Everything You Need to Know to Vote in 2020

Photo: Steve Heap (Shutterstock)

There are only a few short weeks until the election, and I know we say this every time, but it really is more important than ever to cast your vote on November 3. Not only are we electing the president who will lead us for the next four years and have to deal with whatever comes next with the pandemic, but we’re also voting on other offices at the same time. These depend on your local voting district, but all 435 seats in the U.S. House of Representatives are up for grabs, as are 35 seats in the U.S. Senate. Here’s what you need to know about registration deadlines by state, and how to vote early.

This is kind of a long one, so feel free to jump directly to the part you need:

Voter registration deadlines for each state

To make everything as easy as possible, here are the key voter registration dates you need to know about. This information comes from Vote.org, and in cases where a state has accommodations for people who have missed the deadline, the details will be noted.

G/O Media may get a commission

Alabama

In Person: 15 days before Election Day.
By Mail: Postmarked 15 days before Election Day.
Online: 15 days before Election Day.

Alaska

In Person: 30 days before Election Day.
By Mail: Postmarked 30 days before Election Day. If this falls on a Sunday, postmarked 31 days before Election Day.
Online: 30 days before Election Day.

Arizona

In Person: 29 days before Election Day, or on the next immediate business day if the deadline falls on a legal holiday or weekend.
By Mail: Postmarked 29 days before Election Day, or on the next immediate business day if the deadline falls on a legal holiday or weekend.
Online: 29 days before Election Day.

Arkansas

In Person: 30 days before Election Day.
By Mail: Postmarked 30 days before Election Day. If this falls on a Sunday, postmarked 29 days before Election Day.
Online: N/A

California

In Person: 15 days before Election Day.
By Mail: Postmarked 15 days before Election Day.
Online: 15 days before Election Day.
If you miss the deadlines above, you can still conditionally register to vote and cast a provisional ballot in person at your local elections office at any time up to and including Election Day. Check in with them for additional details.

Colorado

In Person: Election Day (You can register and cast a ballot up through Election Day by appearing in-person at a Voter Service and Polling Center during the Early Voting period or on Election Day).
By Mail: Received 8 days before Election Day.
Online: 8 days before Election Day.

Connecticut

In Person: 7 days before Election Day.
By Mail: Postmarked 7 days before Election Day.
Online: 7 days before Election Day.
If the voter registration deadline has passed, you can still register to vote in person at a designated Election Day Registration office (just check to make sure you know where that is).

Delaware

In Person: 24 days before Election Day.
By Mail: Postmarked 24 days before Election Day.
Online: The fourth Saturday before Election Day.

Florida

In Person: 29 days before Election Day.
By Mail: Postmarked 29 days before Election Day.
Online: 29 days before Election Day.

Georgia

In Person: 29 days before Election Day.
By Mail: Postmarked 29 days before Election Day.
Online: The fifth Monday before Election Day.

Hawaii

In Person: 30 days before Election Day.
By Mail: Postmarked 30 days before Election Day.
Online: 30 days before Election Day.
If you have missed the voter registration deadline, you can still register to vote and a cast a ballot at the same time during early voting at early walk-in locations and on Election Day at your polling place.

Idaho

In Person: 24 days before Election Day. If you miss this deadline, you may also register on Election Day. (You must show proof of residence to register at the polls on Election Day.)
By Mail: Postmarked 25 days before Election Day.
Online: 25 days before Election Day.
If you have missed the voter registration deadline, you can still register to vote and a cast a ballot at the same time during early voting or on Election Day. Simply go to your regular polling place or early voting site to register and vote. You will need to show proof of residence and a photo ID.

Illinois

In Person: 27 days before Election Day, after which you may register during the early voting period through Election Day.
By Mail: Postmarked 28 days before Election Day.
Online: 16 days before Election Day.
You can also register in person (and vote) at your local elections office during the “grace period.” The grace period starts 27 days before Election Day and ends on Election Day. Grace Period Voting does not take place at your regular polling place. Grace Period Voting almost always happens at your Local Election Office.

Indiana

In Person: 29 days before Election Day.
By Mail: Postmarked 29 days before Election Day.
Online: 29 days before Election Day.

Iowa

In Person: 10 days before Election Day. If you miss the deadline, you can also register to vote in-person during early vote or on Election Day.
By Mail: Postmarked 15 days before Election Day or received 10 days before Election Day.
Online: 10 days before Election Day.
If you have missed the voter registration deadline, you can still register to vote and a cast a ballot at the same time during early voting or on Election Day. Simply go to your regular polling place or early voting site to register and vote. You should bring valid photo ID and, if the ID does not list your current address, also proof of residence.

Kansas

In Person: 21 days before Election Day.
By Mail: Postmarked 21 days before Election Day.
Online: 21 days before Election Day.

Kentucky

In Person: 29 days before Election Day.
By Mail: Postmarked 29 days before Election Day.
Online: 29 days before Election Day.

Louisiana

In Person: 30 days before Election Day.
By Mail: Postmarked 30 days before Election Day.
Online: 20 days before Election Day.

Maine

In Person: Election Day.
By Mail: Received 21 business days before Election Day.
Online: N/A
If you register to vote within 21 days of an election, including on election day, you must appear in person to register at the municipal registrar in order to register. Photo ID and proof of residence is required.

Maryland

In Person: 21 days before Election Day. You may also register during early voting or on Election Day with proof of address. See Election Day registration instructions.
By Mail: Postmarked 21 days before Election Day.
Online: 21 days before Election Day.
You can register to vote in person during early voting and on Election Day. You will need to bring your MVA-issued license, ID card, or change of address card, or a paycheck, bank statement, utility bill, or other government document that has your name and current address.

Massachusetts

In Person: 20 days before Election Day.
By Mail: Postmarked 20 days before Election Day.
Online: 20 days before Election Day.

Michigan

In Person: Election Day at your city or township clerk office. The voter registration deadline is 15 days before Election Day, if you submit an application form through a voter registration drive or deliver it to a county clerk or secretary of state office.
By Mail: Postmarked 15 days before Election Day.
Online: 15 days before Election Day.
If you have missed the voter registration deadline, you can still register to vote and a cast a ballot at the same time during early voting or on Election Day. If you plan to register in person within 14 days of Election Day, you will need to present proof of residency. To register under these rules, contact your local election office.

Minnesota

In Person: Election Day.
By Mail: Received 21 days before Election Day.
Online: 21 days before Election Day.
If you have missed the voter registration deadline, you can still register to vote and a cast a ballot at the same time during the in-person absentee voting period or on Election Day. Simply go to your regular in-person absentee voting site—or to your regular polling place—to register and vote. You should bring valid ID and, if the ID does not list your current name and address, also proof of residence.

Mississippi

In Person: 30 days before Election Day.
By Mail: Postmarked 30 days before Election Day.
Online: N/A

Missouri

In Person: 27 days before Election Day.
By Mail: Postmarked 27 days before Election Day.
Online: 27 days before Election Day.

Montana

In Person: Election Day.
By Mail: Postmarked 30 days before Election Day. Received 27 days before Election Day.
Online: N/A
If you have missed the voter registration deadline, you can still register to vote at your county election office through close of polls on Election Day, except between noon and 5:00 PM the day before the election. You’ll have to register at the office of your local election office—not at a polling place—and a photo ID or proof or residency is required.

Nebraska

In Person: 11 days before Election Day.
By Mail: Postmarked 18 days before Election Day. Received 14 days before Election Day, if there’s an illegible postmark.
Online: 18 days before Election Day.

Nevada

In Person: Election Day.
By Mail: Postmarked 28 days before Election Day.
Online: 5 days before Election Day.
You may register to vote in person at the polling place either during early voting or on Election Day. You must show a valid Nevada driver’s license or identification card at the polls to vote. If the identification does not have your current address, you must also show proof of residency.

New Hampshire

In Person: Election Day. Before Election Day, the last day to register is the last meeting of the Supervisors of the Checklist. The supervisors meet once, 6-13 days before Election Day. Check your town/city website, or call your clerk’s office for the date, time, and location of the Supervisor’s meeting.
By Mail: Received between 6 and 13 days before Election Day, depending on which town you live in.
Online: N/A
If you have missed the voter registration deadline, you can still register to vote and a cast a ballot at the same time on Election Day. Simply go to your regular polling place or early voting site to register and vote. Voters should bring a valid photo ID to vote. Voters that do not bring a valid photo ID execute a challenged voter affidavit form and will later receive a letter requesting confirmation they voted.

New Jersey

In Person: 21 days before Election Day.
By Mail: Postmarked 21 days before Election Day.
Online: N/A

New Mexico

In Person: Saturday before Election Day at the county clerk’s office. 28 days before Election Day otherwise.
By Mail: Postmarked 28 days before Election Day. However, an application may be accepted through the Friday following the deadline if the application is postmarked before the deadline.
Online: 28 days before Election Day.

New York

In Person: 25 days before Election Day.
By Mail: Postmarked 25 days before Election Day. Received 20 days before Election Day.
Online: 25 days before Election Day.

North Carolina

In Person: The Saturday before Election Day if voting early in person. Otherwise 25 days before Election Day.
By Mail: Postmarked 25 days before Election Day. If the postmark is missing or unclear, the application will still be processed if it is Received 20 days before Election Day.
Online: 25 days before Election Day.
If an individual becomes qualified to vote between the registration deadline (the 25th day before Election Day) and Election Day, then the individual may apply to register on Election Day by submitting an application to: a member of the county board of elections, the county director of elections, or the chief judge or a judge of the precinct in which the person is eligible to vote. If the application is approved, the individual may vote the same day. This applies to those individuals who recently become naturalized citizens of the U.S. or who have restored to citizenship after a felony conviction, but it does not apply to individuals who were 17 years old and reach 18 after the registration deadline.

North Dakota

In Person: North Dakota does not have voter registration. You simply need to bring valid proof of ID and residency to the polls in order to vote.
By Mail: North Dakota does not have voter registration. You simply need to bring valid proof of ID and residency to the polls in order to vote.
Online: N/A

Ohio

In Person: 30 days before Election Day, extended to the next business day if this falls on a Sunday.
By Mail: Postmarked 30 days before Election Day, extended to the next business day if this falls on a Sunday.
Online: 30 days before Election Day.

Oklahoma

In Person: 25 days before Election Day.
By Mail: Postmarked 25 days before Election Day.
Online: N/A

Oregon

In Person: 21 days before Election Day.
By Mail: Received 21 days before Election Day.
Online: 21 days before Election Day.

Pennsylvania

In Person: 15 days before Election Day.
By Mail: Received 15 days before Election Day.
Online: 15 days before Election Day.

Rhode Island

In Person: 30 days before Election Day.
By Mail: Postmarked 30 days before Election Day. If the postmark is missing or unclear and the registration form is received no later than 5 days after the deadline, the individual shall be presumed to have been registered by the deadline.
Online: 30 days before Election Day.
You may register in person on Election Day at your local Board of Canvassers, but only for presidential elections.

South Carolina

In Person: 30 days before Election Day. If this falls on a Sunday, the last preceeding day that the county board of voter registration and elections is open.
By Mail: Postmarked 30 days before Election Day, the deadline is extended to the next business day if this falls on a Sunday.
Online: 30 days before Election Day.

South Dakota

In Person: 15 days before Election Day.
By Mail: Received 15 days before Election Day.
Online: N/A

Tennessee

In Person: 30 days before Election Day. If this falls on a Sunday, 29 days before Election Day.
By Mail: Postmarked 30 days before Election Day, the deadline is extended to the next business day if this falls on a Sunday.
Online: 30 days before Election Day.

Texas

In Person: 30 days before Election Day. If this falls on a Sunday, 29 days before Election Day.
By Mail: Postmarked 30 days before Election Day, the deadline is extended to the next business day if this falls on a Sunday.
Online: N/A

Utah

In Person: 7 days before Election Day in clerk’s office, but may also register during early vote and on Election Day.However, individuals must vote by provisional ballot if they: (i) register online or in person between 7 and 14 days before Election Day, (ii) register during early voting, or (iii) register on Election Day.
By Mail: Postmarked 30 days before Election Day, the deadline is extended to the next business day if this falls on a Sunday.
Online: 7 days before Election Day.
As far as missing the deadline, Utah’s rules are pretty long, so you can find them here.

Vermont

In Person: Election Day (you must show proof of residence to register at the polls on Election Day).
By Mail: Received Election Day.
Online: Election Day. But if you register online the day before or on Election Day, your application may not be processed and your name may not appear on the checklist and you may be asked to fill out another application at the polls. To be sure your name appears on the checklist, please register by the Friday before the election.
You can register to vote on Election Day at your polling place. You must show proof of residence to register at the polls on Election Day.

Virginia

In Person: 22 days before Election Day. If this day falls on a Sunday, 21 days before Election Day.
By Mail: Postmarked 22 days before Election Day, the deadline is extended to the next business day if this falls on a Sunday.
Online: 22 days before Election Day.

Washington (state)

In Person: Election Day.
By Mail: Received 8 days before Election Day.
Online: 8 days before Election Day.
Individuals may register to vote in their county auditor’s office, the division of elections if in a separate city from the county auditor’s office, a voting center, or other location designated by the county auditor in his or her county of residence no later than 8:00pm on the day of the primary, special election, or general election. The registration process and requirements for registering on Election Day are the same as for filling out a paper registration form or the online form.

Washington, D.C.

In Person: Election Day, with proof of residency.
By Mail: Received 21 days before Election Day.
Online: 21 days before Election Day.
If you have missed the voter registration deadline, you can still register to vote and a cast a ballot at the same time during early voting or on Election Day. Simply go to your regular polling place or early voting site to register and vote. You will need to bring proof of residency, such as a government photo ID, or a copy of a current utility bill, bank statement, government check, or pay check that shows your current name and address.

West Virginia

In Person: 21 days before Election Day.
By Mail: Postmarked 21 days before Election Day.
Online: 21 days before Election Day.

Wisconsin

In Person: The Friday before Election Day.
By Mail: Postmarked the 3rd Wednesday before Election Day.
Online: 20 days before Election Day.
Individuals may register to vote in person at your polling place on Election Day. All individuals must provide both a proof of residency document and proof of identification to register on election Day.

Wyoming

In Person: 14 days before Election Day.
By Mail: Postmarked 14 days before Election Day. After this date, individuals may register to vote by mail if their registration is also accompanied by an absentee ballot request.
Online: N/A
Wyoming also a long set of rules if you miss the regular deadline, and you can find those here.

How to find out whether you’re registered to vote

This is something we’ve covered on a few occasions, but here’s a brief refresher:

If you’re currently in your home/voting state, just Google “am I registered to vote.” If you’re outside your home state, use “am I registered to vote in [insert state]” instead. That should bring you to your state’s site. When you get there, type in your name, address, and other info it needs to double-check your registration status and ballot preferences.

If you’re already listed as being an active voter, you’re all set. And if you voted in your state’s recent primary elections, you should already be registered. Otherwise (like if you haven’t voted in four or more years) your voting status may be listed as “inactive.” If you fall into this category, take a look at your state’s election office website to find out how to active your voting status (it differs from state-to-state).

What’s the difference between mail-in voting and absentee voting?

That’s a great question. Thanks to new legislation, court cases and COVID-19, state-level policies have been evolving. Though we’ve been able to request an absentee ballot for a while in all 50 states, they were only offered in situations when you were deployed with the US armed forces, going to be out of town on Election Day or sick. But because of the pandemic, many states have changed their policy to expand who is eligible for absentee voting, with 35 offering “no-excuse” absentee voting (which is exactly what it sounds like).

If you want to vote via absentee ballot, most states require that you request the ballot through your state election website (you can find yours here). But certain states will automatically send mail-in ballots to all registered voters. And this is where some of the confusion over what constitutes mail-in voting versus absentee voting comes from.

Essentially, they’re the same thing, but because absentee voting has been expanded so much, some election officials have started to refer to any situation (whether or not you have an excuse) where people are voting by mail, as “voting-by-mail” or using “mail-in ballots.” In states like California and Illinois, where all registered voters automatically receive ballots in the mail, this is sometimes referred to as “all-mail voting” or “universal vote by mail,” though people still have the option to vote in person at their local polling site.

Some information on the mail part of things

Speaking of which, if you’re iffy about mailing your ballot back to the board of elections, some states are offering ballot drop-off boxes where you can bring your completed ballot. If you are sending your ballot back via mail and the return envelope doesn’t come with pre-paid postage, don’t pay attention to social media rumors saying that you need two stamps or your ballot won’t be delivered. Reuters looked into this, and says it’s not true, and that the USPS will deliver your mail-in ballot to your local elections office even with insufficient postage.

Meanwhile, David A. Andelman, the executive director of The RedLine Project, wrote an op-ed for CNN suggesting that even if your mail-in ballot comes with pre-paid postage, you should still stick a 55-cent stamp on it. He writes: “A 55-cent stamp automatically overrides other lesser postage on the envelope and forces it to go first class—hopefully arriving in plenty of time to be counted.” Will this definitely help? At this point, given everything else happening with the USPS, that’s not entirely clear, but if nothing else, buying that stamp is technically another way of supporting the post office.

What is early voting?

That’s right: there’s another type of voting in the mix. So, “early voting” specifically refers to going to your local board of elections and filling out a ballot there, in person. Again, check you own state for specifics, but some allow early voting as early as 45 days before the election. Voting-by-mail does involve filling out your ballot and submitting it ahead of Election Day—which yes, is technically early. It’s not just you—it’s confusing. But we hope this helps.

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