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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.
This table is part of NCSL’s Voting Outside the Polling Place report.
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.
At least 18 states, however, offer an electronic alternative: online portals through which a voter can request an absentee/mail ballot. Depending on the state, this option may not need authorizing legislation, and can be adopted administratively.
Table 6: States with Online Absentee Ballot Application Portals
| State |
Details |
| Alaska |
To use the Online Absentee Ballot System, you must have a valid Alaska driver's license or state ID card and the information you enter when applying must match the information on your Division of Motor Vehicles (DMV) record. If you do not have a valid Alaska driver's license or state ID, or your information cannot be validated, you may select to apply using a paper absentee ballot application form. |
| Arizona |
Allows updates to registration, ballot requests, and sign up for the state's Permanent Early Voting List. |
|
Delaware
DE ST TI 15 § 5503
|
Offers both a downloadable form and an online portal for requesting ballots. |
|
Florida
FL ST 101.62 |
Online requests for vote-by-mail ballots can be made through county supervisor of elections offices. The secretary of state’s website indicates that all counties permit voters to request absentee ballots online. It is unclear if all counties are required to offer this option, or if it is up to the county whether to offer online vote-by-mail requests. Florida code (cited in left column) says supervisors must accept requests for vote-by-mail “in person or in writing,” but is silent about online requests.
|
|
Idaho
I.C §34-1002(7) and I.C. 28-50-102(8)
|
Offers both a downloadable form and an online portal for requesting ballots. |
| Indiana |
Allows updates to registration and absentee ballot requests. |
|
Kentucky
KRS § 117.085
|
Voters must provide personally identifiable information for verification, and the portal will transmit the absentee/mail ballot request to the appropriate county clerk. |
|
Louisiana
LA R.S. 18:1307(B)(1)(d)
|
Permits online requests for absentee ballots if the voter has a Louisiana-issued driver’s license or identification card, plus an eligible reason to request an absentee ballot.
|
|
Maine
ME ST T. 21-A § 753-A(6)
|
State law requires clerks to accept online requests for absentee ballots, and for the secretary of state to design and offer a uniform online request form. In practice, the secretary of state offers an online portal for all Maine voters; some county voter registration offices may also offer concurrent online request portals. |
|
Maryland
MD ELEC LAW § 9-305
|
Permits online requests for vote by mail if voter has an ID (driving or otherwise) issued by the state’s Vehicle Administration. Exceptions for UOCAVA voters. |
| Michigan |
To use the online application portal, voters need to be registered in Michigan and have a valid driver's license or state ID. |
|
Minnesota
MN ST § 203B.04 |
Permits online requests for absentee ballots for some elections through the secretary of state’s office. Either a Minnesota driver’s license, ID card or last four digits of Social Security number required. For other elections, voters must fill out a paper application and return it to their county election office by mail, fax or email. |
|
New Mexico
N.M. Stat. Ann. § 1-6-4
|
Permits online requests for absentee ballots. A Social Security number and either a New Mexico driver's license or ID card are required. |
|
New York
NY § 8-408
|
Permits online requests for absentee ballots through the electronic absentee ballot application transmittal system. |
|
Oklahoma
OK ST 26 § 14-105
|
Permits online requests for absentee ballots. Both (i) an Oklahoma-issued driver’s license/ID card and (ii) the last four digits of voter’s Social Security number are required.
|
|
Pennsylvania
PA ST 25 P.S. § 3146.2(k)
|
Permits online requests for absentee ballots. Either a Pennsylvania-issued driver’s license or ID card is required.
|
|
Virginia
VA ST § 24.2-701
|
Permits online requests for absentee ballots through the Department of Elections’ voter portal. |
| Wisconsin |
Allows absentee ballot requests and ballot tracking. |