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Mail-In Voting

Your mail ballot counts when it follows your state's rules. In 2024, 98.8% of returned mail ballots were counted. Most of the rest were set aside for a signature problem, a missing field, or arriving a day too late, and all three are problems you can prevent.

By Resist Now Published Updated How we verify

What Is Mail-In Voting

Mail-in voting, also called vote by mail or absentee voting, is casting a paper ballot that you receive and return by mail or drop off instead of voting in person. Your ballot counts the same as one cast at a polling place. What differs is the set of rules around it: who can get one, when it must arrive, and what happens if the envelope has a mistake.

Most returned mail ballots count. In 2024, 98.8% of returned mail ballots were counted, and about 3 in 10 Americans voted by mail (Election Assistance Commission).

Key facts

  • 37 states and D.C. let any voter vote by mail. The other 13 require an excuse, such as age or illness (NCSL).
  • 584,463 returned mail ballots were rejected in 2024. Signature problems caused 40.7% and late arrival 17.8%.
  • In 35 states, your ballot must arrive by Election Day. A postmark alone is not enough. In Louisiana, it must arrive the day before.
  • In 11 states, a witness or notary must also sign the return envelope (NCSL).
  • The Supreme Court declined on September 14, 2026 to let the Postal Service enforce new mail-ballot rules before November.

Four Steps to Protect Your Mail Ballot

You do not need to memorize every rule. Make a plan when your ballot arrives, and these four steps cover the problems that cause most rejected ballots.

  1. Ask early and check your deadline. If your state does not mail every voter a ballot, request one well before your state’s application deadline. Then find out whether your ballot must arrive by Election Day or can arrive later if it is postmarked on time. Both are in the lookup below.
  2. Fill in every required field. Follow the instructions on the ballot and the return envelope exactly, including any ID number or witness line your state requires.
  3. Sign it the way you signed your registration. Signature problems were the largest named reason returned mail ballots were rejected in 2024.
  4. Track your ballot after you send it. Most states have an online tracker. If officials contact you about a problem, answer right away.

The final-week rule: if your state requires ballots to arrive by Election Day, use an official drop box or your election office in the last week rather than the mail.

Find Your Mail-Ballot Deadline

The deadline that matters most is when your ballot must arrive, and states split in two. In 35 states, a mail ballot must be in the election office by Election Day, and in Louisiana by 4:30 p.m. the day before. In 15 states and D.C., a ballot postmarked by Election Day still counts if it arrives within a set number of days.

Your state's mail-ballot rules

Choose your state to see when to ask for a ballot, when it must arrive, the safest way to return it, whether a witness must sign, whether you can fix a signature problem, and who can vote by mail. The map shows one question at a time.

A quick reference, not legal advice. Deadlines and exact closing times can change close to an election. If you are near the deadline, do not guess: check with your local election office.

When your ballot must arrive

  • Counts if postmarked by Election Day (15 states + DC)
  • Must arrive by Election Day (35 states)
When your ballot must arrive Rules as of September 2026. Tap your state for the exact deadline.

Sources: NCSL Table 1: States With No-Excuse Absentee Voting (updated July 17, 2026); NCSL Table 5: Applying for an Absentee Ballot (updated September 1, 2026); NCSL Table 11: Receipt and Postmark Deadlines (updated September 25, 2026); NCSL Table 14: How States Verify Voted Absentee/Mail Ballots (updated May 20, 2026); NCSL Table 15: States With Signature Cure Processes (updated August 31, 2026). Verified September 30, 2026.

When your ballot must arrive
State Deadline to ask for a mail ballotWhen your ballot must arriveBest next stepWitness or notaryCan you fix a signature problemWho can vote by mail
Alabama Less than a week before Election DayMust arrive by Election DayMail it at least a week early. In the final week, use an official drop box or your election office instead of the mail.A witness or a notary must signNo statewide processAn excuse is required
Alaska More than a week before Election DayCounts if postmarked by Election DayMail it at least a week before your state deadline. A ballot postmarked by Election Day counts if it arrives within the window, but late mail can still miss it.A witness or a notary must signNo statewide processAny voter can ask for a mail ballot
Arizona More than a week before Election DayMust arrive by Election DayMail it at least a week early. In the final week, use an official drop box or your election office instead of the mail.No witness or notaryYes, statewideAny voter can ask for a mail ballot
Arkansas One week before Election DayMust arrive by Election DayMail it at least a week early. In the final week, use an official drop box or your election office instead of the mail.A witness must signNo statewide processAn excuse is required
California No request neededCounts if postmarked by Election DayMail it at least a week before your state deadline. A ballot postmarked by Election Day counts if it arrives within the window, but late mail can still miss it.No witness or notaryYes, statewideEvery voter is sent a ballot
Colorado No request neededMust arrive by Election DayMail it at least a week early. In the final week, use an official drop box or your election office instead of the mail.No witness or notaryYes, statewideEvery voter is sent a ballot
Connecticut Less than a week before Election DayMust arrive by Election DayMail it at least a week early. In the final week, use an official drop box or your election office instead of the mail.No witness or notaryYes, statewideAny voter can ask for a mail ballot
Delaware Less than a week before Election DayMust arrive by Election DayMail it at least a week early. In the final week, use an official drop box or your election office instead of the mail.No witness or notaryYes, statewideAn excuse is required
District of Columbia No request neededCounts if postmarked by Election DayMail it at least a week before your state deadline. A ballot postmarked by Election Day counts if it arrives within the window, but late mail can still miss it.No witness or notaryYes, statewideEvery voter is sent a ballot
Florida More than a week before Election DayMust arrive by Election DayMail it at least a week early. In the final week, use an official drop box or your election office instead of the mail.No witness or notaryYes, statewideAny voter can ask for a mail ballot
Georgia More than a week before Election DayMust arrive by Election DayMail it at least a week early. In the final week, use an official drop box or your election office instead of the mail.No witness or notaryYes, statewideAny voter can ask for a mail ballot
Hawaii No request neededMust arrive by Election DayMail it at least a week early. In the final week, use an official drop box or your election office instead of the mail.No witness or notaryYes, statewideEvery voter is sent a ballot
Idaho More than a week before Election DayMust arrive by Election DayMail it at least a week early. In the final week, use an official drop box or your election office instead of the mail.No witness or notaryNo statewide processAny voter can ask for a mail ballot
Illinois Less than a week before Election DayCounts if postmarked by Election DayMail it at least a week before your state deadline. A ballot postmarked by Election Day counts if it arrives within the window, but late mail can still miss it.No witness or notaryYes, statewideAny voter can ask for a mail ballot
Indiana More than a week before Election DayMust arrive by Election DayMail it at least a week early. In the final week, use an official drop box or your election office instead of the mail.No witness or notaryYes, statewideAn excuse is required
Iowa More than a week before Election DayMust arrive by Election DayMail it at least a week early. In the final week, use an official drop box or your election office instead of the mail.No witness or notaryYes, statewideAny voter can ask for a mail ballot
Kansas One week before Election DayCounts if postmarked by Election DayMail it at least a week before your state deadline. A ballot postmarked by Election Day counts if it arrives within the window, but late mail can still miss it.No witness or notaryYes, statewideAny voter can ask for a mail ballot
Kentucky More than a week before Election DayMust arrive by Election DayMail it at least a week early. In the final week, use an official drop box or your election office instead of the mail.No witness or notaryYes, statewideAn excuse is required
Louisiana Less than a week before Election DayMust arrive by Election DayMail it at least a week early. In the final week, use an official drop box or your election office instead of the mail.A witness must signYes, statewideAn excuse is required
Maine Less than a week before Election DayMust arrive by Election DayMail it at least a week early. In the final week, use an official drop box or your election office instead of the mail.No witness or notaryYes, statewideAny voter can ask for a mail ballot
Maryland One week before Election DayCounts if postmarked by Election DayMail it at least a week before your state deadline. A ballot postmarked by Election Day counts if it arrives within the window, but late mail can still miss it.No witness or notaryYes, statewideAny voter can ask for a mail ballot
Massachusetts Less than a week before Election DayCounts if postmarked by Election DayMail it at least a week before your state deadline. A ballot postmarked by Election Day counts if it arrives within the window, but late mail can still miss it.No witness or notaryYes, statewideAny voter can ask for a mail ballot
Michigan Less than a week before Election DayMust arrive by Election DayMail it at least a week early. In the final week, use an official drop box or your election office instead of the mail.No witness or notaryYes, statewideAny voter can ask for a mail ballot
Minnesota Less than a week before Election DayMust arrive by Election DayMail it at least a week early. In the final week, use an official drop box or your election office instead of the mail.A witness or a notary must signYes, statewideAny voter can ask for a mail ballot
Mississippi Less than a week before Election DayCounts if postmarked by Election DayMail it at least a week before your state deadline. A ballot postmarked by Election Day counts if it arrives within the window, but late mail can still miss it.A notary must signYes, statewideAn excuse is required
Missouri More than a week before Election DayMust arrive by Election DayMail it at least a week early. In the final week, use an official drop box or your election office instead of the mail.A notary must signNo statewide processAn excuse is required
Montana Less than a week before Election DayMust arrive by Election DayMail it at least a week early. In the final week, use an official drop box or your election office instead of the mail.No witness or notaryYes, statewideAny voter can ask for a mail ballot
Nebraska More than a week before Election DayMust arrive by Election DayMail it at least a week early. In the final week, use an official drop box or your election office instead of the mail.No witness or notaryNo statewide processAny voter can ask for a mail ballot
Nevada No request neededCounts if postmarked by Election DayMail it at least a week before your state deadline. A ballot postmarked by Election Day counts if it arrives within the window, but late mail can still miss it.No witness or notaryYes, statewideEvery voter is sent a ballot
New Hampshire Less than a week before Election DayMust arrive by Election DayMail it at least a week early. In the final week, use an official drop box or your election office instead of the mail.No witness or notaryNo statewide processAn excuse is required
New Jersey One week before Election DayCounts if postmarked by Election DayMail it at least a week before your state deadline. A ballot postmarked by Election Day counts if it arrives within the window, but late mail can still miss it.No witness or notaryYes, statewideAny voter can ask for a mail ballot
New Mexico Less than a week before Election DayMust arrive by Election DayMail it at least a week early. In the final week, use an official drop box or your election office instead of the mail.No witness or notaryYes, statewideAny voter can ask for a mail ballot
New York More than a week before Election DayCounts if postmarked by Election DayMail it at least a week before your state deadline. A ballot postmarked by Election Day counts if it arrives within the window, but late mail can still miss it.No witness or notaryYes, statewideAny voter can ask for a mail ballot
North Carolina One week before Election DayMust arrive by Election DayMail it at least a week early. In the final week, use an official drop box or your election office instead of the mail.A witness or a notary must signYes, statewideAny voter can ask for a mail ballot
North Dakota Less than a week before Election DayMust arrive by Election DayMail it at least a week early. In the final week, use an official drop box or your election office instead of the mail.No witness or notaryYes, statewideAny voter can ask for a mail ballot
Ohio One week before Election DayMust arrive by Election DayMail it at least a week early. In the final week, use an official drop box or your election office instead of the mail.No witness or notaryYes, statewideAny voter can ask for a mail ballot
Oklahoma More than a week before Election DayMust arrive by Election DayMail it at least a week early. In the final week, use an official drop box or your election office instead of the mail.A notary must signNo statewide processAny voter can ask for a mail ballot
Oregon No request neededCounts if postmarked by Election DayMail it at least a week before your state deadline. A ballot postmarked by Election Day counts if it arrives within the window, but late mail can still miss it.No witness or notaryYes, statewideEvery voter is sent a ballot
Pennsylvania One week before Election DayMust arrive by Election DayMail it at least a week early. In the final week, use an official drop box or your election office instead of the mail.No witness or notaryUp to each countyAny voter can ask for a mail ballot
Rhode Island More than a week before Election DayMust arrive by Election DayMail it at least a week early. In the final week, use an official drop box or your election office instead of the mail.No witness or notaryYes, statewideAny voter can ask for a mail ballot
South Carolina More than a week before Election DayMust arrive by Election DayMail it at least a week early. In the final week, use an official drop box or your election office instead of the mail.A witness must signNo statewide processAn excuse is required
South Dakota Less than a week before Election DayMust arrive by Election DayMail it at least a week early. In the final week, use an official drop box or your election office instead of the mail.No witness or notaryNo statewide processAny voter can ask for a mail ballot
Tennessee More than a week before Election DayMust arrive by Election DayMail it at least a week early. In the final week, use an official drop box or your election office instead of the mail.No witness or notaryNo statewide processAn excuse is required
Texas More than a week before Election DayCounts if postmarked by Election DayMail it at least a week before your state deadline. A ballot postmarked by Election Day counts if it arrives within the window, but late mail can still miss it.No witness or notaryYes, statewideAn excuse is required
Utah No request neededMust arrive by Election DayMail it at least a week early. In the final week, use an official drop box or your election office instead of the mail.No witness or notaryYes, statewideEvery voter is sent a ballot
Vermont No request neededMust arrive by Election DayMail it at least a week early. In the final week, use an official drop box or your election office instead of the mail.No witness or notaryYes, statewideEvery voter is sent a ballot
Virginia More than a week before Election DayCounts if postmarked by Election DayMail it at least a week before your state deadline. A ballot postmarked by Election Day counts if it arrives within the window, but late mail can still miss it.No witness or notaryYes, statewideAny voter can ask for a mail ballot
Washington No request neededCounts if postmarked by Election DayMail it at least a week before your state deadline. A ballot postmarked by Election Day counts if it arrives within the window, but late mail can still miss it.No witness or notaryYes, statewideEvery voter is sent a ballot
West Virginia Less than a week before Election DayCounts if postmarked by Election DayMail it at least a week before your state deadline. A ballot postmarked by Election Day counts if it arrives within the window, but late mail can still miss it.No witness or notaryNo statewide processAn excuse is required
Wisconsin Less than a week before Election DayMust arrive by Election DayMail it at least a week early. In the final week, use an official drop box or your election office instead of the mail.A witness must signNo statewide processAny voter can ask for a mail ballot
Wyoming Less than a week before Election DayMust arrive by Election DayMail it at least a week early. In the final week, use an official drop box or your election office instead of the mail.No witness or notaryNo statewide processAny voter can ask for a mail ballot
See all states in a table
Showing 51 of 51 states
AlabamaLess than a week before Election DayMust arrive by Election DayMail it at least a week early. In the final week, use an official drop box or your election office instead of the mail.A witness or a notary must signNo statewide processAn excuse is required
AlaskaMore than a week before Election DayCounts if postmarked by Election DayMail it at least a week before your state deadline. A ballot postmarked by Election Day counts if it arrives within the window, but late mail can still miss it.A witness or a notary must signNo statewide processAny voter can ask for a mail ballot
ArizonaMore than a week before Election DayMust arrive by Election DayMail it at least a week early. In the final week, use an official drop box or your election office instead of the mail.No witness or notaryYes, statewideAny voter can ask for a mail ballot
ArkansasOne week before Election DayMust arrive by Election DayMail it at least a week early. In the final week, use an official drop box or your election office instead of the mail.A witness must signNo statewide processAn excuse is required
CaliforniaNo request neededCounts if postmarked by Election DayMail it at least a week before your state deadline. A ballot postmarked by Election Day counts if it arrives within the window, but late mail can still miss it.No witness or notaryYes, statewideEvery voter is sent a ballot
ColoradoNo request neededMust arrive by Election DayMail it at least a week early. In the final week, use an official drop box or your election office instead of the mail.No witness or notaryYes, statewideEvery voter is sent a ballot
ConnecticutLess than a week before Election DayMust arrive by Election DayMail it at least a week early. In the final week, use an official drop box or your election office instead of the mail.No witness or notaryYes, statewideAny voter can ask for a mail ballot
DelawareLess than a week before Election DayMust arrive by Election DayMail it at least a week early. In the final week, use an official drop box or your election office instead of the mail.No witness or notaryYes, statewideAn excuse is required
District of ColumbiaNo request neededCounts if postmarked by Election DayMail it at least a week before your state deadline. A ballot postmarked by Election Day counts if it arrives within the window, but late mail can still miss it.No witness or notaryYes, statewideEvery voter is sent a ballot
FloridaMore than a week before Election DayMust arrive by Election DayMail it at least a week early. In the final week, use an official drop box or your election office instead of the mail.No witness or notaryYes, statewideAny voter can ask for a mail ballot
GeorgiaMore than a week before Election DayMust arrive by Election DayMail it at least a week early. In the final week, use an official drop box or your election office instead of the mail.No witness or notaryYes, statewideAny voter can ask for a mail ballot
HawaiiNo request neededMust arrive by Election DayMail it at least a week early. In the final week, use an official drop box or your election office instead of the mail.No witness or notaryYes, statewideEvery voter is sent a ballot
IdahoMore than a week before Election DayMust arrive by Election DayMail it at least a week early. In the final week, use an official drop box or your election office instead of the mail.No witness or notaryNo statewide processAny voter can ask for a mail ballot
IllinoisLess than a week before Election DayCounts if postmarked by Election DayMail it at least a week before your state deadline. A ballot postmarked by Election Day counts if it arrives within the window, but late mail can still miss it.No witness or notaryYes, statewideAny voter can ask for a mail ballot
IndianaMore than a week before Election DayMust arrive by Election DayMail it at least a week early. In the final week, use an official drop box or your election office instead of the mail.No witness or notaryYes, statewideAn excuse is required
IowaMore than a week before Election DayMust arrive by Election DayMail it at least a week early. In the final week, use an official drop box or your election office instead of the mail.No witness or notaryYes, statewideAny voter can ask for a mail ballot
KansasOne week before Election DayCounts if postmarked by Election DayMail it at least a week before your state deadline. A ballot postmarked by Election Day counts if it arrives within the window, but late mail can still miss it.No witness or notaryYes, statewideAny voter can ask for a mail ballot
KentuckyMore than a week before Election DayMust arrive by Election DayMail it at least a week early. In the final week, use an official drop box or your election office instead of the mail.No witness or notaryYes, statewideAn excuse is required
LouisianaLess than a week before Election DayMust arrive by Election DayMail it at least a week early. In the final week, use an official drop box or your election office instead of the mail.A witness must signYes, statewideAn excuse is required
MaineLess than a week before Election DayMust arrive by Election DayMail it at least a week early. In the final week, use an official drop box or your election office instead of the mail.No witness or notaryYes, statewideAny voter can ask for a mail ballot
MarylandOne week before Election DayCounts if postmarked by Election DayMail it at least a week before your state deadline. A ballot postmarked by Election Day counts if it arrives within the window, but late mail can still miss it.No witness or notaryYes, statewideAny voter can ask for a mail ballot
MassachusettsLess than a week before Election DayCounts if postmarked by Election DayMail it at least a week before your state deadline. A ballot postmarked by Election Day counts if it arrives within the window, but late mail can still miss it.No witness or notaryYes, statewideAny voter can ask for a mail ballot
MichiganLess than a week before Election DayMust arrive by Election DayMail it at least a week early. In the final week, use an official drop box or your election office instead of the mail.No witness or notaryYes, statewideAny voter can ask for a mail ballot
MinnesotaLess than a week before Election DayMust arrive by Election DayMail it at least a week early. In the final week, use an official drop box or your election office instead of the mail.A witness or a notary must signYes, statewideAny voter can ask for a mail ballot
MississippiLess than a week before Election DayCounts if postmarked by Election DayMail it at least a week before your state deadline. A ballot postmarked by Election Day counts if it arrives within the window, but late mail can still miss it.A notary must signYes, statewideAn excuse is required
MissouriMore than a week before Election DayMust arrive by Election DayMail it at least a week early. In the final week, use an official drop box or your election office instead of the mail.A notary must signNo statewide processAn excuse is required
MontanaLess than a week before Election DayMust arrive by Election DayMail it at least a week early. In the final week, use an official drop box or your election office instead of the mail.No witness or notaryYes, statewideAny voter can ask for a mail ballot
NebraskaMore than a week before Election DayMust arrive by Election DayMail it at least a week early. In the final week, use an official drop box or your election office instead of the mail.No witness or notaryNo statewide processAny voter can ask for a mail ballot
NevadaNo request neededCounts if postmarked by Election DayMail it at least a week before your state deadline. A ballot postmarked by Election Day counts if it arrives within the window, but late mail can still miss it.No witness or notaryYes, statewideEvery voter is sent a ballot
New HampshireLess than a week before Election DayMust arrive by Election DayMail it at least a week early. In the final week, use an official drop box or your election office instead of the mail.No witness or notaryNo statewide processAn excuse is required
New JerseyOne week before Election DayCounts if postmarked by Election DayMail it at least a week before your state deadline. A ballot postmarked by Election Day counts if it arrives within the window, but late mail can still miss it.No witness or notaryYes, statewideAny voter can ask for a mail ballot
New MexicoLess than a week before Election DayMust arrive by Election DayMail it at least a week early. In the final week, use an official drop box or your election office instead of the mail.No witness or notaryYes, statewideAny voter can ask for a mail ballot
New YorkMore than a week before Election DayCounts if postmarked by Election DayMail it at least a week before your state deadline. A ballot postmarked by Election Day counts if it arrives within the window, but late mail can still miss it.No witness or notaryYes, statewideAny voter can ask for a mail ballot
North CarolinaOne week before Election DayMust arrive by Election DayMail it at least a week early. In the final week, use an official drop box or your election office instead of the mail.A witness or a notary must signYes, statewideAny voter can ask for a mail ballot
North DakotaLess than a week before Election DayMust arrive by Election DayMail it at least a week early. In the final week, use an official drop box or your election office instead of the mail.No witness or notaryYes, statewideAny voter can ask for a mail ballot
OhioOne week before Election DayMust arrive by Election DayMail it at least a week early. In the final week, use an official drop box or your election office instead of the mail.No witness or notaryYes, statewideAny voter can ask for a mail ballot
OklahomaMore than a week before Election DayMust arrive by Election DayMail it at least a week early. In the final week, use an official drop box or your election office instead of the mail.A notary must signNo statewide processAny voter can ask for a mail ballot
OregonNo request neededCounts if postmarked by Election DayMail it at least a week before your state deadline. A ballot postmarked by Election Day counts if it arrives within the window, but late mail can still miss it.No witness or notaryYes, statewideEvery voter is sent a ballot
PennsylvaniaOne week before Election DayMust arrive by Election DayMail it at least a week early. In the final week, use an official drop box or your election office instead of the mail.No witness or notaryUp to each countyAny voter can ask for a mail ballot
Rhode IslandMore than a week before Election DayMust arrive by Election DayMail it at least a week early. In the final week, use an official drop box or your election office instead of the mail.No witness or notaryYes, statewideAny voter can ask for a mail ballot
South CarolinaMore than a week before Election DayMust arrive by Election DayMail it at least a week early. In the final week, use an official drop box or your election office instead of the mail.A witness must signNo statewide processAn excuse is required
South DakotaLess than a week before Election DayMust arrive by Election DayMail it at least a week early. In the final week, use an official drop box or your election office instead of the mail.No witness or notaryNo statewide processAny voter can ask for a mail ballot
TennesseeMore than a week before Election DayMust arrive by Election DayMail it at least a week early. In the final week, use an official drop box or your election office instead of the mail.No witness or notaryNo statewide processAn excuse is required
TexasMore than a week before Election DayCounts if postmarked by Election DayMail it at least a week before your state deadline. A ballot postmarked by Election Day counts if it arrives within the window, but late mail can still miss it.No witness or notaryYes, statewideAn excuse is required
UtahNo request neededMust arrive by Election DayMail it at least a week early. In the final week, use an official drop box or your election office instead of the mail.No witness or notaryYes, statewideEvery voter is sent a ballot
VermontNo request neededMust arrive by Election DayMail it at least a week early. In the final week, use an official drop box or your election office instead of the mail.No witness or notaryYes, statewideEvery voter is sent a ballot
VirginiaMore than a week before Election DayCounts if postmarked by Election DayMail it at least a week before your state deadline. A ballot postmarked by Election Day counts if it arrives within the window, but late mail can still miss it.No witness or notaryYes, statewideAny voter can ask for a mail ballot
WashingtonNo request neededCounts if postmarked by Election DayMail it at least a week before your state deadline. A ballot postmarked by Election Day counts if it arrives within the window, but late mail can still miss it.No witness or notaryYes, statewideEvery voter is sent a ballot
West VirginiaLess than a week before Election DayCounts if postmarked by Election DayMail it at least a week before your state deadline. A ballot postmarked by Election Day counts if it arrives within the window, but late mail can still miss it.No witness or notaryNo statewide processAn excuse is required
WisconsinLess than a week before Election DayMust arrive by Election DayMail it at least a week early. In the final week, use an official drop box or your election office instead of the mail.A witness must signNo statewide processAny voter can ask for a mail ballot
WyomingLess than a week before Election DayMust arrive by Election DayMail it at least a week early. In the final week, use an official drop box or your election office instead of the mail.No witness or notaryNo statewide processAny voter can ask for a mail ballot

Sources: NCSL Table 1: States With No-Excuse Absentee Voting (updated July 17, 2026); NCSL Table 5: Applying for an Absentee Ballot (updated September 1, 2026); NCSL Table 11: Receipt and Postmark Deadlines (updated September 25, 2026); NCSL Table 14: How States Verify Voted Absentee/Mail Ballots (updated May 20, 2026); NCSL Table 15: States With Signature Cure Processes (updated August 31, 2026). Verified September 30, 2026.

The grace-period rule was tested in court this year. On June 29, 2026, in Watson v. Republican National Committee, the Supreme Court ruled 5-4 that federal law does not require ballots to arrive by Election Day, so Mississippi can keep counting ballots that arrive up to five business days later. “The electorate’s choice is made when voting is complete, not when ballots are received,” Justice Amy Coney Barrett wrote for the majority (Votebeat).

The Three Places a Mail Ballot Can Go Wrong

A mail ballot can fail at three points, and each one has a fix. Find the risk, then follow the step in “What you can do.”

Where a mail ballot can go wrong, and how to prevent it.

RiskWhat it meansWhat you can do
You never return itA ballot mailed to you is not a vote until it is returned and acceptedMake a return plan the day it arrives
It arrives too lateIn 35 states it must arrive by Election Day, and late arrival caused 17.8% of 2024 rejectionsMail it a week early, or use a drop box or your election office near the deadline
The envelope has a problemA missing or mismatched signature, a missing ID number, or a missing witness can get it set asideFollow the envelope instructions, sign as you registered, and track it for a notice

Source: U.S. Election Assistance Commission, 2024 EAVS; NCSL

Most mail ballots that never count were never sent back. Rejection is the smaller loss, and it is the one a voter can prevent.

What happened to the 66.9 million mail ballots sent in 2024
66.9M
Sent to voters
48.0M
Returned by voters (72%)
584,463 rejected after being returned (1.2%)
47.6M
Counted (98.8% of returned)
What happened to the 66.9 million mail ballots sent in 2024
StageMail ballots
Sent to voters66.9M
Returned by voters (72%)48.0M
Counted (98.8% of returned)47.6M
rejected after being returned (1.2%)584,463

Source: U.S. Election Assistance Commission, 2024 Election Administration and Voting Survey (items C1a, C1b, C8a, C9a). Excludes military and overseas ballots. Bar widths use a compressed scale.

An unreturned ballot and a rejected ballot are different problems. About 18.9 million ballots sent in 2024 were never mailed back, which includes voters who chose to vote in person instead. A rejected ballot is one a voter did send back that did not count, and for those 584,463 voters the vote was lost after they thought they had cast it. Mail-ballot rules are one of six barriers compared in the evidence on voter suppression tactics.

Signature problems caused 4 in 10 rejected mail ballots in 2024, more than twice the next named reason.

Why returned mail ballots were rejected in 2024 (share of rejections)
Why returned mail ballots were rejected in 2024 (share of rejections)
CategoryValue
Signature did not match or was incomplete40.7%
Other reasons18.1%
Arrived after the deadline17.8%
Voter had already voted11.1%
No voter signature10%
No witness signature5.6%

Source: U.S. Election Assistance Commission, 2024 EAVS, Table 1 (share of 584,463 rejected mail ballots).

New rules can drive rejections up fast. After Texas’s SB 1 required voters to write an ID number on the return envelope that matched their registration, 12.4% of mail ballots in the March 2022 primary were rejected, compared with 0.8% in the 2020 general election (NPR).

Can You Fix a Ballot Problem

In most states, yes. In 35 states and D.C., election officials must tell you if there is a signature or envelope problem and give you time to correct it, usually by returning a signed form or showing ID (NCSL). This is called a cure process, and the deadlines are often short, a few days after the election.

The fix works when voters use it. In 2024, 585,457 mail ballots entered a cure process and 317,191 were fixed by the voter and counted, according to the Election Assistance Commission. In the 14 states without a statewide process, a ballot can be set aside without the voter hearing about it, which is why tracking your ballot matters most there.

Which States Allow Mail-In Voting?

Every state lets at least some voters vote by mail, and 37 states plus D.C. let any registered voter do it. The rules fall into three groups. In 8 all-mail states and D.C., every registered voter is sent a ballot automatically. In 29 more, any voter can ask for one. In 13, you need a reason the state accepts, and in several of those, turning 60 or 65 counts. You have to be registered first, and our voter registration guide has each state’s deadline.

In 37 states, any voter can vote by mail. In 13, you need an excuse.
  • All-mail: every voter is sent a ballot (8 states) CA, CO, HI, NV, OR, UT, VT, WA (plus D.C.)
  • No excuse needed: any voter can ask (29 states)
  • Excuse required (13 states) AL, AR, DE, IN, KY, LA, MS, MO, NH, SC, TN, TX, WV

Source: NCSL Tables 1 and 2, updated July 17 and June 3, 2026. Connecticut adopted no-excuse voting in 2026.

The excuse states are not all alike. Louisiana, Mississippi, South Carolina, and Texas accept age 65 as an excuse, and Tennessee accepts 60, which means older voters in those states can vote by mail while their younger neighbors cannot.

Does a Mail Ballot Need a Witness?

Only in 11 states: Alabama, Alaska, Arkansas, Louisiana, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, North Carolina, Oklahoma, South Carolina and Wisconsin. In those states, a witness, two witnesses or a notary must sign your return envelope, and a missing witness signature is a common reason a ballot is set aside. In 2024, a missing witness signature caused 5.6% of rejected mail ballots nationwide. Everywhere else, your own signature is enough (NCSL). The state lookup above shows who can sign in your state.

Where Can I Drop Off My Mail-In Ballot?

You can return your mail ballot in person at your local election office, and some states also have official ballot drop boxes (USA.gov). Your state or local election office lists the locations and hours. Watch for an earlier hand-delivery deadline in a few states. In Arkansas, a hand-delivered ballot must reach the county clerk by the close of business the Friday before Election Day. In Oklahoma and Vermont, a hand-delivered ballot is due the day before the election, unless Vermont voters bring it to their own polling place on Election Day (NCSL).

If your ballot is lost or never arrived, call your election office. You might be able to vote in person on Election Day even after asking for a mail ballot. Depending on your state, you may turn in the mail ballot you received, vote a regular ballot, or cast a provisional ballot (USA.gov).

Is Mail Voting Secure

Mail ballots leave a paper record and pass through safeguards that vary by state, including signature review, ballot tracking, voter records, and audits. Verified fraud is rare. The Brennan Center’s review of closely studied elections found fraud rates between 0.0003% and 0.0025% (Brennan Center). The Heritage Foundation, which advocates stricter election rules, counted more than 1,400 proven fraud cases of all kinds across several decades as of January 2023. For scale, election offices counted 47.6 million mail ballots in 2024 alone.

The more common problems are practical: a ballot that arrives late, an incomplete envelope, or a signature problem the voter never gets time to fix. What protects your vote most is returning it early, following the envelope instructions, and tracking it.

The 2026 Postal Service Rule

Current election update, verified September 23, 2026: Federal courts have blocked a new Postal Service ballot-mail rule for the November election, and the case over its future is still going. What it means for you: follow the instructions from your state or local election office, return your ballot early, and track it after you send it.

The Postal Service finalized a rule in August 2026 that would require states to upload their mail-voter lists to a Postal Service portal, redesign ballot envelopes, and put a uniquely coded barcode on every outgoing and return envelope. Ballots that did not comply could be refused.

The Postal Service ballot-mail rule, June to September 2026
  1. Postal Service proposes the rule
  2. Final rule published
  3. Federal judge blocks it
  4. Supreme Court refuses to let it take effect

Sources: Federal Register; Brennan Center; SCOTUSblog.

The Postal Service ballot-mail rule, June to September 2026: Jun 2: Postal Service proposes the rule. Aug 26: Final rule published. Sep 4: Federal judge blocks it. Sep 14: Supreme Court refuses to let it take effect.

June 2: The Postal Service proposed the “Ballot Mail for Federal Elections” rule and took public comments through July 2 (Federal Register).

August 26: The final rule was published (Federal Register).

September 4: Judge Indira Talwani in Massachusetts blocked the Postal Service from refusing ballots over the new requirements for the November election (Brennan Center).

September 14: The Supreme Court denied the government’s request to put the rule in effect, finding it “unlikely to succeed on the merits.” Justice Brett Kavanaugh wrote separately that the Postal Service may have the authority but that election officials lacked time to comply before November; Justices Samuel Alito and Clarence Thomas dissented (SCOTUSblog).

Mail Voting Questions

Which states allow mail-in voting?

Every state lets at least some voters vote by mail. In 37 states and D.C., any registered voter can, and 8 of those states plus D.C. mail every voter a ballot. The other 13 states require an excuse, such as age, illness or being away on Election Day.

Do all states allow mail-in voting?

Yes, but not for every voter. All 50 states and D.C. offer mail ballots, and 13 states limit them to voters with an accepted excuse.

Where can I drop off my mail-in ballot?

You can return it in person at your local election office, and some states also have official ballot drop boxes. Your state or local election office lists the places and hours. A few states set an earlier deadline for ballots delivered by hand, so check yours before Election Day.

Does my mail ballot need a witness?

Only in 11 states: Alabama, Alaska, Arkansas, Louisiana, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, North Carolina, Oklahoma, South Carolina and Wisconsin. Depending on the state, a witness, two witnesses or a notary must sign the return envelope. Everywhere else, your own signature is enough.

What if I lost my mail-in ballot?

Call your local election office. Depending on your state, you may be able to get a replacement, vote in person on Election Day, or cast a provisional ballot that is counted once officials confirm you did not vote by mail. Every state has different rules, so ask before you go.

Is mail-in voting the same as absentee voting?

In most states, yes. “Absentee” is the older legal term, from when a mail ballot was only for voters away from home. Many states now use the terms interchangeably, and all-mail states send every voter a ballot.

When should I mail my ballot?

The Postal Service recommends mailing a completed ballot at least one week before your state’s deadline. If your state requires the ballot to arrive by Election Day, a drop box or your election office is safer in the final week.

What percentage of voters vote by mail?

About 3 in 10 Americans voted by mail in 2024, according to the Election Assistance Commission. Of the mail ballots voters returned that year, 98.8% were counted.

How do I know if my mail ballot was counted?

Most states offer online ballot tracking through the secretary of state or county election office. Check it after you mail your ballot so you have time to fix a problem if your state allows it.

What happens if my signature does not match?

In 35 states and D.C., election officials must tell you and give you a chance to fix it, often by returning a signed form or showing ID before a deadline a few days after the election. In the other states, your ballot may be rejected without notice, so tracking your ballot matters most there.

What You Can Do

  1. Check your state’s deadline in the lookup above, then confirm with your election office. Find it at usa.gov/election-office.

  2. Mail early, at least a week before the deadline, or use a drop box. In the 35 states where the ballot must arrive by Election Day, a late postmark does not help.

  3. Sign exactly as you signed your registration, and fill in every required field. Missing or mismatched signatures caused about half of 2024’s rejections.

  4. Track your ballot, and answer any notice right away. In 2024, 317,191 voters fixed a problem and had their ballot counted.

  5. Send the letter below. It asks your members of Congress to press the Postal Service to withdraw the ballot-mail rule for good, not only for November.

Write Your Rep ↓