Vote by mail and absentee voting: the basics

Voting by mail — often called absentee voting — lets eligible voters receive a ballot, mark it, and return it without going to a polling place on Election Day. Every state offers some form of mail or absentee voting, but the rules for who can use it, how to request a ballot, and how to return it are set by each state. This guide covers the general process and where to confirm your state's specifics.

Terminology: absentee vs. mail voting

States use different terms for similar processes:

Absentee ballot traditionally refers to a ballot requested by a voter who will not vote in person.
Mail ballot or vote-by-mail is used in states where ballots are sent to voters more broadly.
Some states require a stated reason (an "excuse") to vote absentee; others allow any registered voter to request a mail ballot; and some send ballots to all registered voters by default.

Which model your state uses — and what, if anything, you must do to receive a ballot — is defined by state law. Check usa.gov/absentee-voting to find your state's process.

Step 1: Confirm your registration

Mail voting starts with an accurate voter registration, since your ballot is sent to the address on file. Verify your registration and address through your state's lookup tool, reachable via nass.org/can-I-vote or vote.gov.

Step 2: Request your ballot (if required)

Depending on your state, you may need to submit a ballot application for each election, apply once for a full cycle, join a permanent mail voting list, or do nothing at all if ballots are mailed automatically.

Application methods commonly include online request portals, printable forms, and in-person requests at the local election office. Request deadlines vary by state and are often well before Election Day. Find your state's application process and deadline at usa.gov/absentee-voting.

Military and overseas voters

Uniformed service members, their eligible family members, and U.S. citizens living abroad use a federal process with its own forms and timelines. Official instructions are at fvap.gov.

Step 3: Complete your ballot carefully

When your ballot arrives, read the instructions before marking anything. States design their materials differently, but common steps include:

Marking the ballot with the type of pen or marker specified in the instructions
Placing the ballot in a secrecy sleeve or envelope, if provided
Signing the return envelope where indicated — many states verify mail ballots by comparing this signature to your registration record
Completing any additional fields your state requires, which in some states may include a witness signature or an ID number

Small errors, such as a missing signature, are among the most common reasons ballots need follow-up. Many states have a process for contacting voters to fix ("cure") such issues; whether and how that works depends on state law.

Step 4: Return your ballot on time

States accept returned ballots through some combination of:

Mail — allow enough time for delivery; whether a ballot must be received by Election Day or merely postmarked by then varies by state
Official drop boxes — available in some states and localities
In-person return — at the local election office or designated locations, and in some states at polling places

Rules about who may return a ballot on a voter's behalf also vary. Confirm your state's return options and deadlines at usa.gov/absentee-voting or with your local election office at usa.gov/election-office.

Step 5: Track your ballot

Many states offer ballot tracking tools that show when your ballot was mailed to you, received back, and accepted. Your state's official election website — reachable through vote.gov — will indicate whether tracking is available and how to use it.

How mail ballots are verified and counted

Election offices follow state-defined procedures to verify each returned ballot before counting, such as checking signatures or ID information, confirming the voter has not already voted, and logging the envelope in the voter record. When a ballot is accepted, records are updated so the same voter cannot also cast a counted ballot in person. The U.S. Election Assistance Commission publishes voter-facing explanations of election procedures at eac.gov/voters.

If you requested a mail ballot but want to vote in person

States have procedures for this situation — for example, surrendering the mail ballot at the polling place or casting a provisional ballot while officials confirm the mail ballot was not counted. The exact procedure is state-specific; ask your local election office in advance.

Verify with official sources

Mail and absentee voting rules — eligibility, request deadlines, return methods, and verification steps — vary by state and can change between elections. Confirm every detail with your state or local election office before you vote. Find your local election office at usa.gov/election-office and your state's official election website through vote.gov.