How to Request an Absentee (Mail-In) Ballot Online in Your State

An absentee ballot — also called a mail-in ballot — lets you vote in an election without going to a polling place in person. Instead, your ballot is mailed to your home, you fill it out. And you send it back by mail or drop it off at an official drop box or election office.

Most states now allow any registered voter to request an absentee ballot for any reason. A few states require you to provide a reason (such as illness, disability, or travel), but the majority of states have no-excuse absentee voting. Some states, like Oregon, Washington, and Colorado, automatically send a mail-in ballot to every registered voter without you needing to request one.

The process for requesting a ballot varies by state, but the general steps are similar. You usually fill out a short application — either online, by mail, or in person at your local election office — and provide your name, address, date of birth, and a signature. Once your application is approved, your ballot arrives by mail, usually two to four weeks before Election Day.

It is important to submit your request early. Most states have a deadline to request an absentee ballot that falls one to two weeks before Election Day. If you miss that deadline, you will need to vote in person at your assigned polling place instead.

Always use official government websites when requesting a ballot online. The correct site for your state is listed at vote.gov, which is the official US government voting information website run by the General Services Administration.