Election Day is Tuesday, November 3, 2020.
If you have specific questions about any aspect of the voting process,
please visit your county or state’s election website.
Voter Information and 2020 Election Support
Hover over your State to see important voter dates and deadlines.
Alabama
Registration deadlines
Online: Oct. 19 by 11:59 p.m.
By mail: Postmarked by Oct. 19
In person: Oct. 19 by close of business
Absentee ballot deadlines
Request: Oct. 29 by close of business
Return by mail: Postmarked by Nov. 2
Return in person: Nov. 2 by 5:00 p.m.
Additional information
Alabama does not offer Early Voting.
Alaska
Registration deadlines
Online: Oct. 4
By mail: Postmarked by Oct. 4
In person: Oct. 4
Absentee ballot deadlines
Request: Oct. 24
Return by mail: Postmarked by Nov. 3
Early voting
Oct. 19 - Nov. 2, but dates and hours may vary based on where you live
Arizona
Registration deadlines
Online: Oct. 5
By mail: Postmarked by Oct. 5
In person: Oct. 5
Absentee ballot deadlines
Request: Oct. 23
Return by mail: Received by Nov. 3
Return in person: Nov. 3 by 7:00 p.m.
Early voting
Oct. 7 - Oct. 30, but dates and hours may vary based on where you live
Arkansas
Registration deadlines
By mail: Postmarked by Oct. 5
In person: Oct. 5
Absentee ballot deadlines
Request: Oct. 27
Return by mail: Received by Nov. 3
Return in person: Nov. 2 by close of business
Early voting
Oct. 19 - Nov. 2, but dates and hours may vary based on where you live
California
Registration deadlines
Online: Oct. 19
By mail: Postmarked by Oct. 19
In person: Nov. 3
Absentee ballot deadlines
Every resident of California that is registered to vote will automatically be sent a mail-in
ballot without having to request one.
Return by mail: Postmarked by Nov. 3
Return in person: Nov. 3 by 8:00 p.m.
Early voting
Oct. 5 - Nov. 2, but dates and hours may vary based on where you live
Additional information
You can also register and vote on Election Day at a polling site.
Colorado
Registration deadlines
Online: Oct. 26
By mail: Received by Oct. 26
In person: Nov. 3
Absentee ballot deadlines
Every resident of Colorado that is registered to vote will automatically be sent a mail-in
ballot without having to request one.
Return by mail: Received by Nov. 3
Return in person: Nov. 3 by 7:00 p.m.
Early voting
Oct. 19 - Nov. 2, but dates and hours may vary based on where you live
Additional information
If you miss online or mail registration deadlines, you will not receive a ballot by mail, but
you can still vote in person at a voter service and polling center. You can also register and
vote on Election Day at a polling site.
Connecticut
Registration deadlines
Online: Oct. 27
By mail: Postmarked by Oct. 27
In person: Oct. 27
Absentee ballot deadlines
Request: Nov. 2
Return by mail: Received by Nov. 3
Return in person: Nov. 3 by 8:00 p.m.
Additional information
Connecticut does not offer Early Voting.
Delaware
Registration deadlines
Online: Oct. 10
By mail: Postmarked by Oct. 10
In person: Oct. 10
Absentee ballot deadlines
Request: Oct. 30
Return by mail: Received by Nov. 3
Return in person: Nov. 3 by 8:00 p.m.
Additional information
Delaware does not offer Early Voting.
Washington DC
Registration deadlines
Online: Oct. 13
By mail: Received by Oct. 13
In person: Nov. 3
Absentee ballot deadlines
Every resident of D.C. that is registered to vote will automatically be sent a mail-in ballot
without having to request one.
Return by mail: Postmarked by Nov. 3
Return in person: Nov. 3 by 8:00 p.m.
Early voting
Oct. 27 - Nov. 2, but dates and hours may vary based on where you live
Florida
Registration deadlines
Online: Oct. 5
By mail: Postmarked by Oct. 5
In person: Oct. 5
Absentee ballot deadlines
Request: Oct. 24
Return by mail: Received by Nov. 3
Return in person: Nov. 3 by 7:00 p.m.
Early voting
Oct. 24 - Oct. 31, but dates and hours may vary based on where you live
Georgia
Registration deadlines
Online: Oct. 5
By mail: Postmarked by Oct. 5
In person: Oct. 5
Absentee ballot deadlines
Request: Oct. 30
Return by mail: Postmarked by Nov. 3
Return in person: Nov. 3 by 7:00 p.m.
Early voting
Oct. 12 - Oct. 30, but dates and hours may vary based on where you live
Hawaii
Registration deadlines
Online: Oct. 5
By mail: Postmarked by Oct. 5
In person: Oct. 5
Every resident of Hawaii that is registered to vote will automatically be sent a mail-in ballot
without having to request one.
Return by mail: Received by Nov. 3
Return in person: Nov. 3 by 7:00 p.m.
Early voting
Oct. 20 - Nov. 2, but dates and hours may vary based on where you live
Additional information
You can also register and vote on Election Day. Same-day registration is available during early
voting through Election Day
Idaho
Registration deadlines
Online: Oct. 9
By mail: Postmarked by Oct. 9
In person: Oct. 9
Absentee ballot deadlines
Request: Oct. 23
Return by mail: Received by Nov. 3
Return in person: Nov. 3 by 8:00 p.m.
Early voting
Oct. 19 - Oct. 30, but dates and hours may vary based on where you live
Additional information
You can also register and vote on Election Day
Illinois
Registration deadlines
Online: Oct. 18
By mail: Postmarked by Oct. 6
In person: Nov. 3
Absentee ballot deadlines
Request: Oct. 29
Return by mail: Postmarked by Nov. 3
Early voting
Sep. 24 - Nov. 2, but dates and hours may vary based on where you live
Additional information
You can also register and vote on Election Day at a polling site.
Indiana
Registration deadlines
Online: Oct. 5
By mail: Postmarked by Oct. 5
In person: Oct. 5
Absentee ballot deadlines
Request: Oct. 22
Return by mail: Received by Nov. 3
Return in person: Nov. 3 by 12:00 p.m.
Early voting
Oct. 6 - Nov. 2, but dates and hours may vary based on where you live
Iowa
Registration deadlines
Online: Oct. 24
By mail: Received by Oct. 24
In person: Oct. 24 by 5:00 p.m.
Absentee ballot deadlines
Request: Oct. 24 by 5:00 p.m.
Return by mail: Received by Nov. 3
Return in person: Nov. 3 by close of polls
Early voting
Oct. 5 - Nov. 2, but dates and hours may vary based on where you live
Additional information
You can also register and vote on Election Day. You can also register and vote an absentee
ballot at the same time after Oct 24 through Nov 2
Kansas
Registration deadlines
Online: Oct. 13
By mail: Postmarked by Oct. 13
In person: Oct. 13
Absentee ballot deadlines
Request: Oct. 27
Return by mail: Postmarked by Nov. 3
Early voting
Oct. 14 - Nov. 2, but dates and hours may vary based on where you live
Kentucky
Registration deadlines
Online: Oct. 5
By mail: Received by Oct. 5
In person: Oct. 5
Absentee ballot deadlines
Request: Oct. 9
Return by mail: Postmarked by Nov. 3
Return in person: Nov. 3 by 6:00 p.m.
Early voting
Oct. 13 - Nov. 2, but dates and hours may vary based on where you live
Louisiana
Registration deadlines
Online: Oct. 13
By mail: Postmarked by Oct. 5
In person: Oct. 5
Absentee ballot deadlines
Request: Oct. 30
Return by mail: Received by Nov. 2
Return in person: Nov. 2 by 4:30 p.m.
Early voting
Oct. 16 - Oct. 27, but dates and hours may vary based on where you live
Maine
Registration deadlines
By mail: Received by Oct. 19
In person: Nov. 3
Absentee ballot deadlines
Request: Oct. 29
Return by mail: Received by Nov. 3
Return in person: Nov. 3 by 8:00 p.m.
Early voting
Oct. 5 - Oct. 30, but dates and hours may vary based on where you live
Additional information
You can also register and vote on Election Day
Maryland
Registration deadlines
Online: Oct. 13
By mail: Postmarked by Oct. 13
In person: Oct. 13
Absentee ballot deadlines
Request: Oct. 20
Return by mail: Postmarked by Nov. 3
Return in person: Nov. 3 by 8:00 p.m.
Early voting
Oct. 26 - Nov. 2, but dates and hours may vary based on where you live
Additional information
You can also register and vote during early voting and on Election Day
Massachusetts
Registration deadlines
Online: Oct. 24
By mail: Postmarked by Oct. 24
In person: Oct. 24
Absentee ballot deadlines
Request: Oct. 28 by 5:00 p.m.
Return by mail: Postmarked by Nov. 3
Return in person: Nov. 3 by close of polls
Early voting
Oct. 17 - Oct. 30, but dates and hours may vary based on where you live
Michigan
Registration deadlines
Online: Oct. 19
By mail: Postmarked by Oct. 19
In person: Nov. 3
Absentee ballot deadlines
Request: Oct. 30 by 5:00 p.m.
Return by mail: Postmarked by Nov. 3
Return in person: Nov. 3 by 8:00 p.m.
Early voting
Sep. 24 - Nov. 2, but dates and hours may vary based on where you live
Additional information
Michigan does offer registration on Election Day at designated locations in each town. This is
not available at typical polling places.
Minnesota
Registration deadlines
Online: Oct. 13
By mail: Received by Oct. 13
In person: Nov. 3
Absentee ballot deadlines
Request: Nov. 2
Return by mail: Postmarked by Nov. 3
Return in person: Nov. 3 by 3:00 p.m.
Early voting
Sep. 18 - Nov. 2, but dates and hours may vary based on where you live
Additional information
You can also register and vote on Election Day
Mississippi
Registration deadlines
By mail: Postmarked by Oct. 5
In person: Oct. 5
Absentee ballot deadlines
Request: Nov. 2
Return by mail: Received by Nov. 3
Additional information
Mississippi does not offer Early Voting.
Missouri
Registration deadlines
Online: Oct. 7
By mail: Postmarked by Oct. 7
In person: Oct. 7
Absentee ballot deadlines
Request: Oct. 21
Return by mail: Received by Nov. 3
Return in person: Nov. 3 by 7:00 p.m.
Additional information
Missouri does not offer Early Voting.
Montana
Registration deadlines
By mail: Postmarked by Oct. 26
In person: Nov. 3
Absentee ballot deadlines
Request: Nov. 2
Return by mail: Received by Nov. 3
Return in person: Nov. 3 by 8:00 p.m.
Early voting
Oct. 5 - Nov. 2, but dates and hours may vary based on where you live
Nebraska
Registration deadlines
Online: Oct. 16
By mail: Postmarked by Oct. 16
In person: Oct. 23
Absentee ballot deadlines
Request: Oct. 23
Return by mail: Received by Nov. 3
Return in person: Nov. 3 by 8:00 p.m. CT/7:00 p.m. MT
Early voting
Oct. 5 - Nov. 2, but dates and hours may vary based on where you live
Additional information
The deadline to return a voter registration form with an early voting ballot in person is
Election Day.
Nevada
Registration deadlines
Online: Oct. 29
By mail: Postmarked by Oct. 6
In person: Oct. 6
Absentee ballot deadlines
Every resident of Nevada that is registered to vote will automatically be sent a mail-in ballot
without having to request one.
Return by mail: Postmarked by Nov. 3
Return in person: Nov. 3 by 7:00 p.m.
Early voting
Oct. 17 - Oct. 30, but dates and hours may vary based on where you live
Additional information
You can also register and vote on Election Day. Same-day voter registration is also available at
any in-person polling place during the 14-day early voting period.
New Hampshire
Registration deadlines
By mail: Oct. 21
Absentee ballot deadlines
Request: Nov. 2
Return by mail: Received by Nov. 3
Return in person: Nov. 3 by 5:00 p.m.
Additional information
You can also register and vote on Election Day. New Hampshire does not offer Early Voting.
New Jersey
Registration deadlines
Online: Oct. 13
By mail: Postmarked by Oct. 13
In person: Oct. 13
Absentee ballot deadlines
Every resident of New Jersey that is registered to vote will automatically be sent a mail-in
ballot without having to request one.
Return by mail: Postmarked by Nov. 3
Return in person: Nov. 3 by close of polls
Early voting
Sep. 19 - Nov. 2, but dates and hours may vary based on where you live
New Mexico
Registration deadlines
Online: Oct. 6
By mail: Postmarked by Oct. 6
In person: Oct. 31
Absentee ballot deadlines
Request: Oct. 20
Return by mail: Received by Nov. 3
Return in person: Nov. 3 by 7:00 p.m.
Early voting
Oct. 17 - Oct. 31, but dates and hours may vary based on where you live
New York
Registration deadlines
Online: Oct. 9
By mail: Postmarked by Oct. 9
In person: Oct. 9
Absentee ballot deadlines
Request: Oct. 27
Return by mail: Postmarked by Nov. 3
Return in person: Nov. 3 by 9:00 p.m.
Early voting
Oct. 24 - Nov. 1, but dates and hours may vary based on where you live
North Carolina
Registration deadlines
Online: Oct. 9
By mail: Postmarked by Oct. 9
In person: Oct. 9
Absentee ballot deadlines
Request: Oct. 27
Return by mail: Postmarked by Nov. 3
Return in person: Nov. 3 by 5:00 p.m.
Early voting
Oct. 15 - Oct. 31, but dates and hours may vary based on where you live
Additional information
After the regular voter registration deadline of Friday, October 9, 2020, you can register and
vote in person at one-stop sites during the early voting period.
North Dakota
Registration deadlines
North Dakota does not register voters. If you are an eligible resident of North Dakota, you are
already registered!
Absentee ballot deadlines
Request: Nov. 2
Return by mail: Postmarked by Nov. 2
Early voting
Oct. 19 - Nov. 2, but dates and hours may vary based on where you live
Ohio
Registration deadlines
Online: Oct. 5
By mail: Postmarked by Oct. 5
In person: Oct. 5
Absentee ballot deadlines
Request: Oct. 31
Return by mail: Postmarked by Nov. 2
Return in person: Nov. 3 by 7:30 p.m.
Early voting
Oct. 6 - Nov. 2, but dates and hours may vary based on where you live
Oklahoma
Registration deadlines
By mail: Postmarked by Oct. 9
In person: Oct. 9
Absentee ballot deadlines
Request: Oct. 27 by 5:00 p.m.
Return by mail: Received by Nov. 3
Return in person: Nov. 2 by close of business
Early voting
Oct. 29 - Oct. 31, but dates and hours may vary based on where you live
Oregon
Registration deadlines
Online: Oct. 13
By mail: Postmarked by Oct. 13
In person: Oct. 13
Absentee ballot deadlines
Every resident of Oregon that is registered to vote will automatically be sent a mail-in ballot
without having to request one.
Return by mail: Received by Nov. 3
Return in person: Nov. 3 by 8:00 p.m.
Additional information
Oregon's early voting is by mail. Ballot drop box sites are open 18-20 days before Election Day,
depending on your area. Oct 28 is the last day ballots can be mailed. After this date, ballots
must be put into a drop box.
Pennsylvania
Registration deadlines
Online: Oct. 19
By mail: Postmarked by Oct. 19
In person: Oct. 19
Absentee ballot deadlines
Request: Oct. 27
Return by mail: Postmarked by Nov. 3
Return in person: Nov. 3 by 8:00 p.m.
Early voting
Sep. 14 - Oct. 27, but dates and hours may vary based on where you live
Rhode Island
Registra
tion deadlines
Online: Oct. 4
By mail: Postmarked by Oct. 4
In person: Oct. 4
Absentee ballot deadlines
Request: Oct. 13
Return by mail: Received by Nov. 3
Return in person: Nov. 3 by 8:00 p.m.
Early voting
Oct. 14 - Nov. 2, but dates and hours may vary based on where you live
South Carolina
Registration deadlines
Online: Oct. 4
By mail: Postmarked by Oct. 5
In person: Oct. 2
Absentee ballot deadlines
Request: Oct. 24
Return by mail: Received by Nov. 3
Return in person: Nov. 3 by 7:00 p.m.
Early voting
Oct. 5 - Nov. 2, but dates and hours may vary based on where you live
South Dakota
Registration deadlines By mail: Received by Oct. 19 In person: Oct. 19
Absentee ballot deadlines Request: Nov. 2 Return by mail: Received by Nov. 3 Return in person: Nov. 3
Early voting Sep. 18 - Nov. 2, but dates and hours may vary based on where you live
Tennessee
Registration deadlines
Online: Oct. 5
By mail: Postmarked by Oct. 5
In person: Oct. 5
Absentee ballot deadlines
Request: Oct. 27
Return by mail: Received by Nov. 3
Early voting
Oct. 14 - Oct. 29, but dates and hours may vary based on where you live
Texas
Registration deadlines
By mail: Postmarked by Oct. 5
In person: Oct. 5
Absentee ballot deadlines
Request: Oct. 23
Return by mail: Postmarked by Nov. 3
Early voting
Oct. 13 - Oct. 30, but dates and hours may vary based on where you live
Utah
Registration deadlines
Online: Oct. 23
By mail: Received by Oct. 23
Absentee ballot deadlines
Every resident of Utah that is registered to vote will automatically be sent a mail-in ballot
without having to request one.
Return by mail: Postmarked by Nov. 2
Return in person: Nov. 3 by 8:00 p.m.
Early voting
Oct. 20 - Oct. 30, but dates and hours may vary based on where you live
Additional information
You can also register and vote on Election Day
Vermont
Registration deadlines
No deadline for online registration
Absentee ballot deadlines
Every resident of Vermont that is registered to vote will automatically be sent a mail-in ballot
without having to request one.
Return by mail: Received by Nov. 2
Return in person: Nov. 3 by 7:00 p.m.
Early voting
Sep. 21 - Nov. 2, but dates and hours may vary based on where you live
Additional information
You can also register and vote on Election Day
Virginia
Registration deadlines
Online: Oct. 13
By mail: Postmarked by Oct. 13
In person: Oct. 13
Absentee ballot deadlines
Request: Oct. 23
Return by mail: Postmarked by Nov. 3
Return in person: Nov. 3 by 7:00 p.m.
Early voting
Sep. 18 - Oct. 31, but dates and hours may vary based on where you live
Washington State
Registration deadlines
Online: Oct. 26
By mail: Received by Oct. 26
In person: Nov. 3
Absentee ballot deadlines
Every resident of Washington that is registered to vote will automatically be sent a mail-in
ballot without having to request one.
Return by mail: Postmarked by Nov. 3
Return in person: Nov. 3 by 8:00 p.m.
Early voting
Oct. 16 - Nov. 3, but dates and hours may vary based on where you live
Additional information
The deadline to update an existing voter registration with a new name or address is Monday,
October 26, 2020. You can also register and vote on Election Day.
West Virginia
Registration deadlines
Online: Oct. 13
By mail: Postmarked by Oct. 13
In person: Oct. 13
Absentee ballot deadlines
Request: Oct. 28
Return by mail: Postmarked by Nov. 3
Return in person: Nov. 2
Early voting
Oct. 21 - Oct. 31, but dates and hours may vary based on where you live
Wisconsin
Registration deadlines
Online: Oct. 14
By mail: Postmarked by Oct. 14
In person: Oct. 30
Absentee ballot deadlines
Request: Oct. 29
Return by mail: Received by Nov. 3
Early voting
Oct. 20 - Nov. 1, but dates and hours may vary based on where you live
Additional information
You can also register and vote on Election Day
Wyoming
Registration deadlines
By mail: Received by Oct. 19
In person: Nov. 2
Absentee ballot deadlines
Request: Nov. 2
Return by mail: Received by Nov. 3
Return in person: Nov. 3 by 7:00 p.m.
Early voting
Sep. 18 - Nov. 2, but dates and hours may vary based on where you live
Additional information
You can also register and vote on Election Day
Why is voting important?
As a voter, you will help decide who leads us. By voting, you are choosing representatives and legislation that will affect you and your family for years to come. Every time you exercise your right to vote, our democracy grows stronger. Most American citizens 18 and older are eligible to vote, but check with your state directly if you believe you may be ineligible. Green card holders and people with K-1 visas cannot vote.
How do I vote?
This information was updated as of 08/18/2020. For more up to date information closer to the election, visit the Secretary of State’s election website for your state.
1. Register to Vote
To vote, you first need to register with the state in which you live. Registering simply lets your state know that you’re interested in voting in the upcoming election cycle. You will need to re-register if you’ve moved recently, changed your name, or haven’t voted in the last 4 years. Some states allow you to register online, and all states allow you to register in person or by mail.
2. Apply for a mail-in/absentee ballot OR know your polling site if voting in person
After you’ve registered, your state will proceed in one of a few different ways. Traditionally, many Americans have voted in person on Election Day and the week(s) leading up to it. Due to COVID-19 this year, many states are allowing voters to vote by mail from the safety of their homes.
If you live in Washington, California, Oregon, Nevada, Utah, DC, Vermont, Colorado or Hawaii, your state will automatically mail you a ballot before the election without you having to ask for one. You can fill this out at home in privacy and either 1. Mail it back to the address they provide you or 2. Drop it off in a ballot drop box across your state.
If you live in any other state, you will need to request an absentee ballot if you do not want to vote in person. 34 states are allowing voters to cite COVID-19 as a reason for an absentee ballot, but in Texas, Louisiana, Mississippi, Tennessee, Kentucky, Indiana, South Carolina and New York, you will need to cite another reason. This may include having a disability, caring for a loved one, being out of the state at the time of the election, and more.
Is voting by mail safe?
Despite some critics, studies have continuously proven that voting by mail is very safe and the chance of voter fraud is quite low. (https://www.annualreviews.org/doi/10.1146/annurev.polisci.11.053006.190912
3. Know your early voting dates
Everyone also has the right to partake in early voting. Early voting exists to allow people more time to vote than on one Election Day. Some people will not be able to take off from work, leave a loved one unattended, or they may be out of town on Election Day. Luckily, most states allow people to vote by mail and in person one or two weeks before the actual Election Day. Voting early (by mail or in person) can help you avoid long lines at polling sites, and it counts just as much as a vote on Election Day.
Dates differ by state, but you can find your state’s early voting start and end dates here.
4. Educate yourself about the candidates and their political stances
Educating yourself about candidates and their viewpoints is the most important part of the voting process. Learn about the candidates and their stances by visiting candidate websites, searching for specific issues you care about, or utilizing sites that conduct side by side comparisons.
5. VOTE!
November 3, 2020 is the General Election, so make plans to send in your ballot by mail before this date, or visit your assigned polling site by or on this day.
Other Resources
Know Your Polling Rights video
English | Korean | Chinese | Vietnamese
Language Access at the Polls
Many polling sites in counties across America are required to provide in-language materials based on population demographics. Find these counties and the languages they provide here
14 Facts about Voting
English | Korean | Chinese | Vietnamese | Tagalog | Japanese | Spanish
Washington State
Presidential Election Timeline (Spanish, Chinese, and Vietnamese)
AAPI Voter Fact Sheet
California
Steps for New California Voters (in 9 languages)
AAPI Voter Fact Sheet
New York
Presidential Election Timeline (Chinese and Korean)
AAPI Voter Fact Sheet
Illinois