Early Voting States 2024

The 2020 Presidential Election was the 59th quadrennial presidential election. The contest was between former Vice President Joe Biden of the Democratic Party and President Donald Trump of the Republican Party. Election Day was on Tuesday, November 3, 2020, when United States citizens selected presidential electors who in turn voted on December 14, 2020. Because of the COVID-19 (coronavirus) outbreak, states made it easier and safer for citizens to vote by expanding absentee (mail-in) and early voting.

Absentee Voting

Absentee voting, or vote-by-mail, is different from early voting as it allows you to vote by mail. Every state has absentee voting but, rules for who can vote absentee vary.

All-mail voting means that a ballot is automatically mailed to every eligible voter without requiring a request or application. In these states, polling places may also be open and available for those wanting to vote in person. Six states have all-mail voting:

Other states also allow vote-by-mail for certain elections and for people who have a qualifying excuse. Again, your state’s rules may change because of the coronavirus pandemic, so be sure to check your state’s election website. Check under “absentee voting” if you don’t see information under “voting in person” or “early voting.”

Early Voting

Some people are not able to vote on Election Day for several reasons. However, some states may let you vote during a designated early voting period. Because of the coronavirus pandemic, your state’s rules regarding voting may change between now and election day, so check with your state’s election website.

Most states have early voting, which allows registered voters to vote on specified dates before Election Day. The date on which early voting begins may be as early as 45 days before the election or as late as the Friday before the election. Early voting periods range from four days to 45 days, with the average being 19 days. Of the states that allow in-person early voting, 24 states and the District of Columbia allow some early voting on weekends.

The National Conference of State Legislatures has published a page of each state’s period for early voting. You do not need an excuse to vote early.

Forty-six states and the District of Columbia allow early voting. Four states do not offer in-person early voting options. These states are:

Early Voting States 2024

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State
Voting Begins
Voting Ends
Notes
AlabamaNoneNone
Alabama does not have early voting.
Alaska15 days before Election DayThrough Election Day
Dates pertain to most locations
Arizona27 days before Election Day.Friday before Election Day
Some counties may offer emergency early voting through the day before Election Day.
Arkansas15 days before Election Day5pm the Monday before Election Day
California29 days before Election DayThe day before Election Day
State has all-mail voting. Ballots may be returned by mail or dropped off at early voting center. Da...
Colorado15 days before Election DayThrough Election Day
State has all-mail voting. Ballots may be returned by mail or dropped off at early voting center at ...
ConnecticutNoneNone
Connecticut does not have in-person early voting or no-excuse absentee voting.
DelawareAt least 10 days before Election DaySunday before Election Day
District of Columbia12 days before Election Day.Saturday before Election Day.
Varies. The period is set by the Board of Elections.
Florida10-15 days before Election Day2-3 days before Election Day
Exact dates vary by county and election. Voters should contact their county elections office to dete...
GeorgiaThe fourth Monday before Election DayFriday before Election Day
Hawaii10 days before Election Day7pm on Election Day
State has all-mail voting as of 2020. Ballots may be returned by mail or dropped off at early voting...
IdahoThe third Monday before Election Day5pm the Friday before Election Day
Not all counties allow early voting. Voters should contact their county elections office for additio...
Illinois40 days before Election Day1 day before Election Day
Voting beings 40 days prior in temporary locations and 15 days prior in permanent locations.
Indiana28 days before Election Day12pm the day before Election Day
Iowa20 days before Election Day5pm the day before Election Day
If the polls do not open until noon on Election Day, voters may early vote (in-person absentee votin...
Kansas7-20 days before Election Day (varies)Up to 12pm the day before Election Day
Varies by county. Voters should contact their county elections office for additional information.
KentuckyThursday before Election DaySaturday before Election Day
Louisiana14 days before Election Day7 days before Election Day
Maine30-45 days before Election Day3 business days before Election Day
Early voting begins whenever ballots are ready.
MarylandThe second Thursday before Election DayThursday before Election Day
Massachusetts10-17 days before Election DayThe fourth business day before Election Day
Early voting begins 17 days prior to state elections and 10 days before presidential or state primar...
Michigan40 days before Election DayThe day before Election Day
Varies by county. Voters should contact their county elections office for additional information.
Minnesota46 days before Election Day5pm the day before Election Day
MississippiNoneNone
Mississippi does not have in-person early voting or no-excuse absentee voting.
MissouriThe second Tuesday before Election DayNot specified
In-person no-excuse absentee voting takes place at locations designated by local county election aut...
Montana30 days before Election Day12pm the day before Election Day
Nebraska30 days before Election DayElection Day
NevadaThird Saturday before Election DayFriday before Election Day
State has all-mail voting. Ballots may be returned by mail or dropped off at early voting center at ...
New HampshireNoneNone
New Hampshire does not offer in-person early or no-excuse absentee voting.
New Jersey10-45 days before Election DaySunday before Election Day
While early voting begins 10 days before the election, in-person absentee voting begins 45 days befo...
New Mexico28 days before Election Day.Saturday before Election Day.
New York10 days before Election Day.2 days before Election Day.
North CarolinaThe third Thursday before Election Day or later3pm the Saturday before Election Day.
North Dakota15 days before Election DayThe day before Election Day
May vary by county. Voters should contact their county elections office for additional information.
Ohio29 days before Election Day2pm the Monday before Election Day
Date will be altered if this date or the voter registration deadline falls on a Sunday or holiday.
OklahomaWednesday (general elections) or Thursday (primaries) before Election Day.2pm the Saturday before Election Day.
OregonNoneNone
Oregon lacks early in-person voting, but has all-mail voting. Ballots may be returned by mail or dro...
PennsylvaniaVaries by county5pm Tuesday before Election Day (see notes)
No state-wide early voting, but individual counties may make absentee and mail-in ballot application...
Rhode Island20 days before Election DayThe day before Election Day
South Carolina14 days before Election DayDay before Election Day
South Dakota46 days before Election Day5pm the day before Election Day
Tennessee20 days before Election Day5-7 days before Election Day
Five days for most elections, seven days for a presidential preference primary.
Texas17 days before Election Day4 days before Election Day
If the 17th day before the election is a national holiday or weekend, voting begins on the next busi...
Utah14 days before Election DayFriday before Election Day
State has all-mail voting. Ballots may be returned by mail or dropped off at early voting center at ...
Vermont45 days before Election Day5pm the day before Election Day
Virginia45 days before Election Day5pm Saturday before Election Day
Washington18 days before Election Day8pm the day before Election Day
West Virginia13 days before Election Day3 days before Election Day
Wisconsin14 days (or less) before Election DaySunday before Election Day or earlier
Wyoming40 days before Election DayThe day before Election Day
showing: 51 rows

Early Voting States 2024

Sources