As we approach the 2024 elections, the landscape of early voting is more critical than ever. Early voting provides a convenient and accessible way for citizens to cast their ballots, alleviating the pressure on Election Day and helping to ensure that more voices are heard. However, the rules and availability of early voting can vary significantly from state to state. In this post, we’ll break down how early voting works across the United States in 2024, highlighting key differences and what voters need to know.
What is Early Voting?
Early voting allows registered voters to cast their ballots before the official Election Day. This can be done in person at designated voting locations or by mail. The aim is to increase voter turnout and make voting more accessible to people who might have difficulty voting on Election Day due to work, family responsibilities, or other commitments.
Early Voting by State
Alabama
- In-Person Early Voting: Not available.
- Absentee Voting: Available with an excuse required. Applications must be submitted by the Thursday before the election.
Alaska
- In-Person Early Voting: Starts 15 days before Election Day.
- Absentee Voting: No excuse required. Applications must be submitted by 10 days before the election.
Arizona
- In-Person Early Voting: Begins 27 days before Election Day.
- Absentee Voting: No excuse required. Ballots must be received by Election Day.
Arkansas
- In-Person Early Voting: Starts 15 days before Election Day.
- Absentee Voting: Excuse required. Ballots must be received by Election Day.
California
- In-Person Early Voting: Starts 29 days before Election Day.
- Absentee Voting: No excuse required. Ballots must be postmarked by Election Day and received within 7 days.
Colorado
- In-Person Early Voting: Starts 15 days before Election Day.
- Absentee Voting: All-mail voting state. Ballots mailed to all registered voters.
Connecticut
- In-Person Early Voting: Not available.
- Absentee Voting: Excuse required. Ballots must be received by Election Day.
Delaware
- In-Person Early Voting: Starts 10 days before Election Day.
- Absentee Voting: Excuse required. Ballots must be received by Election Day.
Florida
- In-Person Early Voting: Begins 10 days before Election Day.
- Absentee Voting: No excuse required. Ballots must be received by 7 p.m. on Election Day.
Georgia
- In-Person Early Voting: Starts 22 days before Election Day.
- Absentee Voting: No excuse required. Ballots must be received by Election Day.
Hawaii
- In-Person Early Voting: Starts 10 days before Election Day.
- Absentee Voting: No excuse required. All-mail voting state.
Idaho
- In-Person Early Voting: Starts 15 days before Election Day.
- Absentee Voting: No excuse required. Ballots must be received by Election Day.
Illinois
- In-Person Early Voting: Starts 40 days before Election Day.
- Absentee Voting: No excuse required. Ballots must be postmarked by Election Day.
Indiana
- In-Person Early Voting: Starts 28 days before Election Day.
- Absentee Voting: Excuse required. Ballots must be received by Election Day.
Iowa
- In-Person Early Voting: Starts 20 days before Election Day.
- Absentee Voting: No excuse required. Ballots must be received by Election Day.
Kansas
- In-Person Early Voting: Starts 20 days before Election Day.
- Absentee Voting: No excuse required. Ballots must be postmarked by Election Day and received within 3 days.
Kentucky
- In-Person Early Voting: Starts 12 days before Election Day.
- Absentee Voting: Excuse required. Ballots must be received by Election Day.
Louisiana
- In-Person Early Voting: Starts 14 days before Election Day.
- Absentee Voting: Excuse required. Ballots must be received by Election Day.
Maine
- In-Person Early Voting: Starts 30 days before Election Day.
- Absentee Voting: No excuse required. Ballots must be received by Election Day.
Maryland
- In-Person Early Voting: Starts 10 days before Election Day.
- Absentee Voting: No excuse required. Ballots must be postmarked by Election Day and received within 10 days.
Massachusetts
- In-Person Early Voting: Starts 11 days before Election Day.
- Absentee Voting: Excuse required. Ballots must be received by Election Day.
Michigan
- In-Person Early Voting: Starts 40 days before Election Day.
- Absentee Voting: No excuse required. Ballots must be received by Election Day.
Minnesota
- In-Person Early Voting: Starts 46 days before Election Day.
- Absentee Voting: No excuse required. Ballots must be received by Election Day.
Mississippi
- In-Person Early Voting: Not available.
- Absentee Voting: Excuse required. Ballots must be postmarked by Election Day and received within 5 days.
Missouri
- In-Person Early Voting: Starts 6 weeks before Election Day.
- Absentee Voting: Excuse required. Ballots must be received by Election Day.
Montana
- In-Person Early Voting: Starts 30 days before Election Day.
- Absentee Voting: No excuse required. Ballots must be received by Election Day.
Nebraska
- In-Person Early Voting: Starts 30 days before Election Day.
- Absentee Voting: No excuse required. Ballots must be received by Election Day.
Nevada
- In-Person Early Voting: Starts 17 days before Election Day.
- Absentee Voting: No excuse required. Ballots must be postmarked by Election Day and received within 7 days.
New Hampshire
- In-Person Early Voting: Not available.
- Absentee Voting: Excuse required. Ballots must be received by Election Day.
New Jersey
- In-Person Early Voting: Starts 10 days before Election Day.
- Absentee Voting: No excuse required. Ballots must be postmarked by Election Day and received within 7 days.
New Mexico
- In-Person Early Voting: Starts 28 days before Election Day.
- Absentee Voting: No excuse required. Ballots must be received by Election Day.
New York
- In-Person Early Voting: Starts 10 days before Election Day.
- Absentee Voting: No excuse required. Ballots must be postmarked by Election Day and received within 7 days.
North Carolina
- In-Person Early Voting: Starts 18 days before Election Day.
- Absentee Voting: No excuse required. Ballots must be received by Election Day.
North Dakota
- In-Person Early Voting: Starts 15 days before Election Day.
- Absentee Voting: No excuse required. Ballots must be received by Election Day.
Ohio
- In-Person Early Voting: Starts 29 days before Election Day.
- Absentee Voting: No excuse required. Ballots must be postmarked by the day before Election Day.
Oklahoma
- In-Person Early Voting: Starts 5 days before Election Day.
- Absentee Voting: No excuse required. Ballots must be received by Election Day.
Oregon
- In-Person Early Voting: Not available.
- Absentee Voting: All-mail voting state. Ballots must be received by Election Day.
Pennsylvania
- In-Person Early Voting: Starts 50 days before Election Day.
- Absentee Voting: No excuse required. Ballots must be received by Election Day.
Rhode Island
- In-Person Early Voting: Starts 20 days before Election Day.
- Absentee Voting: Excuse required. Ballots must be received by Election Day.
South Carolina
- In-Person Early Voting: Starts 15 days before Election Day.
- Absentee Voting: Excuse required. Ballots must be received by Election Day.
South Dakota
- In-Person Early Voting: Starts 46 days before Election Day.
- Absentee Voting: No excuse required. Ballots must be received by Election Day.
Tennessee
- In-Person Early Voting: Starts 20 days before Election Day.
- Absentee Voting: Excuse required. Ballots must be received by Election Day.
Texas
- In-Person Early Voting: Starts 17 days before Election Day.
- Absentee Voting: Excuse required. Ballots must be postmarked by Election Day.
Utah
- In-Person Early Voting: Starts 14 days before Election Day.
- Absentee Voting: No excuse required. All-mail voting state.
Vermont
- In-Person Early Voting: Starts 45 days before Election Day.
- Absentee Voting: No excuse required. Ballots must be received by Election Day.
Virginia
- In-Person Early Voting: Starts 45 days before Election Day.
- Absentee Voting: No excuse required. Ballots must be postmarked by Election Day.
Washington
- In-Person Early Voting: Starts 18 days before Election Day.
- Absentee Voting: No excuse required. All-mail voting state.
West Virginia
- In-Person Early Voting: Starts 13 days before Election Day.
- Absentee Voting: Excuse required. Ballots must be postmarked by Election Day.
Wisconsin
- In-Person Early Voting: Starts 14 days before Election Day.
- Absentee Voting: No excuse required. Ballots must be received by Election Day.
Wyoming
- In-Person Early Voting: Starts 45 days before Election Day.
- Absentee Voting: No excuse required. Ballots must be received by Election Day.
Conclusion
Early voting is a vital component of the American electoral process, making it easier for more people to participate in democracy. Whether you plan to vote in person before Election Day or mail in your ballot, it’s important to be aware of your state’s specific rules and deadlines. By doing so, you can ensure that your vote is counted and that your voice is heard in the 2024 elections.
Stay informed, stay engaged, and make your vote count!