Absentee voting or voting by mail

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

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 whether the deadline is for when your ballot must be postmarked or for when it must be received by the elections office.

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 would 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 state or 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. 

Who can and cannot vote absentee

• Military members and families stationed outside their legal voting residence can vote absentee.

• U.S. citizens outside of the U.S. 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 are a military or U.S. citizen outside of the U.S., you can register to vote and request an absentee ballot in one step. Complete the Federal Post Card Application (FCPA) online. You must know your voting residence for this.