ballots must be postmarked by Election Day and received by 14 days after Election Day.

Indiana 

The deadline for absentee ballot applications are as follows: 

  • In Person: Absentee ballot applications must be received 12 days before Election Day.
  • By Mail: Absentee ballot applications must be received 12 days before Election Day.
  • Online: Absentee ballot applications must be received 12 days before Election Day.

Absentee ballots are due by 6pm (local time) on Election Day.

Iowa

The deadline for absentee ballot applications are as follows:

  • In Person: Absentee ballot applications must be received one day before Election Day unless the polls open at noon. If the polls open at noon, you may cast an absentee ballot at the county auditor's office from 8am to 11am on Election Day.
  • By Mail: Absentee ballot applications must be Received 15 days before Election Day.
  • Online: Absentee ballot applications are not available online.

Absentee ballots must be received before 8 p.m. local time on Election Day.

Kansas

The deadline for absentee ballot applications are below: 

  • In Person: Absentee ballot applications must be received  seven days before Election Day.
  • By Mail: Absentee ballot applications must be received seven days before Election Day.
  • Online: Absentee ballot applications are not available online.

Absentee ballots must be postmarked by Election Day and received three days after Election Day. 

Kentucky

The deadline for absentee ballot applications are below: 

  • Absentee ballot applications are not available to be submitted in person or by mail. But the applications are available online and must be received by 11:59 p.m. (local time) 14 days before Election Day.

Absentee ballots must be received by 6 p.m local time on Election Day. 

Louisiana 

The deadline for absentee ballot applications are as follows: 

  • In Person: Absentee ballot applications must be received by 4:30pm (local time), four days before Election Day (unless this day falls on a weekend or holiday; then the deadline is the following business day).
  • By Mail: Absentee ballot applications must be received by 4:30pm, four days before Election Day (unless this day falls on a weekend or holiday; then the deadline is the following business day).
  • Online: Absentee ballot applications must be received by 4:30pm, four days before Election Day (unless this day falls on a weekend or holiday; then the deadline is the following business day).

Absentee ballots must be received by 4:30pm, one day before Election Day for most voters, and received by 8 p.m. on Election Day for members of the military, overseas, hospitalized, and sequestered jury voters. 

Maine 

The deadline for absentee ballot applications are listed below:

  • In Person: Absentee ballot applications must be received three business days before Election Day.
  • By Mail: Absentee ballot applications must be received three business days before Election Day.
  • Online: Absentee ballot applications must be received three business days before Election Day.

Absentee ballots must be received by the municipal clerk by 8 p.m. (local time) on Election Day.

Maryland 

The deadline for absentee ballot applications are listed below:

  • In Person: Absentee ballot applications must be received on Election Day.
  • By Mail: Absentee ballot applications must be received seven days before Election Day.
  • Online: Absentee ballot applications must be received seven days before Election Day to receive ballots by mail, and received four days before Election Day to receive ballots online.

Absentee ballots must be postmarked on or before Election Day and received by 10am (local time), 10 days after Election Day.

Massachusetts 

The deadline for absentee ballot applications are listed below:

  • In Person: Absentee ballot applications must be received by 5pm (local time), five business days before Election Day.
  • By Mail: Absentee ballot applications must be received by 5pm, five business days before Election Day, but it’s recommended to apply at least seven days before Election Day.
  • Online: Absentee ballot applications must be received by 5pm, 5 business days before Election Day.

Absentee ballots must be received by Election Day.

Michigan

The deadline for absentee ballot applications are listed below:

  • In Person: Absentee ballot applications must be received at your city or township clerk’s office by 4 p.m. local time one day before Election Day (if already registered where you live); received by 8 p.m. on Election Day (if a new/updated registrant). If you request your absentee ballot on Election Day, you must vote in the ballot in the clerk's office.
  • By Mail: Absentee ballot applications must be received by your city of township clerk by 5 p.m. the Friday before the election. There is no guarantee that a voter who submits their application by or close to this deadline will receive a ballot before Election Day. If it is within two weeks of Election Day, voters are strongly encouraged to request an absentee ballot in person.
  • Online: Absentee ballot applications must be received by 5 p.m. the Friday before the election. There is no guarantee that a voter who submits their application by or close to this deadline will receive a ballot before Election Day. If it is within two weeks of Election Day, voters are strongly encouraged to request an absentee ballot in person.

Absentee ballots for most voters must be received by their city or township clerk by 8:00 p.m. local time on Election Day.

Minnesota 

The deadline for absentee ballot applications are listed below:

  • In Person: Absentee ballot applications must be received before Election Day, but it’s recommended to submit the form at least seven days before Election Day to allow time to receive absentee ballot and submit by Election Day.
  • By Mail: Absentee ballot applications must be received before Election Day, but it’s recommended to submit the form at least seven days before Election Day to allow time to receive absentee ballot and submit by Election Day.
  • Online: Absentee ballot applications must be received before Election Day, but it’s recommended to submit the form at least seven days before Election Day to allow time to receive absentee ballot and submit by Election Day.

Absentee ballots must be received by Election Day by mail, drop box, or in person to the local election official by 8 p.m. local time. 

Mississippi 

The deadline for absentee ballot applications are listed below:

  • In Person: There is no specific deadline for absentee ballot applications. In-person absentee voting for those with a qualifying excuse ends three days before Election Day.
  • By Mail: There is also no specific deadline fpr absentee ballot applications, but it’s recommended to request a ballot at least seven days before Election Day.
  • Online: Absentee ballot applications are not available online.

Absentee ballots must be postmarked by Election Day and received within five business days of Election Day (by mail).

Missouri

The deadline for absentee ballot applications are listed below:

  • In Person: Absentee ballot applications must be received by 5pm local time on the day before Election Day.
  • By Mail: Absentee ballot applications must be received by 5pm on the second Wednesday prior to Election Day.
  • Online: Absentee ballot applications are not available online.

Absentee ballots must be received by the close of polls on Election Day.

Montana 

The deadline for absentee ballot applications are as follows:

  • In Person: Absentee ballot applications must be received by noon local time, one day before Election Day.
  • By Mail: Absentee ballot applications must be received by noon, omne day before Election Day, but it’s recommended to apply at least seven days before Election Day.
  • Online: Absentee ballot applications are not available online.

Absentee ballots must be received by 8pm local time on Election Day.

Nebraska 

The deadline for absentee ballot applications are as follows:

  • In Person: Absentee ballot applications must be received 11 days before Election Day.
  • By Mail: Absentee ballot applications must be received 11 days before Election Day.
  • Online: Absentee ballot applications are not available online.

Absentee ballots must be received by close of polls on Election Day.

Nevada

The deadline for absentee ballot applications are below:

Absentee ballot applications are not available in person, by mail or online. (all registered voters will receive a vote by mail ballot)

Absentee ballots must be postmarked on or before Election Day, and received by the 4th day after.

New Hampshire

The deadline for absentee ballot applications are below:

  • In Person: There’s no specific deadline to submit absentee ballot applications.
  • By Mail: There’s no specific deadline to turn in absentee ballot applications. It’s recommended for voters to request their ballot at least 14 days before Election Day.
  • Online: Absentee ballot applications are not available online.

Absentee ballots must be received by 5pm local time on Election Day.

New Jersey

The deadline for absentee ballot applications are below:

  • In Person: Absentee ballot applications must be received by 3pm local, the day before Election Day.
  • By Mail: Absentee ballot applications must be received seven days before Election Day.
  • Online: Absentee ballot applications are not available online. A

Absentee ballots must be postmarked by 8 p.m. local time on Election Day, and received by the sixth day after Election Day.

New Mexico

The deadline for absentee ballot applications are below:

Absentee ballot applications in person, by mail, and online must be received 14 days prior to Election Day.

And absentee ballots must be received by 7pm local time on Election Day.

New York

The deadline for absentee ballot applications are as follows: 

  • In Person: Absentee ballot applications must be received one day before Election Day.
  • By Mail and Online: Absentee ballot applications must be Received 15 days before Election Day.

Absentee ballots must be postmarked on Election Day and received seven days after Election Day. Voted ballots can also be turned in by hand on Election Day.

North Carolina

The deadline for absentee ballot applications are as follows: 

  • In Person: Absentee ballot applications must be received by 5pm local time, seven days before Election Day.
  • By Mail: Absentee ballot applications must be received by 5pm, seven days before Election Day.
  • Online: Absentee ballot applications must be received seven days before Election Day.

Absentee ballots are due in person, 5 p.m. local time on Election Day. And if submitted by mail, it must be postmarked on Election Day.

North Dakota

The deadline for absentee ballot applications are as follows: 

  • In Person: Absentee ballot applications have no specific deadline.
  • By Mail: Absentee ballot applications have no specific deadline, but it’s recommended for voters to request their ballot at least seven days before Election Day.
  • Online: Absentee ballot applications are not available online.

Absentee ballots must be postmarked 1 day before Election Day.

Ohio

The deadline for absentee ballot applications are as follows:

  • In Person and By Mail: Absentee ballot applications must be received by close of business seven days before Election Day.
  • Online: Absentee ballot applications are not available online.

Absentee ballots must be postmarked no later than the day before Election Day and received no later than four days after Election Day, or delivered in person by 7:30 p.m. local time on Election Day.

Oklahoma

The deadline for absentee ballot applications are below: 

Absentee ballot applications that are in person, by mail, or online must be received by 5 p.m. local time on the third Monday preceding Election Day.

Absentee ballots that are mailed must be received by 7pm local time on Election Day. If the ballots are submitted they have to be received by close of business the day before the election.

Oregon

The deadline for absentee ballot applications are below: 

  • Absentee ballot applications are not available in person or online.
  • By Mail: Residents can update their voter registration information, until 8 p.m. local time on Election Day and still cast a ballot. However, if your registration is updated close to an election, your ballot might have to be issued at the county elections office.​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​

Absentee ballots must be postmarked by Election Day and received not later than 7 days after Election Day.

Pennsylvania 

The deadline for absentee ballot applications are below: 

  • In Person: Absentee ballot applications must be received seven days before Election Day by 5 p.m. local time.
  • By Mail: Absentee ballot applications must be received seven days before Election Day.
  • Online: Absentee ballot applications must be received by 5 p.m. local time on the first Tuesday before Election Day.

Absentee ballots must be received by 8 p.m. local time on Election Day.

Rhode Island

The deadline for absentee ballot applications are below:

  • In Person: Absentee ballot applications must be received by 4 p.m. local time, 21 days before Election Day.
  • By Mail: Absentee ballot applications must be received by 4 p.m., 21 days before Election Day.
  • Online: Absentee ballot applications must be received by 4 p.m., 21 days before Election Day.

According to vote.org, If, after this deadline, voters realize they will not be able to make it to the polls on Election Day, they can vote early using an emergency mail ballot within the 20 days before the election. 

Voters must apply for an emergency ballot by 4 p.m. on the day before the election. You will be able to vote your ballot at your local Board of Canvassers, take it with you, or authorize someone to pick it up for you.

South Carolina

The deadline for absentee ballot applications are below:

  • In Person: Absentee ballot applications must be received by 5 p.m. local time on the 11th day before Election Day.
  • By Mail: Absentee ballot applications must be received by 5 p.m. four days prior to the election. However, South Carolina officials strongly recommend that voters' applications are received two weeks before Election Day to provide time for receiving and returning ballots by mail.
  • Online: Absentee ballot applications are not available online.

Absentee ballots must be received by 7 p.m. local time on Election Day.

South Dakota 

The deadline for absentee ballot applications are below: 

  • In Person: Absentee ballot applications must be received the day before Election Day, but it's recommended that voters apply at least seven days before Election Day.
  • By Mail: Absentee ballot applications must be Received one day before Election Day, but it’s recommended that voters apply at least seven days before Election Day.
  • Online: Absentee ballot applications are not available online.

Tennessee

The deadline for absentee ballot applications are below: 

  • In Person and Online: Absentee ballot applications are not available in person or online.
  • By Mail: Absentee ballot applications must be received seven days before Election Day.

Absentee ballots must be received on Election Day by 7 p.m. local time. 

Texas 

The deadline for absentee ballot applications are as follows: 

  • Absentee ballot applications submitted in person and by mail must be received 11 days before Election Day.
  • Online: Absentee ballot applications are not available online.

Absentee ballot applications must be postmarked by 7 p.m. local time on Election Day and received by 5 p.m. the day after Election Day (except for ballots cast from an address outside the US, which must be postmarked by 7 p.m. on Election Day and received no later than five days after Election Day).

Utah 

The deadline for absentee ballot applications are below:

  • In Person, By mail, and Online: Utah automatically sends ballots to all registered voters, but for individuals who need a ballot mailed to a location other than their registration address, an application must be received 11 days before Election Day.

Absentee ballots deadlines, if in-person,must be received by Election Day; if mailed, must be postmarked the day before Election Day.

Vermont

The deadline for absentee ballot applications are as follows:

  • In Person: Absentee ballot applications must be received one day before Election Day.
  • By Mail: Absentee ballot applications must be received one day before Election Day, but we recommend applying at least seven days before Election Day.
  • Online: Absentee ballot applications must be received one day before Election Day.

Absentee ballots, if mailed, must be received by the close of business the day before the election. Voters may also submit their ballots by hand at their polling location on Election Day.

Virginia 

The deadline for absentee ballot applications are as follows:

  • In Person: Absentee ballot applications must be received three days before Election Day.
  • By Mail and Online: Absentee ballot applications must be received by 5 p.m. local time 11 days before Election Day.

Absentee ballots must be postmarked by Election Day and received by noon three days after Election Day.

Washington 

The deadline for absentee ballot applications are below:

  • In Person and Online: Absentee ballot applications are not available in person or online.
  • By Mail: Washington automatically sends a ballot to every registered voter, but also provides a special application for voters who are unable to receive and return a ballot during the regular absentee ballot window. This application can be submitted in person starting 90 days before the election.

Absentee ballots must be postmarked by Election Day. 

West Virginia 

The deadline for absentee ballot applications are below: 

  • In Person & By Mail: Absentee ballot applications must be received six days before Election Day.
  • Online: Absentee ballot applications are not available online.

Mailed absentee ballots must be postmarked by Election Day and received five days after Election Day (unless that day is a Sunday, then the deadline is the following Monday). 

Mailed absentee ballots with no postmark will be counted if received one day after Election Day. Absentee ballots returned in person must be received one day before Election Day.

Wisconsin

The deadline for absentee ballot applications are below:

  • In Person: Absentee ballot applications must be received the Sunday before Election Day.
  • By Mail and Online: Absentee ballot applications must be received by 5 p.m. local time and five days before Election Day.

Absentee ballots must be received by 8 p.m. local time on Election Day.

Wyoming

The deadline for absentee ballot applications are below:

  • In Person: Absentee ballot applications must be received one day before Election Day.
  • By Mail: Absentee ballot applications must be received one day before Election Day, but election officials recommend applying at least seven days before Election Day.
  • Online: Absentee ballot applications are not available online.

Absentee ballots must be received by 7 p.m. local time on Election Day.


 


 

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