There are 89 days remaining until Election Day, which falls on Tuesday, Nov. 5.
However, if Americans participate in voting as they did in the previous two elections, the majority will likely have already submitted their ballots before the eventful day.
Early voting kicks off on Sept. 6 for eligible voters, with seven key battleground states mailing out ballots to certain voters within the same month.
This shift transforms the upcoming months from a mere countdown to Election Day into a launch of “election season.”
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Former President Trump and Vice President Kamala Harris. (Getty Images)
Historically, many states have permitted certain Americans, like military members or those with health concerns, to vote early.
In numerous states, a significant number of voters exclusively cast their ballots by mail.
The situation expanded in 2020, when the COVID-19 pandemic heightened the risks associated with in-person voting.
According to the Fox News Voter Analysis, that year saw 71% of voters submitting ballots prior to Election Day, with 30% voting early in-person and 41% opting for mail-in voting.
The trend continued into the midterm elections, with 57% of voters casting their ballots ahead of Election Day.
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A voter completes their ballot in Lake Orion, Michigan. (Nic Antaya/Bloomberg via Getty Images)
Election officials emphasize that early voting is both safe and secure. An array of recounts, investigations, and lawsuits following the 2020 election did not uncover any instances of significant fraud or misconduct.
Understanding the Difference Between “Early In-Person” and “Mail” or “Absentee” Voting.
There are several methods available for casting a vote prior to Election Day.
The first method is early in-person voting, where voters can cast an ordinary ballot at a polling station before Election Day.
The second method is mail voting, which varies in terms of procedures and eligibility by state.
Eight states primarily conduct voting by mail, including California, Colorado, Nevada, and Utah, wherein registered voters receive and return their ballots.
Most states permit any registered voter to request a mail ballot and submit it. This is often referred to as mail voting or sometimes absentee voting. Depending on state regulations, voters can return their mailed ballots through the postal service, drop-off boxes, or designated offices.
In 14 states, voters must provide a valid reason to vote by mail, including illness, age, work obligations, or if they will be away from their home county on Election Day.
States differ in how and when they process and count ballots. Some only commence counting after the polls close on Election Day, which can delay the announcement of results.
Voting Commences on September 6 in North Carolina, with Seven More Battleground States Following Suit
This list of early voting dates is intended for reference only. For thorough and current information on voter eligibility, processes, and deadlines, please visit Vote.gov and your state’s election website.
The initial voters to receive absentee ballots will be those in North Carolina, which begins mailing ballots to qualified voters on September 6.
Additionally, seven more battleground states will commence early voting within the same month, including Pennsylvania, Georgia, Wisconsin, Michigan, and Nevada.
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Early voters are submitting their ballots in Ferndale, Michigan. (Nic Antaya/Bloomberg via Getty Images)
September Deadlines
In-person early voting is highlighted in bold.
Sept. 6
- North Carolina – Absentee ballots will be sent to voters
Sept. 16
- Pennsylvania – Mail-in ballots dispatched to voters
Sept. 17
- Georgia – Absentee ballots sent to military personnel & overseas voters
Sept. 19
- Wisconsin – Absentee ballots will be distributed
Sept. 20
- Arkansas, Montana, Nebraska, North Dakota, Ohio, Utah, Wyoming – Absentee ballots sent to military personnel & overseas voters
- Minnesota, South Dakota – In-person absentee voting begins
- Virginia – In-person early voting commences
- Indiana, Kentucky, West Virginia – Absentee ballots dispatched
Sept. 21
- Alabama, Alaska, Colorado, Connecticut, Florida, Kansas, Massachusetts, Maryland, Michigan, New Hampshire, New York, Oregon, South Carolina, Washington – Absentee ballots sent to military personnel & overseas
- Indiana, New Mexico – Absentee ballots dispatched
- Maryland, New Jersey – Mail-in ballots sent
Sept. 23
- Mississippi – In-person absentee voting begins & absentee ballots dispatched
- Oregon, Vermont – Absentee ballots sent
Sept. 26
- Illinois – In-person early voting starts
- Michigan – Absentee ballots dispatched
- Florida, Nevada – Mail-in ballots sent
- North Dakota – Absentee & mail-in ballots sent
Sept. 30
- Nebraska – Mail-in ballots sent
October Deadlines
Oct. 4
- Connecticut – Absentee ballots sent
Oct. 6
- Michigan – In-person early voting begins
- Maine – In-person absentee voting begins & mail ballots sent
- California – In-person absentee voting commences & mail ballots sent
- Montana – In-person absentee voting begins
- Nebraska – In-person early voting commences
- Georgia – Absentee ballots dispatched
- Massachusetts – Mail-in ballots sent
Oct. 8
- California – Ballot drop-offs open
- New Mexico, Ohio – In-person absentee voting begins
- Indiana – In-person early voting begins
- Wyoming – In-person absentee voting begins & absentee ballots sent
Oct. 9
- Arizona – In-person early voting begins & mail ballots dispatched
Oct. 11
- Colorado – Mail-in ballots sent
- Arkansas, Alaska – Absentee ballots sent
Oct. 15
- Georgia – In-person early voting begins
- Utah – Mail-in ballots sent
Oct. 16
- Rhode Island, Kansas, Tennessee – In-person early voting begins
- Iowa – In-person absentee voting commences
- Oregon, Nevada – Mail-in ballots sent
Oct. 17
- North Carolina – In-person early voting begins
Oct. 18
- Washington, Louisiana – In-person early voting begins
- Hawaii – Mail-in ballots dispatched
Oct. 19
- Nevada, Massachusetts – In-person early voting commences
- Alaska, Arkansas, Connecticut, Idaho, North Dakota, South Carolina, Texas – In-person early voting begins
- Colorado – Ballot drop-offs open
Oct. 22
- Hawaii, Utah – In-person early voting begins
- Missouri, Wisconsin – In-person absentee voting starts
Oct. 23
- West Virginia – In-person early voting begins
Oct. 24
- Maryland – In-person early voting commences
Oct. 25
- Delaware – In-person early voting starts
Oct. 26
- Michigan, Florida, New Jersey, New York – In-person early voting begins
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Oct. 30
- Oklahoma – In-person early voting begins
Oct. 31
- Kentucky – In-person absentee voting starts
