WELCOME to HowToVoteEarly.com (2012)

   A website created to provide "how to vote" info, including hyperlinks for all 50 states regarding how, when, and where to: 

 

    Register to Vote           Vote Early (by mail or in person)        Vote on Election Day   

Click  GO  under  Click Below  (or ONLINE) and you'll be taken directly to that state's official webpage providing information about registering, voting early (by mail or in person), or voting on election day.

   Uniformed (and eligible spouses and children) and Overseas Citizens:    CLICK HERE:   Federal Voting Assistance Program

         The deadlines listed below may or may not apply to applications made / ballots returned pursuant to the Federal Voting Assistance Program.

  VOTING EARLY BY MAIL 

The "Mail by" and "In Person" deadlines are for the APPLICATION (by mail, email, fax, online and/or in person)

    requesting an absentee ballot.  The "Mail by Deadlines" are postmark deadlines unless indicated "REC by". 

Return of the actual Absentee Ballot: 

 GO = Ballot must be REC by 11/6 (exact times vary)  GO = REC by 11/6 but also requiring an earlier postmark deadline
 GO = REC deadline is before 11/6  GO = Different deadlines (ballot returned by mail vs. returned in person.)
 GO = Postmark only deadline  GO = REC after 11/6 ok if (possibly pre-11/6) postmark deadline met.
In Person: Many states allow absentee ballots to be returned to any polling place on election day and many of the
  VOTING EARLY IN PERSON locations also accept absentee ballots obtained earlier / elsewhere.

  VOTING EARLY IN PERSON    

 GO = Only by absentee ballot, usually only at the same sites authorized to accept in person returns of absentee ballot applications  (and provide a ballot that can be voted in the same visit.)
 GO =  At special locations / intervals where voting is similar to (or exactly like) voting on election day. 
 (Also likely by absentee ballot as described directly above.)

  Many states have extended deadlines for hardship /emergency circumstances.   For maximum certainty, especially re: deadlines falling on

  weekends and legal holidays, please consult the websites linked below.          

  Exc Req?   NO = No Excuse Required AND a permanent No Exc Req absentee ballot option exists.   (Some other states have it only for "qualified" applicants.)

  How and Where to Vote On 11/6:   including  Voter I.D. requirements  that may also apply when voting early in person.  Google Polling Place Lookup.. 

            Strict = you cannot vote without showing the required I.D.

            Strict (w/suspend) = those w/o required I.D. can still vote by provisional ballot valid only with subsequent timely showing of valid I.D. / excuse.

            Non-Strict = I.D. required but with alternative(s) such as signing a (may have to be verified) affidavit or giving a date of birth.

            Semi-Strict = alternative to showing I.D. requires voter be I.D.'d as eligible by 2 poll workers (AL) or known by 2 supervising election judges (MO).

 GO = Non-Strict  GO = Strict  GO = Photo: Non-Strict
 GO = Gov. Issued: Non-Strict      GO = Photo: Strict (w/suspend) 
 GO = Semi-Strict  GO = HAVA (applies to some 1st time voters)  GO = Gov. Issued Photo: Strict (w/suspend)
 GO = Strict (w/ suspend)  GO = HAVA (but I.D. is encouraged.)  GO = Photo: Strict 

 Please email admin@howtovoteearly.com with any comments or suggestions.      N/A = Not Applicable        

 

Click any  State  below to return here ALA - COL CON - HAW IDA - KEN LOU - MIN MIS - N.H. N.J. - OHI OKL - S.D. TEN - WAS W.V. - WYO
State 11111111111111111111
REGISTERING
1111111111111111111		 VOTE BY MAIL VOTE EARLY IN PERSON ON 11/6
HOW WHERE
Mail by
Deadline		 In Person
Deadline		 Click
Below		 Mail by
Deadline		 In Person
Deadline		 Exc
Req?		 Click
Below		 Dates
(Some sites closed Sat and/or Sun)		 Exc
Req?		 Click
Below		 Click
Below		 Click
Below
Alabama REC by

10/26		 10/26 GO REC by

11/1		 11/1 YES GO By Absentee Ballot at your
 Absentee Election Manager
ending 11/1		 YES GO ID
 GO
Semi-Strict		 GO
Alaska REC by

10/7		  10/7 GO REC by 10/27
To Vote By Fax:
REC by
5 pm, 11/5		 10/27 NO GO 10/22 - 11/6 NO GO ID
GO
Non-Strict		 GO
Arizona EITHER PMk by 10/9 and REC by 7 pm, 11/6 OR REC by 10/13  10/9 GO REC by

10/26		 10/26 NO GO 10/11 - 11/2 NO GO D
 GO
Strict		 GO
Arkansas 10/7  10/7 GO 10/30 11/5 YES GO 10/22 - 11/5 NO GO ID
 GO
Non-Strict		 GO
California 10/22 10/22 GO REC by

10/30		 10/30 NO GO 10/8 - 11/6

Only in some counties.		 NO GO GO GO
Colorado REC by

10/9		 10/9 GO REC by

 10/30		  11/2 NO GO 10/22 - 11/2 NO GO D
 GO
Non-Strict		 GO
State 11111111111111111111
REGISTERING
1111111111111111111		 VOTE-BY-MAIL VOTE EARLY IN PERSON ON 11/6
HOW WHERE
Mail by
Deadline		 In Person
Deadline		 Click
Below		 Mail by
Deadline		 In Person
Deadline		 Exc
Req?		 Click
Below		 Dates
(Some sites closed Sat and/or Sun)		 Exc
Req?		 Click
Below		 Click
Below		 Click
Below
Connecticut   PM or REC
 by
 10/23		 10/30 GO  No
deadline stated		 No
deadline stated		 YES GO   By Absentee Ballot
at your Town Clerk		 YES GO D
GO
Non-Strict		 GO
Delaware REC by
10/13		 10/13 GO 11/2 11/2 YES GO By Absentee Ballot at your county department
 until 12 noon
 on 11/5		 YES GO
GO
Non-Strict		 GO
District of Columbia 10/9 (By Mail)

By 4:45 pm, 10/19 (online)		 10/19
and then again on election day 		GO REC by

10/30		   10/30 NO GO 10/22 - 11/3 NO GO GO GO
Florida REC by
10/9		 10/9 GO REC by
10/31		  11/6 NO GO 10/27 - 11/3 NO GO Photo
 GO
Non-Strict		 GO
Georgia REC by

10/9		 10/9 GO 11/2 11/2 NO GO 10/15 - 11/2 NO GO Photo
 GO
Strict		 GO
Hawaii REC by

10/8		 10/8 GO  REC by

 4:30 pm on

10/30		  4:30 pm on

10/30		 NO GO 10/23 - 11/3 NO GO Photo
 GO
Non-Strict		 GO
State 11111111111111111111
REGISTERING
1111111111111111111		 VOTE-BY-MAIL VOTE EARLY IN PERSON ON 11/6
HOW WHERE
Mail by
Deadline		 In Person
Deadline		 Click
Below		 Mail by
Deadline		 In Person
Deadline		 Exc
Req?		 Click
Below		 Dates
(Some sites closed Sat and/or Sun)		 Exc
Req?		 Click
Below		 Click
Below		 Click
Below
Idaho 10/12 10/12
and then again on election day		 GO REC by

10/31		  10/31 NO GO By absentee ballot,

9/21 - 5 pm, 11/2

at (usually)
your county clerk		 NO GO Photo
 GO
Non-Strict		 GO
Illinois REC by

10/9		 10/9, then thru 11/3 via grace period GO REC by

11/1		 11/5 NO GO 10/22 - 11/3 NO GO GO GO
Indiana 10/9 10/9 GO REC by

10/29		  10/29 YES GO By absentee ballot,

10/9 - 11/5

at your county clerk 		NO GO Gov. Photo
 GO
Strict w/sus		 GO
Iowa REC by

10/27		 10/27
and then again on election day		 GO REC by
 
 5 pm on

11/2		 5 pm on
  
11/2		 NO GO By absentee ballot,

9/27 - 11/5

at your county auditor		 NO GO GO GO
Kansas 10/16 10/16 GO REC by

11/2		 11/2 NO GO 10/17 - 11/5 NO GO Photo
 GO
Strict w/sus		 GO
Kentucky 10/9 10/9 GO   REC by

10/30		   10/30 YES GO By Absentee Ballot at
County Clerks starting 
no later than 10/12,
through 11/6		 YES GO
GO
Non-Strict		 GO
State 11111111111111111111
REGISTERING
1111111111111111111		 VOTE-BY-MAIL VOTE EARLY IN PERSON ON 11/6
HOW WHERE
Mail by
Deadline		 In Person
Deadline		 Click
Below		 Mail by
Deadline		 In Person
Deadline		 Exc
Req?		 Click
Below		 Dates
(Some sites closed Sat and/or Sun)		 Exc
Req?		 Click
Below		 Click
Below		 Click
Below
Louisiana REC by

10/9		 10/9 GO REC before
 
 4:30 pm

on 11/2		 Before
 
 4:30 pm

on 11/2		 YES GO 10/23 - 10/30 NO GO Photo
 GO
Non-Strict		 GO
Maine REC by

10/16		 No deadline to register in person at your town office or city hall. GO REC by
11/1		 11/1 NO GO By Abs. Ballot available at the Municipal Clerks beginning between 9/22 and 10/7, thru 11/6 NO GO  GO GO
Maryland 10/16;
 (by 9 pm if done online.)		 10/16 GO REC by 5 pm

(11:59 if faxed)  
on 10/30		 8 pm on

10/30		 NO GO 10/27 - 11/1 NO GO GO GO
Massachusetts 10/17 10/17 GO REC by
12 noon on
11/5		 12 noon on

11/5		 YES GO  By absentee ballot available
at your local election office.
    Plan to visit two or three
   weeks before 11/6.		 YES GO GO GO
Michigan REC by

10/9		 10/9 GO REC by
 
2 pm on

11/3		 2 pm on

11/3		 YES GO By 2 pm on

11/3 at your

 City or Township Clerk		 YES GO Photo
 GO
Non-Strict		 GO
Minnesota REC by

10/16		 10/16
and then again on election day at your polling place		 GO No
deadline stated		 No
deadline stated		 YES GO   By absentee ballot at your
 County Auditor's office (and in some cases your City or Township Clerk's office)  9/21 - 11/6		 YES GO GO GO
State 11111111111111111111
REGISTERING
1111111111111111111		 VOTE-BY-MAIL VOTE EARLY IN PERSON ON 11/6
HOW WHERE
Mail by
Deadline		 In Person
Deadline		 Click
Below		 Mail by
Deadline		 In Person
Deadline		 Exc
Req?		 Click
Below		 Dates
(Some sites closed Sat and/or Sun)		 Exc
Req?		 Click
Below		 Click
Below		 Click
Below
Mississippi 10/6 10/6 GO No
deadline stated		 No
deadline stated		 YES GO By absentee ballot, ending
 3 pm, 11/3 at your
Circuit Clerk's Office		 YES GO GO GO
Missouri 10/10 10/10 GO REC by

 5 pm on

10/31		 5 pm on

11/5		 YES GO By absentee ballot, ending
 5 pm, 11/5 at your
Local Election Authority's Office		 YES GO
GO
Semi-Strict		 GO
Montana REC by
5 pm on
10/9		 10/9, then late registration
10/10 - 11/6		 GO REC by
12 noon on
11/5		 12 noon on

11/5		 NO GO By absentee ballot at your
County Election Office
starting no later than
Oct 7th and ending at
12 noon on 11/5		 NO GO
GO
Non-Strict		 GO
Nebraska 10/19 Before 6 pm

 on 10/26		 GO REC by

 4 pm on

10/31		 4 pm on

10/31		 NO GO 10/1 - 11/5 NO GO GO GO
Nevada REC by
 
10/6		 10/16 GO REC before
  
 5 pm

on 10/30		 Before
 
 5 pm

on 10/30		 NO GO 10/20 - 11/2 NO GO GO GO
New Hampshire REC by
 
10/27		 10/27
and then again on election day 		GO REC by

 5 pm on

11/5		 5 pm on

11/5		 YES GO By absentee ballot at your
Town or City Clerk
ending at
5 pm on 11/5 		 YES GO Photo
 GO
Non-Strict		 GO
State 11111111111111111111
REGISTERING
1111111111111111111		 VOTE-BY-MAIL VOTE EARLY IN PERSON ON 11/6
HOW WHERE
Mail by
Deadline		 In Person
Deadline		 Click
Below		 Mail by
Deadline		 In Person
Deadline		 Exc
Req?		 Click
Below		 Dates
(Some sites closed Sat and/or Sun)		 Exc
Req?		 Click
Below		 Click
Below		 Click
Below
New Jersey REC by
 
10/16		 10/16 GO REC by
10/30		 3 pm on

11/5		 NO GO By absentee ballot, ending
 3 pm, 11/5 at your
County Clerk's Office		 NO GO GO GO
New Mexico REC by
 
10/9		 10/9 GO REC by

 5 pm on

11/2
 5 pm on

11/2		 NO GO 10/9 - 11/3 NO GO  GO GO
New York 10/12 and REC by
10/17		  10/12 GO 10/30 11/5 YES GO By Absentee Ballot at
County Boards starting 
no later than 10/5,
through 11/5		 YES GO GO GO
North Carolina 10/12,
then while
voting early
10/18 - 11/3 		10/12 GO REC by

 5 pm on

10/30		 5 pm on

10/30		 NO GO 10/18 - 11/3 NO GO GO GO
North Dakota N/A N/A N/A No
deadline stated		 No
deadline stated		 NO GO At some early
voting precincts
10/22 - 11/5		 NO GO
GO
Non-Strict		 GO
Ohio 10/9 10/9 GO REC by
12 noon on
11/3
 12 noon on

11/5		 NO GO 10/2 - 11/5 NO GO
GO
Non-Strict		 GO
State 11111111111111111111
REGISTERING
1111111111111111111		 VOTE-BY-MAIL VOTE EARLY IN PERSON ON 11/6
HOW WHERE
Mail by
Deadline		 In Person
Deadline		 Click
Below		 Mail by
Deadline		 In Person
Deadline		 Exc
Req?		 Click
Below		 Dates
(Some sites closed Sat and/or Sun)		 Exc
Req?		 Click
Below		 Click
Below		 Click
Below
Oklahoma REC by
 
10/12		 10/12 GO REC by

 5 pm on

10/31		 5 pm on

10/31		 NO GO 11/2 - 11/5 NO GO Gov.
GO
 Non-Strict		 GO
Oregon REC by
 
10/16		 10/16 GO All Registered Voters receive ballots in the mail.  Absentee ballots (mailed earlier / elsewhere) are also available (Exc. Required.)

DROP BOX LOCATOR		 N/A GO All Registered Voters receive ballots in the mail.  DROP BOX LOCATOR N/A N/A N/A N/A
Pennsylvania 10/9 10/9 GO REC by

 5 pm on

10/30		 5 pm on

10/30		 YES GO By absentee ballot,
only in some counties.		 YES GO GO GO
Rhode Island REC by
10/6, then on 11/6 (for Pres/VP only)		 10/6 GO REC by
4 pm on

10/16		 4 pm on
10/16		 YES
 (but note new 4th reason)		 GO Only by
Emergency Ballot

          10/17 - 4 pm, 11/5 		 YES  GO 
GO
Non-Strict		 GO
South Carolina 10/6 10/6 GO REC by

 5 pm on

11/2		 5 pm on

11/2		 YES GO   By absentee ballot available
at your County Voter Registration Board
through 11/5.		 YES GO Gov.
 GO
Non-Strict		 GO
South Dakota REC by
 
10/22		 10/22 GO REC by

 3 pm on

11/6		 3 pm on

11/6		 NO GO 9/21 - 11/6 NO GO Photo
 GO
Non-Strict		 GO
State 11111111111111111111
REGISTERING
1111111111111111111		 VOTE-BY-MAIL VOTE EARLY IN PERSON ON 11/6
HOW WHERE
Mail by
Deadline		 In Person
Deadline		 Click
Below		 Mail by
Deadline		 In Person
Deadline		 Exc
Req?		 Click
Below		 Dates
(Some sites closed Sat and/or Sun)		 Exc
Req?		 Click
Below		 Click
Below		 Click
Below
Tennessee  10/6 10/6 GO REC by
10/30		 10/30 YES GO 10/17 - 11/1 NO GO Gov. Photo
 GO
Strict w/sus		 GO
Texas  10/9 10/9 GO REC by
10/30		 10/30 YES GO 10/22 - 11/2 NO GO D
 GO
Strict		 GO
Utah 10/9 10/22

(is also the online deadline)		 GO REC by
11/2		 11/2 NO GO 10/23 - 11/2 NO GO
GO
Non-Strict		  GO
Vermont REC by
 
10/31		 10/31 GO REC by
 5 pm (or close of the Town Clerk's office)
 on 11/5		 5 pm
(or close of the Town Clerk's office)
on 11/5		 NO GO  9/22 - 11/5
at the
Town Clerk's Office		 NO GO GO GO
Virginia 10/15 10/15 GO REC by

 5 pm on

10/30		   5 pm on

10/30		 YES GO By absentee ballot
at your General Registrar's Office
as early as 9/21, until 11/3		 YES GO
GO
Strict w/sus		 GO
Washington 10/6,
10/8 (online)		 Only on 10/29 and only for reg for the 1st time (not for changing info) GO All Registered Voters receive ballots in the mail.  Absentee Ballots are also available, no excused required. 

DROP BOX LOCATOR		 N/A GO All Registered Voters receive ballots
in the mail. 
DROP BOX LOCATOR		 N/A N/A N/A N/A
State 11111111111111111111
REGISTERING
1111111111111111111		 VOTE-BY-MAIL VOTE EARLY IN PERSON ON 11/6
HOW WHERE
Mail by
Deadline		 In Person
Deadline		 Click
Below		 Mail by
Deadline		 In Person
Deadline		 Exc
Req?		 Click
Below		 Dates
(Some sites closed Sat and/or Sun)		 Exc
Req?		 Click
Below		 Click
Below		 Click
Below
West Virginia REC by
 
10/16		 10/16 GO REC by
10/31		 10/31 YES GO 10/24 - 11/3 NO GO GO GO
Wisconsin REC by
 
10/17		 10/17
and then again on election day		 GO REC by

 5 pm on

11/1		  5 pm on

11/1		 NO GO By absentee ballot
at your local
Municipal Clerk's office
10/22 - 11/2 		NO GO GO GO
Wyoming REC by
 
10/23  		 10/23
and then again on election day at your polling place		 GO REC by
11/5		 11/5 NO GO By absentee ballot
at your local
County Clerk's office
9/27 - 11/5		 NO GO GO GO
State 11111111111111111111
REGISTERING
1111111111111111111		 VOTE-BY-MAIL VOTE EARLY IN PERSON ON 11/6
HOW WHERE
Mail by
Deadline		 In Person
Deadline		 Click
Above		 Mail by
Deadline		 In Person
Deadline		 Exc
Req?		 Click
Above		 Dates
(Some sites closed Sat and/or Sun)		 Exc
Req?		 Click
Above		 Click
Above		 Click
Above

This site is currently non-partisan and does not request (nor even has a place to input) personal information.  It was conceived and designed by Gary Pearlson, who will endeavor to keep the links, deadlines, etc., up to date (but cant promise they always will be or that the information contained on the websites linked above is completely accurate.)

Please email your questions, comments and suggestions to:  admin@howtovoteearly.com      © 2008, 2010, 2012 Gary Pearlson