The biggest election in our country is quickly approaching, and it's going to be different than any we've had in American history. Due to the coronavirus pandemic that is plaguing our society, states are working around the clock in order to have everything in order for this year's Presidential General Election on Tuesday, November 3rd.
As citizens, it is our duty to vote, but due to COVID-19, getting out to the polling places will be much more challenging. That is why this year many states are working hard to make sure voting by mail is accessible to all those who need it. We've recently touched upon the issues USPS is running into, and why it's so important to support them now more than ever in order to have our election run smoothly.
This means it's important to plan ahead of time if you are planning to vote by mail. Below is a complete breakdown of the logistics to make voting this year less daunting. We've included links to each states voting rules, as well as links to mail ballots rules for those states who don't give the option automatically.
Voting By State
Alabama
Deadline to Register : Monday, Oct. 19.
Can I register to vote and cast a my ballot on the same day?: NO
Can I vote without a photo ID?: NO
Can I vote by mail without an excuse? Yes, you can vote by mail if COVID-19 is your excuse.
Mail-in Ballot Request Deadline: Thursday, Oct. 29
Mail-in Ballot Drop-off Deadline: Must be postmarked by Monday, Nov. 2 and received by noon on Tuesday, Nov. 3.
Alaska
Deadline to Register: Sunday, Oct. 4
Can I register to vote and cast my ballot on the same day?: NO
Can I vote without a photo ID?: YES
Can I vote by mail without an excuse? YES
Mail-in Ballot Request Deadline: Sunday, Oct. 24
Mail-in Ballot Drop-off Deadline: Must be postmarked by Tuesday, Nov. 3 and received by Friday, Nov. 13.
Arizona
Deadline to Register: Monday, Oct. 5.
Can I register to vote and cast my ballot on the same day?: NO
Can I vote without a photo ID?: YES
Can I vote by mail without an excuse? YES
Mail-in Ballot Request Deadline: Automatically will receive
Mail-in Ballot Drop-off Deadline: Must be received by Tuesday, Nov. 3.
Arkansas
Deadline to Register: Monday, Oct. 5
Can I register to vote and cast my ballot on the same day?: NO
Can I vote without a photo ID?: NO
Can I vote by mail without an excuse? Yes, you can vote by mail if COVID-19 is your excuse.
Mail-in Ballot Request Deadline: Tuesday, Oct. 27
Mail-in Ballot Drop-off Deadline: Must be received by Tuesday, Nov. 3.
California
Deadline to Register: Monday, Oct. 19.
Can I register to vote and cast my ballot on the same day?: YES
Can I vote without a photo ID?: YES
Can I vote by mail without an excuse? YES
Mail-in Ballot Request Deadline: Automatically received.
Mail-in Ballot Drop-off Deadline: Must be postmarked on Tuesday, Nov. 3 and received by Friday, Nov. 20.
Colorado
Deadline to Register: Monday, Oct. 26
Can I register to vote and cast my ballot on the same day?: YES
Can I vote without a photo ID?: YES
Can I vote by mail without an excuse? YES
Mail-in Ballot Request Deadline: Automatically received
Mail-in Ballot Drop-off Deadline: Must be received by Tuesday, Nov. 3
Connecticut
Deadline to Register: Tuesday, Oct. 27
Can I register to vote and cast my ballot on the same day?: YES
Can I vote without a photo ID?: YES
Can I vote by mail without an excuse? Yes, you can vote by mail if COVID-19 is your excuse.
Mail-in Ballot Request Deadline: Automatically received
Mail-in Ballot Drop-off Deadline: Must be received by Tuesday, Nov. 3
Delaware
Deadline to Register: Sunday, Oct. 10
Can I register to vote and cast my ballot on the same day?: NO
Can I vote without a photo ID?: YES
Can I vote by mail without an excuse? Yes, you can vote by mail if COVID-19 is your excuse.
Mail-in Ballot Request Deadline: Automatically received
Mail-in Ballot Drop-off Deadline: Must be received by Tuesday, Nov. 3
District of Columbia
Deadline to Register: Tuesday, Oct. 13
Can I register to vote and cast my ballot on the same day?: YES
Can I vote without a photo ID?: YES
Can I vote by mail without an excuse? YES
Mail-in Ballot Request Deadline: Automatically received
Mail-in Ballot Drop-off Deadline: Must be postmarked on Tuesday, Nov. 3 and received by Tuesday, Nov. 10
Florida
Deadline to Register: Monday, Oct. 5
Can I register to vote and cast my ballot on the same day?: NO
Can I vote without a photo ID?: NO
Can I vote by mail without an excuse? YES
Mail-in Ballot Request Deadline: Saturday, Oct. 24
Mail-in Ballot Drop-off Deadline: Must be received by Tuesday, Nov. 3
Georgia
Deadline to Register: Monday, Oct. 5
Can I register to vote and cast my ballot on the same day?: NO
Can I vote without a photo ID?: NO
Can I vote by mail without an excuse? YES
Mail-in Ballot Request Deadline: Friday, Oct. 30
Mail-in Ballot Drop-off Deadline: Must be postmarked by Tuesday, Nov. 3 and received by Friday, Nov. 6
Hawaii
Deadline to Register: Monday, Oct. 5
Can I register to vote and cast my ballot on the same day?: YES
Can I vote without a photo ID?: YES
Can I vote by mail without an excuse? YES
Mail-in Ballot Request Deadline: Automatically received
Mail-in Ballot Drop-off Deadline: Must be received by Tuesday, Nov. 3
Idaho
Deadline to Register: Friday, Oct. 9
Can I register to vote and cast my ballot on the same day?: YES
Can I vote without a photo ID?: YES
Can I vote by mail without an excuse? YES
Mail-in Ballot Request Deadline: Friday, Oct. 23
Mail-in Ballot Drop-off Deadline: Must be received by Tuesday, Nov. 3
Illinois
Deadline to Register: Sunday, Oct. 18
Can I register to vote and cast my ballot on the same day?: YES
Can I vote without a photo ID?: YES
Can I vote by mail without an excuse? YES
Mail-in Ballot Request Deadline: Automatically received
Mail-in Ballot Drop-off Deadline: Must be postmarked by Tuesday, Nov. 3 and received by Tuesday, Nov. 17
Indiana
Deadline to Register: Monday, Oct. 5
Can I register to vote and cast my ballot on the same day?: NO
Can I vote without a photo ID?: NO
Can I vote by mail without an excuse? NO
Mail-in Ballot Request Deadline: Thursday, Oct. 22
Mail-in Ballot Drop-off Deadline: Must be received by Tuesday, Nov. 3
Iowa
Deadline to Register: Saturday, Oct. 24
Can I register to vote and cast my ballot on the same day?: YES
Can I vote without a photo ID?: YES
Can I vote by mail without an excuse? YES
Mail-in Ballot Request Deadline: Automatically received
Mail-in Ballot Drop-off Deadline: Must be postmarked by Monday, Nov. 2 and received by noon on Monday, Nov. 9
Kansas
Deadline to Register: Tuesday, Oct. 13
Can I register to vote and cast my ballot on the same day?: NO
Can I vote without a photo ID?: NO
Can I vote by mail without an excuse? YES
Mail-in Ballot Request Deadline: Tuesday, Oct. 27
Mail-in Ballot Drop-off Deadline: Must be postmarked by Tuesday, Nov. 3 and received by Friday, Nov. 6
Kentucky
Deadline to Register: Monday, Oct. 5
Can I register to vote and cast my ballot on the same day?: NO
Can I vote without a photo ID?: YES
Can I vote by mail without an excuse? Yes, you can vote by mail if COVID-19 if your excuse.
Mail-in Ballot Request Deadline: Tuesday, Oct. 27
Mail-in Ballot Drop-off Deadline: Must be postmarked by Tuesday, Nov. 3 and received by Friday, Nov. 6
Lousiana
Deadline to Register: Wednesday, Oct. 14
Can I register to vote and cast my ballot on the same day?: NO
Can I vote without a photo ID?: YES
Can I vote by mail without an excuse? NO
Mail-in Ballot Request Deadline: Friday, Oct. 30
Mail-in Ballot Drop-off Deadline: Must be received by Monday, Nov. 2
Maine
Deadline to Register: Tuesday, Oct. 13
Can I register to vote and cast my ballot on the same day?: YES
Can I vote without a photo ID?: YES
Can I vote by mail without an excuse? YES
Mail-in Ballot Request Deadline: Thursday, Oct. 29
Mail-in Ballot Drop-off Deadline:Must be received by Tuesday, Nov. 3
Maryland
Deadline to Register: Tuesday, Oct. 13
Can I register to vote and cast my ballot on the same day?: YES
Can I vote without a photo ID?: YES
Can I vote by mail without an excuse? YES
Mail-in Ballot Request Deadline: Automatically received
Mail-in Ballot Drop-off Deadline: Must be postmarked by Tuesday, Nov. 3 and received by Friday Nov. 13
Massachusetts
Deadline to Register: Saturday, Oct. 24
Can I register to vote and cast my ballot on the same day?: NO
Can I vote without a photo ID?: YES
Can I vote by mail without an excuse? YES
Mail-in Ballot Request Deadline: Automatically received
Mail-in Ballot Drop-off Deadline: Must be postmarked by Tuesday, Nov. 3 and received by Friday, Nov. 6
Michigan
Deadline to Register: Monday, Oct. 19
Can I register to vote and cast my ballot on the same day?: YES
Can I vote without a photo ID?: YES
Can I vote by mail without an excuse? YES
Mail-in Ballot Request Deadline: Automatically received
Mail-in Ballot Drop-off Deadline: Must be received by Tuesday, Nov. 3
Minnesota
Deadline to Register: Tuesday, Oct. 13
Can I register to vote and cast my ballot on the same day?: YES
Can I vote without a photo ID?: YES
Can I vote by mail without an excuse? YES
Mail-in Ballot Request Deadline: Monday, Nov. 2
Mail-in Ballot Drop-off Deadline: Must be postmarked by Tuesday, Nov. 3 and received by Tuesday, Nov. 10
Mississippi
Deadline to Register: Monday, Oct. 5
Can I register to vote and cast my ballot on the same day?: NO
Can I vote without a photo ID?: NO
Can I vote by mail without an excuse? NO
Mail-in Ballot Request Deadline: Monday, Nov. 3 by mail, Friday, Oct 30 in person
Mail-in Ballot Drop-off Deadline: Must be postmarked by Tuesday, Nov. 3 and received by Tuesday, Nov. 10
Missouri
Deadline to Register: Wednesday, Oct. 7
Can I register to vote and cast my ballot on the same day?: NO
Can I vote without a photo ID?: YES
Can I vote by mail without an excuse? Yes, you can vote by mail if COVID-19 is your excuse.
Mail-in Ballot Request Deadline: Wednesday, Oct. 21
Mail-in Ballot Drop-off Deadline: Must be received by Tuesday, Nov. 3
Montana
Deadline to Register: Monday, Oct. 5
Can I register to vote and cast my ballot on the same day?: YES
Can I vote without a photo ID?: YES
Can I vote by mail without an excuse? YES
Mail-in Ballot Request Deadline: Automatically received
Mail-in Ballot Drop-off Deadline: Must be received by Tuesday, Nov. 3
Nebraska
Deadline to Register: Friday, Oct. 16
Can I register to vote and cast my ballot on the same day?: NO
Can I vote without a photo ID?: YES
Can I vote by mail without an excuse? YES
Mail-in Ballot Request Deadline: Automatically received
Mail-in Ballot Drop-off Deadline: Must be received by Tuesday, Nov. 3
Nevada
Deadline to Register: Thursday, Oct. 29
Can I register to vote and cast my ballot on the same day?: YES
Can I vote without a photo ID?: YES
Can I vote by mail without an excuse? YES
Mail-in Ballot Request Deadline: Automatically received
Mail-in Ballot Drop-off Deadline: Must be postmarked by Tuesday, Nov. 3 and received by Tuesday, Nov. 10
New Hampshire
Deadline to Register: Wednesday, Oct. 21
Can I register to vote and cast my ballot on the same day?: YES
Can I vote without a photo ID?: YES
Can I vote by mail without an excuse? Yes, you can vote by mail if COVID-19 if your excuse.
Mail-in Ballot Request Deadline: Monday, Nov. 2
Mail-in Ballot Drop-off Deadline: Must be received by Tuesday, Nov. 3
New Jersey
Deadline to Register: Tuesday, Oct. 13
Can I register to vote and cast my ballot on the same day?: NO
Can I vote without a photo ID?: YES
Can I vote by mail without an excuse? YES
Mail-in Ballot Request Deadline: Automatically received
Mail-in Ballot Drop-off Deadline: Must be postmarked by Tuesday, Nov. 3 and received by Tuesday, Nov. 10. If no postmark, must be received by Thursday, Nov. 5.
New Mexico
Deadline to Register: Tuesday, Oct. 6
Can I register to vote and cast my ballot on the same day?: YES
Can I vote without a photo ID?: YES
Can I vote by mail without an excuse? YES
Mail-in Ballot Request Deadline: Friday, Oct. 30
Mail-in Ballot Drop-off Deadline: Must be received by Tuesday, Nov. 3
New York
Deadline to Register: Friday, Oct. 9
Can I register to vote and cast my ballot on the same day?: NO
Can I vote without a photo ID?: YES
Can I vote by mail without an excuse? Yes, you can vote by mail if COVID-19 is your excuse.
Mail-in Ballot Request Deadline: Tuesday, Oct. 27 by mail, Monday, Nov. 2 in person
Mail-in Ballot Drop-off Deadline: If postmarked by Tuesday, Nov. 3 must be received by Tuesday, Nov. 10. If not postmarked, must be received by Wednesday, Nov. 4
North Carolina
Deadline to Register: Friday, Oct. 9
Can I register to vote and cast my ballot on the same day?: YES
Can I vote without a photo ID?: YES
Can I vote by mail without an excuse? YES
Mail-in Ballot Request Deadline: Tuesday, Oct. 27
Mail-in Ballot Drop-off Deadline: Must be postmarked by Tuesday, Nov. 3 and received by Friday, Nov. 6
North Dakota
Deadline to Register: Tuesday, Nov. 3
Can I register to vote and cast my ballot on the same day?: YES
Can I vote without a photo ID?: YES
Can I vote by mail without an excuse? YES
Mail-in Ballot Request Deadline: Automatically received
Mail-in Ballot Drop-off Deadline: Must be postmarked by Monday, Nov. 2 and received by Monday, Nov. 9
Ohio
Deadline to Register: Monday, Oct. 5
Can I register to vote and cast my ballot on the same day?: NO
Can I vote without a photo ID?: YES
Can I vote by mail without an excuse? YES
Mail-in Ballot Request Deadline: Automatically received
Mail-in Ballot Drop-off Deadline: Must be postmarked by Monday, Nov. 2 and received by Friday, Nov. 13
Oklahoma
Deadline to Register: Friday, Oct. 9
Can I register to vote and cast my ballot on the same day?: NO
Can I vote without a photo ID?: YES
Can I vote by mail without an excuse? YES
Mail-in Ballot Request Deadline: Tuesday, Oct. 27
Mail-in Ballot Drop-off Deadline: Must be received by Tuesday, Nov. 3
Oregon
Deadline to Register: Tuesday, Oct. 13
Can I register to vote and cast my ballot on the same day?: NO
Can I vote without a photo ID?: YES
Can I vote by mail without an excuse? YES
Mail-in Ballot Request Deadline: Automatically received
Mail-in Ballot Drop-off Deadline: Must be received by Tuesday, Nov. 3
Pennsylvania
Deadline to Register: Monday, Oct. 19
Can I register to vote and cast my ballot on the same day?: NO
Can I vote without a photo ID?: YES
Can I vote by mail without an excuse? YES
Mail-in Ballot Request Deadline: Tuesday, Oct. 27
Mail-in Ballot Drop-off Deadline: Must be received by Tuesday, Nov. 3
Rhode Island
Deadline to Register: Sunday, Oct. 4
Can I register to vote and cast my ballot on the same day?: NO
Can I vote without a photo ID?: NO
Can I vote by mail without an excuse? YES
Mail-in Ballot Request Deadline: Wednesday, Oct. 14
Mail-in Ballot Drop-off Deadline: Must be received by Tuesday, Nov. 3
South Carolina
Deadline to Register: Sunday, Oct. 4
Can I register to vote and cast my ballot on the same day?: NO
Can I vote without a photo ID?: NO
Can I vote by mail without an excuse? NO
Mail-in Ballot Request Deadline: Friday, Oct. 30
Mail-in Ballot Drop-off Deadline: Must be received by Tuesday, Nov. 3
South Dakota
Deadline to Register: Monday, Oct. 19
Can I register to vote and cast my ballot on the same day?: NO
Can I vote without a photo ID?: YES
Can I vote by mail without an excuse? YES
Mail-in Ballot Request Deadline: Monday, Nov. 2
Mail-in Ballot Drop-off Deadline: Must be received by Monday, Nov. 2
Tennessee
Deadline to Register: Monday, Oct. 5
Can I register to vote and cast my ballot on the same day?: NO
Can I vote without a photo ID?: NO
Can I vote by mail without an excuse? No, you can't vote by mail without an excuse. But you can use COVID-19 as an excuse only if you have a medical condition that makes you vulnerable.
Mail-in Ballot Request Deadline: Tuesday, Oct. 27
Mail-in Ballot Drop-off Deadline: Tuesday, Nov. 3
Texas
Deadline to Register: Monday, Oct. 5
Can I register to vote and cast my ballot on the same day?: NO
Can I vote without a photo ID?: NO
Can I vote by mail without an excuse? NO
Mail-in Ballot Request Deadline: Friday, Oct. 23
Mail-in Ballot Drop-off Deadline: Must be postmarked by Tuesday, Nov. 3 and received by Wednesday, Nov. 4
Utah
Deadline to Register: Friday, Oct. 23
Can I register to vote and cast my ballot on the same day?: YES
Can I vote without a photo ID?: YES
Can I vote by mail without an excuse? YES
Mail-in Ballot Request Deadline: Automatically received
Mail-in Ballot Drop-off Deadline: Must be postmarked by Monday, Nov. 2 and received by Monday, Nov. 9
Vermont
Deadline to Register: Tuesday, Nov. 3
Can I register to vote and cast my ballot on the same day?: YES
Can I vote without a photo ID?: YES
Can I vote by mail without an excuse? YES
Mail-in Ballot Request Deadline: Automatically Received
Mail-in Ballot Drop-off Deadline: Must be received by Tuesday, Nov. 3
Virginia
Deadline to Register: Tuesday, Oct. 13
Can I register to vote and cast my ballot on the same day?: NO
Can I vote without a photo ID?: YES
Can I vote by mail without an excuse? YES
Mail-in Ballot Request Deadline: Friday, Oct. 23 by mail and online, Saturday, Oct. 31 in person
Mail-in Ballot Drop-off Deadline: Must be postmarked by Tuesday, Nov. 3 and received by Friday, Nov. 6
Washington
Deadline to Register: Monday, Oct. 26
Can I register to vote and cast my ballot on the same day?: YES
Can I vote without a photo ID?: YES
Can I vote by mail without an excuse? YES
Mail-in Ballot Request Deadline: Automatically received
Mail-in Ballot Drop-off Deadline: No deadline if postmarked on Tuesday, Nov. 3
West Virginia
Deadline to Register: Tuesday, Oct. 13
Can I register to vote and cast my ballot on the same day?: NO
Can I vote without a photo ID?: YES
Can I vote by mail without an excuse? Yes, you can vote by mail if COVID-19 is your excuse.
Mail-in Ballot Request Deadline: Wednesday, Oct. 28
Mail-in Ballot Drop-off Deadline: Must be postmarked by Tuesday, Nov. 3 and received by Monday, Nov. 9
Wisconsin
Deadline to Register: Wednesday, Oct. 14
Can I register to vote and cast my ballot on the same day?: YES
Can I vote without a photo ID?: NO
Can I vote by mail without an excuse? YES
Mail-in Ballot Request Deadline: Automatically received
Mail-in Ballot Drop-off Deadline: Must be received by Tuesday, Nov. 3
Wyoming
Deadline to Register: Tuesday, Oct. 20
Can I register to vote and cast my ballot on the same day?: YES
Can I vote without a photo ID?: YES
Can I vote by mail without an excuse? YES
Mail-in Ballot Request Deadline: Monday, Nov. 2
Mail-in Ballot Drop-off Deadline: Must be received by Monday, Nov. 2