Absentee Voting or Voting by Mail
Absentee voting allows you to vote by mail. Though every state has absentee voting, rules on who can take part vary.
Voters Who Reside in the U.S.
Get your absentee ballot from your state or territory.
Visit Can I Vote and choose your state from the dropdown menu. It will take you right to your state's absentee voting page.
Your state may require you to have a valid excuse to vote absentee. Acceptable excuses vary by state. Most include:
- Being unable to get to your polling place due to illness, injury, or disability.
- Being on business travel or vacation outside of your county or city of residence on Election Day
- Being a student at an out-of-state college or university
Follow your state’s instructions for requesting an absentee or vote-by-mail ballot. Or use this website to help you complete an absentee ballot request for your state.
Contact your state election office or your local election officials for any concerns.
Know Your State’s Absentee Ballot Deadlines
Make sure you follow your state’s deadlines for requesting and returning your absentee ballot. See your state’s absentee voting deadlines. And note the dates for when your ballot must be postmarked or received. It’s an important distinction.
You Received an Absentee Ballot but Want To Vote In Person
You might be able to vote in person on Election Day, even if you received a mail-in ballot. Every state has different rules, so check with your state or local election office for the specific procedures. Typically:
You’ll take your absentee ballot to your designated polling place on Election Day.
Depending on your state's rules, you might exchange your uncast absentee ballot for an in-person ballot, or complete your absentee ballot and hand it in, or cast a provisional ballot.
Know Your Options for Returning Your Absentee Ballot
Check with your local election office to learn about other ways to return your absentee ballot besides postal mail. Some states have ballot drop boxes. Many let you return your ballot in person at your local election office or another location.
Military and Overseas Voters
Who Can and Can’t Vote Absentee
Military members and families stationed outside their legal voting residence can vote absentee.
Overseas U.S. citizens who used to live in the U.S. can vote absentee.
U.S. citizens born abroad who have never resided in the U.S. may not be able to vote absentee. Check the rules of the state where the person’s parent or legal guardian last resided.
Register and Request an Absentee Ballot in One Step
If you're a military or overseas U.S. citizen, you can register to vote and request an absentee ballot in one step. Complete the Federal Post Card Application (FCPA) online. Or download the FCPA.
You must know your voting residence for this.
If you're an overseas citizen, your voting residence is the address in the state you last resided in the U.S.
You can use this address even if:
You no longer own property in that state.
You’re not sure whether you’re going to return to that state.
Your previous address is no longer a recognized residential address.
If you're a military member, your voting residence should be in the state listed on your Leave and Earnings Statement. It is not necessarily your home of record.
If you’re a military spouse, you can:
Use the same residence as the service member, even if you never lived or visited there
Keep your current, established residence. That's the address that you consider your permanent home and once lived at.
Take the appropriate steps to establish a new residence
Submit Your Application as Soon as Possible
Whether you’re in the military or are an overseas U.S. citizen, you should submit your FPCA as soon as possible. You need to get your absentee ballot in time to return it by your state's deadline. But if you don’t, you can use the Federal Write-In Absentee Ballot to vote.
Visit the Federal Voting Assistance Program to learn more.