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This resource is intended to reflect permanent state law. Many states have made changes to election policies that will only be in effect for the 2020 election. Please see Absentee and Mail Voting Policies in Effect for the 2020 Election for more information.
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.
The ways in which voters may submit absentee/mailed ballot applications vary among the states. All states will permit a voter to submit an application by mail (usually via an approved form) or in person at a local election official’s office. Many states require the application or request to be in writing, either via an official application form or by written request in the mail or by email.
Some states, however, offer an electronic alternative: online or web-based portals through which a voter can request an absentee ballot. The first table below highlights the 14 states that, as of July 2020, NCSL is aware of that provide web-based absentee applications. The second table includes states that allow voters to download and complete an absentee ballot application and then return a signed and scanned application via email.
Depending on the state, these options may not need authorizing legislation, and can be adopted administratively.
Table 6a: States with Web-Based Absentee Ballot Applications
| 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. |
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Delaware
DE ST TI 15 § 5503
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Offers both a downloadable form and an online portal for requesting ballots. |
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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.
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Idaho
I.C §34-1002(7) and I.C. 28-50-102(8)
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Offers both a downloadable form and an online portal for requesting ballots. |
| Indiana |
Allows updates to registration and absentee ballot requests. |
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Louisiana
LA R.S. 18:1307(B)(1)(d)
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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.
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Maine
ME ST T. 21-A § 753-A(6)
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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. |
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Maryland
MD ELEC LAW § 9-305
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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. |
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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. |
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New Mexico
N.M. Stat. Ann. § 1-6-4
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Permits online requests for absentee ballots. A Social Security number and either a New Mexico driver's license or ID card are required. |
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Oklahoma
OK ST 26 § 14-105
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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.
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Pennsylvania
PA ST 25 P.S. § 3146.2(k)
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Permits online requests for absentee ballots. Either a Pennsylvania-issued driver’s license or ID card is required.
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Vermont
VT ST T. 17 § 2531
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Permits online requests for absentee ballots through the secretary of state’s “My Voter” portal, in addition to other voter services. |
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Virginia
VA ST § 24.2-701
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Permits online requests for absentee ballots through the Department of Elections’ voter portal. |
| Wisconsin |
Allows absentee ballot requests and ballot tracking. |
Table 6b: States with Other Online Options for Absentee Ballot Applications
| State |
Details |
|
District of Columbia
DC Code § 1-1001.09(b)(2)
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Offers an online form that must be downloaded and filled out (by hand or in fillable PDF). However, this form need not be physically mailed in. Voters may email a scan of the completed request form to a specified email address. |
| Massachusetts |
Applications may be submitted in person, by mail, fax, or by e-mail; however, the local election official must be able to view the signature of the person requesting the ballot. If the application is being submitted by e-mail, a scanned copy of the request must be submitted. |
| Missouri |
Voters can request absentee ballots from their local election authority in person, by mail, by fax or by e-mail. |
| North Carolina |
For the November 2020 general election, completed State Absentee Ballot Request Forms may be emailed, faxed or hand-delivered to the voter's county board of elections. |
| North Dakota |
Absentee ballot applications are to be delivered to the appropriate election official by mail, in person, by fax or as a scanned attachment to an email. |
| Tennessee |
You must submit a written request containing the information below to your local county election commission office by the seventh day before Election Day. You can use the absentee ballot request form to make sure all required information is provided.
You can submit your written request for an absentee ballot by mail, fax, or e-mail. If e-mailing your request, be sure the attached document contains the information below and your scanned signature.
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West Virginia
WV ST § 3-3-5
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Offers an online form that must be downloaded and filled out (by hand or in fillable PDF). However, this form need not be physically mailed in. Voters may email a scan of the completed request form to their county clerk’s office. |
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Wisconsin
WI ST 6.86(1)(a)(6)
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Offers an online form that must be downloaded and filled out (by hand or in fillable PDF). However, this form need not be physically mailed in. Voters may email a scan of the absentee ballot plus proof of photo ID to their county registrar. |
| Wyoming |
Voters may request an absentee ballot by email. |