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Summary Table 5: Applying for an Absentee Ballot, Including Third-Party Registration Drives

Updated July 12, 2022
Related Topic: Elections

How voters may submit absentee/mail ballot applications varies by state. All states will permit a voter to submit an application by mail (usually via an official application form, which may be available online for download) or in person at a local election official’s office. Many states also allow applications by email (usually with a scanned application). In general, most states require the request to be in writing. Some states offer additional options, such as online portals or requests by phone, as well.

As part of get-out-the-vote efforts or civic engagement programs, some organizations like to assist voters in requesting and returning absentee/mail ballot applications. Some states place restrictions on these activities by prohibiting third-party groups from distributing or collecting absentee/mail ballot applications, or designate deadlines or turnaround times for groups that do this. These are often meant to encourage third-party groups to submit completed applications in a timely manner to ensure that voters receive absentee/mail ballots in a timely manner.

In order to have enough time to receive an absentee/mail ballot application, verify the information and send the ballot out, election officials usually need to receive absentee ballot applications a week or more before the election. Some states have statutory deadlines for applications closer to the election, but if a voter applies too close it’s possible there may not be enough turnaround time to receive the ballot in the mail. In emergency cases, however, absentee ballots can be requested after these deadlines.

 
Applying for an Absentee Ballot
State Statute Eligibility Application Deadlines Application Submission Methods Third-Party Distribution & Collection Rules
Alabama Ala. Code §17-11-4 Excuse required. Five days before the election. Mail, in-person. Only the voter may deliver his or her own application in person; no restrictions on who may distribute applications.
Alaska Alaska Stat. §15.20.081 Anyone. Ten days before the election; 5 p.m. the day before the election for electronically delivered ballots.

Mail, in-person, email, fax, online.

 Third-party groups are restricted to supplying only their own affiliated members with an application. An application may be returned by a friend, relative or associate for delivery. An application may not be submitted to any intermediary that could control or delay the submission of the application or gather data on the applicant.
Arizona Ariz. Rev. Stat. § 16-542 Anyone. Eleven days before the election at 5 p.m. Mail, in-person, email, online, phone. Third parties may distribute/collect/submit applications. Applications collected by third parties must be submitted within six days of receipt, under penalty of $25 per day for each completed form withheld from submittal. Any person who knowingly fails to submit a completed early ballot request form before the submission deadline for the election immediately following the completion of the form is guilty of a class 6 felony.
Arkansas Ark. Code § 7-5-404 Excuse required. Seven days before the election for mail and electronic requests; the Friday before the election for in-person requests.

Mail, in-person, email, fax.

 Only a designated bearer, authorized agent or long-term care facility administrator of a voter may deliver absentee applications in person on behalf of voters.
California   Ballots are delivered to all voters. N/A N/A N/A
Colorado   Ballots are delivered to all voters. N/A N/A N/A
Connecticut Conn Gen Stat § 9-140 Excuse required. The day before the election. If faxing or emailing application, the original application form must be received by close of polls on Election Day or the mail-ballot will not count. Mail, in-person, email, fax. Third parties must register with town clerk before distributing five or more applications; unsolicited application mailings must meet certain criteria. No person shall pay or give any compensation to another person for distribution of absentee ballot applications.
Delaware 15 Del. Code § 5503 Anyone. The day before the election at noon.

Mail, in-person, email, fax, online.

 No restrictions specified.
District of Columbia D.C. Mun. Regs. Tit. 3, §720 Anyone. Fifteen days before the election; three days before the election for military and overseas voters.

Mail, in-person, email, fax.

 No restrictions specified.
Florida Fl. Stat. Ann. §101.62 Anyone. Ten days before the election at 5 p.m.

Mail, in-person, email, fax, online, phone.

 Any person or third party may collect and submit an absentee request form on behalf of a voter.
Georgia GA Code § 21-2-381, § 21-2-385 Anyone. Eleven days before the election. Mail, in-person, email, fax. Applications may be submitted by immediate family members only on behalf of a physically disabled voter; proof of relationship must be provided.
Hawaii   Ballots are delivered to all voters. N/A N/A N/A
Idaho Idaho Code § 34-1002 Anyone. Eleven days before the election at 5 p.m. for mailed-out ballots; the Friday before the election at 5 p.m. for in-person requests.

Mail, in-person, email, fax, online.

 No restrictions specified.
Illinois 10 ILCS 5/19-2 et seq. Anyone. Five days before the election for mailed-out ballots; the day before the election for in-person requests. Mail, in-person, email. Any person may produce, reproduce, distribute or return to an election authority the application for a vote-by-mail ballot. Applications must be returned to the election authority within seven days of receipt, or within two days of receipt if within two weeks of the election. Failure to turn over an application is a petty offense with a fine of $100 per application.
Indiana Ind. Code § 3-11-4-2, § 3-11-4-3 Excuse required. Twelve days before the election. Mail, in-person, email, fax, online.

A person handling another voter’s absentee application must indicate the date received by voter and deliver to county election board within 10 days or by the application deadline.
Iowa Iowa Code § 53.2 Anyone. Fifteen days before the election at 5 p.m.

Mail, in-person.

 Third parties, including parties, candidates and committees, may distribute and collect applications from voters but must return an application within 72 hours of completion.
Kansas KSA § 25-1122, § 25-1128 Anyone. The Tuesday before the election. Mail, in-person. 

Any person or third party may engage in distribution and collection of advance voting ballots but must deliver any

application within two days of completion.
Kentucky KRS § 117.085 Excuse required. Fourteen days before the election. Mail, in-person. A spouse, parent, children or third party may request an application and deliver it to the voter. Only the voter may hand-deliver a completed application back to the election official.
Louisiana LA Rev. Stat. § 18:1307 et seq. Excuse required. Four days before the election at 4:30 p.m. Mail, in-person, email, fax, online. No person, except the immediate family of any voter, shall hand deliver more than one voter's application to vote by mail.
Maine 21-A M.R.S.A. § 753-B Anyone. Three business days before the election. Mail, in-person, fax, phone, online. No restrictions on who may distribute, collect or solicit applications; immediate family members may make request on behalf of a voter.
Maryland MD Code, Election Law, § 9-305 Anyone. The Tuesday before the election for mailed-out or faxed ballots; the Friday before the election for ballots sent by internet; Election Day for in-person requests.

Mail, in-person, email, fax, online.

 No restrictions specified.
Massachusetts Mass. Gen. Law chap. 54 § 89 Anyone. By 5 p.m. four business days before the election. Mail, in-person, email, fax, online.

Family members of eligible absentee voters may apply for an absentee ballot on the voter’s behalf in person or by mail.
Michigan MI Comp L § 168.759 Anyone. The Friday before the election for mailed-out ballots; 4 p.m. on the day before Election Day for in-person requests. Mail, in-person, email, fax, online.

Only applicants, their immediate family or other household member may offer to return, agree to

return or solicit to return an application; violation of

this law is a misdemeanor.
Minnesota MN Stat § 203B.04 Anyone. The day before the election. Mail, in-person, email, fax, online.

No restrictions on who may distribute, collect or solicit applications. Must be returned to elections office within 10 days of completion.
Mississippi Miss. Code Ann. § 23-15-625, § 23-15-627 Excuse required. Not specified.

Mail, in-person, phone.

 Any person may apply for an absentee ballot on another voter’s behalf, but they must sign and print their name and address on the application. Only immediate family members of a voter may make application orally in person. No person may solicit ballot applications or absentee ballots for persons staying in any skilled nursing facility unless they are a family member or designated by the voter.
Missouri MO Rev Stat § 115.279 Anyone. The second Wednesday before the election; the day before the election at 5 p.m. for in-person requests. Mail, in-person, email, fax.

Application delivery may only be made in person by the voter or their guardian or a relative in the second degree by consanguinity or affinity.
Montana MCA 13-13-211, 13-13-212 Anyone. The day before the election at noon. Mail, in-person, email, fax. No restrictions specified.
Nebraska Neb. Rev. St. § 32-941 Anyone. The second Friday before the election.

Mail, in-person, email, fax.

 No restrictions specified.
Nevada   Ballots are delivered to all voters. N/A N/A N/A
New Hampshire N.H. Rev. Stat. §657:4, §657:15 Excuse required. The day before the election at 5 p.m. Mail, in-person, email, fax. Third parties may distribute and collect absentee applications so long as they use the prescribed form and identify themselves in communication with voter.
New Jersey N.J.S.A. 19:63-3 Anyone. Seven days before the election for mailed-out ballot; the day before the election at 3 p.m. for in-person requests.

Mail, in-person.

 No restrictions specified.
New Mexico N.M. Stat. Ann. § 1-6-4.3, § 1-6-5 Anyone. The Thursday before the election. Mail, in-person, online.

Third parties may distribute, collect or solicit

absentee applications from voters so long as they are submitted within 48 hours of completion. A person who collects applications for mailed ballots and fails to submit them is guilty of a petty misdemeanor. A person who intentionally alters another voter’s completed application is guilty of a fourth-degree felony.
New York McKinney's Election Law § 8-400 Excuse required. Fifteen days before the election for mailed-out ballots; the day before the election for in-person requests. Mail, in-person, email, fax, online. No restrictions specified.
North Carolina N.C.G.S.A. § 163-228, § 163-230.1 Anyone. The Tuesday before the election at 5 p.m. Mail, in-person, email, fax.

Any person or third party can distribute, collect

and submit an absentee request on behalf of a voter.
North Dakota NDCC § 16.1-07-05, § 16.1-07-07 Anyone. “In a timely manner” for mailed-out ballots; Election Day at 4 p.m. for in-person requests. Mail, in-person, email, fax.

No restrictions on who may distribute/collect/solicit applications; although, any mailings require approval

from county auditor.
Ohio R.C. § 3509.03 Anyone. Three days before the election at noon. Mail, in-person. No restrictions specified.
Oklahoma 26 Okl. St. Ann. § 14-103, § 14-105, § 14-115.1 Anyone. The third Monday before an election at 5 p.m.

Mail, in-person, email, fax, online

Prohibited to deliver an absentee application for

another voter unless they are an authorized agent of an

incapacitated voter.
Oregon   Ballots are delivered to all voters. N/A N/A N/A
Pennsylvania 25 P.S. §3146.2 et seq. Anyone. The Tuesday before the election at 5 p.m.

Mail, in-person, online.

 No restrictions specified.

Puerto Rico

 16 L.P.R.A. § Section 9.35.- Excuse required. Forty-five days before the election. Mail, in-person, email. No restrictions specified.
Rhode Island R.I. Gen. Laws §17-20-2.1 Excuse required. Twenty-one days before the election at 4 p.m.

Mail, in-person.

 No restrictions specified.
South Carolina S.C. Code § 7-15-330 Excuse required. Eleven days before the election at 5 p.m. Mail, in-person, phone. Only immediate family may request or submit an application on behalf of a voter; no third-party distribution is allowed.
South Dakota SDCL § 12-19-2, 12-19-2.1 Anyone. Day before the election. Mail, in-person. No restrictions specified.
Tennessee Tenn. Code Ann. § 2-6-202 Excuse required. Seven days before the election.

Mail, in-person, email, fax.

 Only one application may be furnished to a voter by the election commission; it is a class E felony to give an application to any person and a class A misdemeanor to give an unsolicited request for application to any person.
Texas V.T.C.A., Election Code §84.0041, §84.007 Excuse required. Eleven days before the election. Mail, in-person, email, fax. It is a felony to knowingly submit an application for a ballot by mail without the knowledge and authorization of the voter or altering the information provided by the voter on the application.
Utah   Ballots are delivered to all voters. N/A N/A N/A
Vermont   Ballots are delivered to all voters. (General elections only.) N/A N/A N/A

Virgin Islands

 18 V.I.C. § 664 Excuse required. Fourteen working days before the election; the Monday before the election for in-person requests. Mail, in-person, email. Anyone may deliver an application on the voter’s behalf; no restrictions on who may distribute applications.
Virginia VA Code Ann. § 24.2-701 Excuse required. Eleven days before the election. Mail, in-person, email, fax, online. No restrictions specified.
Washington   Ballots are delivered to all voters. N/A N/A N/A
West Virginia W. Va. Code, §3-3-5 Excuse required. Six days before the election. Mail, in-person, email, fax. Only the voter may apply for an absentee ballot in person.
Wisconsin W.S.A. 6.86 Anyone. Five days before the election at 5 p.m. Mail, in-person, email, fax, online. No restrictions specified.
Wyoming WY Stat § 22-9-104 et seq. Anyone. The day before the election. Mail, in-person, phone. No restrictions specified.

Note: This page should be used for general informational purposes only.

Our organization does not run elections and cannot provide legal advice. If you are a voter looking for assistance, please contact your local election official. You can find your local election official's website and contact information by using this database from the US Vote Foundation.

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