How to Vote by Mail

Voting by mail allows you to vote from home instead of going to a polling place. Your local election official’s office will send you a mail-in ballot or absentee ballot. When you receive your ballot, it will also include directions and an envelope to return your ballot. It is important to follow the directions on your ballot to correctly fill it out and sign it to ensure your vote is counted.

Depending on your state’s rules, you may need to request your ballot or a ballot may be automatically sent to you.

Depending on your state’s rules, you may need to request your ballot or a ballot may be automatically sent to you.

1. First, make sure you’re registered to vote and check to make sure your voter registration is updated. You can register and update your voter registration at whenweallvote.org/register./li>
2. It’s important to note that, depending on your state, you may have to provide an “excuse” for why you are applying to vote by mail. Thirty-six states and  Washington, D.C. allow “no excuse” absentee voting, which means anyone who is eligible to vote qualifies to apply for an absentee or mail-in ballot./li>
   • It’s important to note that, depending on your state, you may have to provide an “excuse” for why you are applying to vote by mail. Thirty-six states and  Washington, D.C. allow “no excuse” absentee voting, which means anyone who is eligible to vote qualifies to apply for an absentee or mail-in ballot.
   • If you live in a state that has universal vote-by-mail and you are a registered voter, you may not need to request a ballot and one will be automatically sent to you.  Use our Voter Resources Hub to learn more about your state’s rules.
3. Once your application is approved, you will receive your ballot in the mail. You can take your time to research candidates and issues on the ballot before casting your vote. Once your ballot is complete, you must return it before your state’s deadline. Be sure to carefully read and follow all of the instructions on your ballot to ensure your vote is counted.

Yes. Voting by mail is a secure system that provides you with more time and flexibility to cast your ballot in case you can’t make it to the polls on Election Day. There is absolutely  no evidence of an increase in “voter fraud” with vote by mail. 

Many states allow you to track your ballot so you can make sure it arrives on time. 

Source: Brennan Center for Justice

There are many rumors and false reports that voting by mail will lead to voter fraud – that is not true. According to the Brennan Center for Justice, “States have multiple tools to address valid security concerns and protect election integrity when it comes to mail ballots. And recent technologies and strategies have significantly enhanced the security of mail balloting.”

Source: Brennan Center for Justice

The advantages to voting by mail include voting from the comfort of your own home and taking your time to fill out your ballot.

Some states will provide envelopes with pre-paid postage while others require you to purchase stamps. You can learn more information by heading to our Voter Resource Hub. If you need to purchase stamps, you can pick them up at your local post office or buy them online. Also, many grocery stores and pharmacies sell them at the cash register.

Each state is different when it comes to voting by mail deadlines. Some states require your ballot to be postmarked by the deadline, while others may require it to be received by the deadline. We recommend mailing your ballot in as soon as possible. In some states, you can also drop off your ballot at secure locations, such as dropboxes, polling sites or local election offices.

If you have not received your mail-in ballot after submitting your application, you should contact your local election office. Find more information about voting in your state in our Voter Resources Hub.

If your state requires an application for a mail-in ballot, you may be able to apply online. Some states allow you to request it online while others require you to fill out an application form by hand and mail, fax, or deliver the form in person to your local election office. Request Your Ballot >>

When We All Vote partners with the national, nonpartisan Election Protection coalition to ensure all voters have an equal opportunity to vote and have that vote count. Made up of more than 100 local, state, and national partners, Election Protection uses a wide range of tools and activities to protect, advance, and defend the right to vote.

Election Protection provides Americans from coast to coast with comprehensive information and assistance at all stages of voting – from registration, to vote-by-mail and early voting, to casting a vote at the polls, to overcoming obstacles to their participation. Election Protection helps voters make sure their vote is counted through a number of resources, including:

• A suite of voter helplines administered by coalition members:
  • English: 866-OUR-VOTE – Lawyers’ Committee for Civil Rights Under Law
  • Spanish/English: 888-VE-Y-VOTA – NALEO Educational Fund
  • Arabic/English: 844-YALLA-US – Arab American Institute (AAI)
  • Asian Languages/English: 888-API-VOTE – APIAVote & Asian Americans Advancing Justice (AAJC)
• Digital outreach tools: including 866ourvote.org, @866ourVote, and facebook.com/866OurVote